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“Not yet. We’ve talked about her. Oliver’s going to tell her about us today.”
“I hate to say it. Are you sure this is what you want? I know you’ve loved Oliver your whole life. But he was with her for a few years. They were engaged. Heck, I didn’t even know they had broken up.”
I want to tell her everything, explain how they ended years ago, but can’t. It wasn’t my relationship.
Percy shifts in her seat to face me, and I spare her a glimpse. Her usually happy face and twinkling green eyes sober.
“Wren, when dealing with Dot, it doesn’t matter that Oliver says it’s over or that the two of you want to be together. The only thing that matters to that woman is what she wants. You better be careful.”
Chapter5
Oliver
My chest aches, stagnant air burning my lungs, as I slide the truck into park and jump out in front of the Winslow Nest, my custom furniture business. Dot’s car is here.
We own and work at the Nest together, even if I’m the talent behind the business. Today’s the one day a week she works, if you can call it that. She more or less checks the payroll and invoices I complete and files them away. That’s it.
I suppose I should be relieved to no longer have to waste my time looking for her, yet dread weighs me down. Her parents helped bring the Nest to life by loaning me the start-up money—all of which I’ve paid back. That’s how her name wound up on the papers; it was one of Bill Malone’s stipulations.
At the time, I foolishly didn’t think much of it. All I cared about was being that much closer to making my dream a reality. Some might think that’s why I was with Dot. It wasn’t.
Though, my reasons were messed up. At the time, when I agreed to the terms of the contract, I figured her father was protecting his interests and his daughter. It made sense and seemed fair.
Besides, I always planned to pay off the loan as quickly as possible and remove Dot from the business. She claimed to have no problem with that and said she wasn’t interested in the business. Boy, how things changed.
She never did relinquish her title as co-owner, and I’m not blameless. Partly because my lazy ass never got around to it and partly because of my blind trust that when the time came, Dot would willingly sign away her rights to the Winslow Nest.
That’s not how things went down.
Trepidation shadows my every step toward the entrance. Not too long after we got together, every once in a while, Dot would let her façade slip and I’d see beneath the glossy blonde hair, over-the-top smile, and big, shiny anime-like eyes to the malevolence lurking within.
As I near the door to the large, rustic shed-like structure, more a workshop and small office than a store, my phone pings with a text. It’s Wren, most likely in Prospect or on her way back.
Wren: I forgot that I’ll be home late tonight. Yoga at the library. Help yourself to whatever’s in the fridge. xo
Home.
We haven’t had the talk about living arrangements, yet after one night together, she’s already calling her placemyhome.
Dot has the house I built, and I won’t take it from her. It was never my dream home, more an opportunity to hone my skills as a carpenter. It’s one less thing to fight over by giving it to Dot. And until Wren, I wasn’t worried about where I’d live since I was leaving town, but that’s all changed.
Now that I’m staying, I will have to find a place of my own. I have a few options. Eddie, my older brother, and then there’s this place. The Nest has a small loft, big enough for a double bed and maybe a chest of drawers. That is if Dot doesn’t kick up a fuss.
My thumbs hover over the phone screen and I contemplate my reply. Something sexy and funny—I love to make Wren laugh. The memory of the melodic twinkle of her joy flits through me, filling me completely. She laughed a lot last night. We both did.
Last night. Wow. It was unbelievable and all I ever wanted. I could easily get used to living with her, spending every spare minute with her.
Are we moving too fast? I don’t think so, but I’ve also spent most of my life wanting to be with her.
I meant what I said last night. I plan to marry her.
I quickly type out a response,If you’re doing yoga, can I watch?then drop my phone into my back pocket.
At that same moment, Dot pokes her head out the door. “What are you doing here? I thought you left town.” Her tone is sweeter than honey, and immediately, the hairs on the back of my neck prickle as she smiles and holds the door open for me.
“The Nest is mine. I’m not going anywhere.” I deliver the news in a deliberately neutral voice, not wanting to incite her just yet. That will come once she hears what else I have to say.
She grabs my arm and leans in as if we’re a loving couple. “You’re staying? Does this mean you’ve finally come to your senses?”
