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“I’d say we are dating now,” he said. “I’ve obviously changed my mind there.”
She giggled. “Very true.”
“And I haven’t promised anything.”
“No,” she said. “You haven’t.”
“I think I’ve been very clear about the fact that I don’t want you to try to be someone you’re not. I often wonder if you are acting a certain way because you think I want that. That maybe you’re afraid to act or be the way you want.”
She frowned. “I think it’s human nature to not always want to let loose with someone.”
“No,” he said. “Or not to an extent. You told me weeks ago that you were trying not to get upset over me working all the time. Or the robbery. I guess that is what made me bring this up.”
“Oh,” she said. “Just because I feel that way doesn’t mean you need it on your shoulders. It’s my cross to bear, not yours. Do you want to worry about me worrying when you’re working? You don’t need that on your shoulders any more than Luke does when Heather worries. She doesn’t let Luke know she’s worried.”
“He knows though,” he said.
“Just like I’m sure you know I worry too, but if I was crying and begging you not to go or texting you nonstop to see if you were okay, wouldn’t that annoy or distract you?”
It’d piss him off too, but he wouldn’t say that. “Do you want to do those things?” he asked instead.
“Nope,” she said simply. “I don’t have the time. I’m working too.”
He did believe her. She’d never lied to him once and he knew how hard she worked and how much pride she took in her job.
“Okay,” he said. “Are things going to slow down now for you with the new person starting soon?”
“Yes and no. I won’t be doing as much marketing. I hated to do the newsletter and fliers. I never really touched on social media. Poppy and Lily did it. I think Sage is going to take over some of that. Or at least to start. She’ll be doing all sorts of ads and promos. I’ll be working with her though. I was worried they’d give the store setup to her.”
“Store setup?” he asked.
“When I design the store for events and holidays. I enjoy that as part of my job. I didn’t want to lose it. Lily said I do such a great job and she never considered taking it away.”
“You spoke up for yourself?” he asked.
“I did. I can do that in my job. I wanted to know. Sage and I will work together. She’s starting April first and moving into Poppy’s townhouse. Guess everything worked out the way it should have.”
“Don’t Daisy and Heather live there now?” he asked. Though he knew Luke had been house hunting. Maybe he heard they found something. He didn’t keep track of those kinds of details.
“Heather and Luke are closing on their house in two days,” she said. “So she’s going to move in with him then. And with Daisy getting engaged a few weeks ago, she’s moving in with Theo. They are slowly moving Daisy’s stuff in when they have time. The furniture in the place was mainly Poppy’s and I think most of it is staying. At least last I heard other than beds.”
“Then it does sound as if it’s working out,” he said. “I’m glad.”
“You’re awful chatty tonight,” she said.
He shrugged. “Just conversation.”
“And you don’t normally do that.”
She had a point. Thankfully their food came out then and they could start eating.
Ivy had continued to just chat about small things like she normally did. He did a lot of head nodding or grunting. Likehenormally did.
“Brooks? Is that you? Oh my God. Perfect luck for me.”
He turned his head and couldn’t believe Sophie Cambridge just walked over to his table.
He hadn’t seen her since they dated when he started working as a security guard.
