Page 26 of I'm Yours

“Ooh. She really pulled out all the stops, huh?”

“She did.”

“Well, even if I hate the thought of my mother dancing on a pole, I’m glad she could be there to help.”

“She’s really wonderful, Reed. Always has been.”

“Yeah. She is. Not that she likes the reason we’re back, but she’s in her glory having Emmy and I live with her.”

“She’s missed you.” I bite my lip, knowing I just let him know how much time his mom and I spent together while he was away. But when I chance a look at him out of the corner of my eye, he only nods, as if he knew already.

“I uh…” He clears his throat and hesitates to say whatever he’s about to say. It makes my heart rate pick up speed. “I hear that you, uh, helped her with Emmy’s room.”

I was wrong.Nowmy heart rate picks up. I also suddenly feel a little nauseous and know my cheeks are burning red. I knew what I was doing when I went to Lindsay’s house and painted a little girl’s room. She never said who the room was for but it’s not as if there was any other reason. Lindsay couldn’t wait for Reed and Emerson to move back to Lakeside and the fact that they were moving in with her and Alan first made her downright giddy.

“Yes?” I know my voice rises to make it sound more of a question than a statement. I don’t know how he’ll take this, though. I helped decorate his daughter’s bedroom and I’m afraid that was a huge overstep on my part.

“Are you asking me?” He raises his eyebrows and I watch his dark eyes follow my hands. Back and forth, back and forth, I rub and rub my sweaty palms against the soft, smooth cotton of my pants.

“I’m not sure?”

He barks out a laugh and nudges my knee with his. “It’s okay. It was weird when Mom told me, but it’s a beautiful room and she loves it.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“When did you start painting and working on furniture?”

“A few years ago. It started because I bought a home and surprisingly needed furniture.”

He scoffs. “For real? Furniture in a home?”

“I know! I was surprised, too. So anyway, I didn’t really have a lot of extra money for little things like end tables and nightstands and dressers so I decided to find what I could in thrift stores. It’s fun. I don’t do a lot but I saved a ton of money refinishing it myself. And painting, too.” I shrug and hop down from the tailgate, wiping my butt from any dust stuck to the material.

Reed gets down and turns to face me. “I think that’s great.”

“Thanks.”

“I think…” He runs a hand through his short hair and scratches his nose. “Shit.” He laughs but it’s not full of humor.

“What?” I laugh, too, but it’s more at him than knowing what he’s struggling with. He looks frustrated but not with me, which I’m taking as a positive sign. I take his distraction as a chance to really look at him. Hereallyis handsome. More handsome than I ever could have imagined he’d become. And when he smiles… holy moly. My stomach clenches. Especially right now with that smile aimed at me.

“I’m sure it’s dumb but… I think I’m jealous.”

“Jealous? Of what?”

“My mom.”

“You want me to teach you pole dancing, too?” I tease.

His white teeth tug on his bottom lip andholy moly. I haven’t felt that excited feeling for so long but a short amount of time in his presence has my senses firing. Specifically, one. “Well, I used to slide down the pole quite a bit when I was a fireman but no, not that. Though, I’d be interested in seeing it happen.”

I have no response. I do, but it’s not appropriate. Not for two people who used to be best friends and are now strangers. I wouldn’t mind asking if he happens to have any pictures of him dressed as a fireman, too.

“What are you jealous of your mom about?”

He shrugs and looks a little uncomfortable when he admits, “She knows everything about you. She didn’t miss anything. I know… nothing. And you, I think you’re at an advantage here because you know so much about my past twelve years.”

“I’m sorry.”

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