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“Oh, I know. That’s why I read everything before I sign it,” he adds, like the jerk he is.
“Why is it that out of the eight hundred people in this town, I’m stuck with you?”
“Don’t worry. I’m working on that,” he says, checking his phone.
“Oh, how about Levi? He seems friendly,” I tease.
Hitting his other brother’s name on the screen, he brings the phone to his ear. “Yo. Give me Charlie’s number.” There’s a beat before he continues, “Because I need it, jackass. You sure as hell never plan to use it. Cough it up.” An eye roll. “It’s for Pepper.” He jots a number down on a napkin with a grin. “Thanks.”
“Who’s Charlie? And why would I need his number?”
“Charlie’s a chick. Like you. Well, not like you, she’s respectful and sweet. You’re stubborn and self-centered.”
I purse my lips at him. “Does she have manners? Because then she really would be the exact opposite of both of us.”
“Charlie!” he says into the phone. “It’s Chase,” he adds, sounding slightly offended. “Doin’ anything now?” A smile creeps onto his lips and it’s probably the first one I’ve seen—but it’s not sweet, it’s almost devious. “From my brother. Anyway, I’ve got a…favor, to ask.”
I reach across the table, gripping his shirt. He covers the mic of his phone with his palm before I speak. “I swear to God, if you ask her to babysit someone for you, I’ll—”
“You’ll what? Run again?”
I clench my jaw. “I told you, I don’t need anyone’s pity. It’s how I left here and it’s not how I want to return.”
“Relax,” he whispers. “Jesus.” He takes his hand off his phone. “An old friend is in town. She needs a few things. I’m a little tied up today. Take her to the mall for me?” He clicks the speaker and holds the phone between us.
“The mall? Take your floozy to the mall yourse—wait a minute. Did you say an old friend? Who?”
“It’s a surprise.”
I hear Charlie sigh. “Are you giving her your credit card?”
“Yes.”
“On my way. Wait, I’m not going to—”
“I know. We’re at the bakery, not the Inn.”
She mutters something about knowing she’s going to regret this and hangs up.
“What the hell was that? First, I don’t plan on sharing my embarrassing story with anyone—and I don’t know what you take me for, but I don’t need your money. I have my own…I just can’t get to it.”
He flexes his jaw. “I’m not doing it for you. I’m just trying to save any more curtains and linens from being turned into your new wardrobe.”
I fold my arms and lean back in my chair. “I don’t need your money. I have a plan to withdraw from my account.”
He leans back. “Oh, I’d love to hear this.”
“I’ll take the bus to Denver, go to the nearest ATM, do a withdrawal and come back.”
“Brilliant. A girl supposedly from New York suddenly in Denver—why don’t you just draw your ex a map?”
“I’m not taking your money.”
“And I’m not giving you money. You’ll work for it.”
I jerk in horror. “I’m sorry—what?”
“Pipe down, Pepper. I meant the cottage. I need some…help with it.”
