Page 17 of Worth the Risk
Isaw the moving truck in front of the house next door this morning, Rhett’s house now. It’s going to take some time to get used to the fact that he’s going to be my neighbor. I’ve touched the spot where he did with his thumb more times than I care to admit in the last 10 hours. I shake off the temptation to do it again and turn towards my oven when the timer goes off. I take out the baking dish, setting it next to the other dishes I’m taking today. I’m bringing a dozen cinnamon rolls, a chocolate raspberry cake, and two loaves of bread. I owe so much to Tom and Mary. I always like to pay them back, even in some small way, whenever I can. Baked goods are also my love language. I have a ball cap that says just that to prove it. I chuckle to myself remembering the gift from Mare when I opened the bakery.
I check the clock and it’s 10:15. Mary said 11:30, so I don’t have any extra time. I rush through my shower and throw on one of my sundresses. I like this one. It’s white with little yellowdaisies all over it. It hangs past my knees but has a cute slit up the left leg. I decide to fill my brows and put on mascara, and add some chapstick. I apply lots of product to my wet hair then brush it out, add more and scrunch it slightly and there’s just enough time to diffuse it. Curly hair is a process and I haven’t been taking care of mine very well lately. Maybe I’ll see if Mare wants to do hair masks tomorrow night since we’re going out for my birthday this weekend. She was on call last night so she still hasn’t answered my previous four texts.
Once my hair is just about dry I call it good. Spritz myself with my favorite perfume and lace up my sneakers. I walk out onto my porch with my arms full of food that I have to set down to lock up. When I turn around Rhett’s truck is pulling up. What is he doing here? He gets out and comes up my walkway.
“Hey…what are you doing here?” He smiles and my heart pounds. Will that ever go away? I hope so. He clears his throat as he takes my front steps two at a time.
“I just thought you might want a ride. We’re both going to the same place.” He picks up the tote bags of food from the porch. “Are those cinnamon rolls?!” he looks so excited. I giggle and his head snaps up. He just stares at my face, up to my hair, then down my body till he gets to the slit in my dress that exposes my leg. He visibly swallows and I blush.
“They are.” Why does my voice sound like that? All breathy? I inwardly cringe.
“Alright, let’s get going. Tom and Mary are easy going but they do like to start family lunches on time.” I smile.
“I know. I’ve only ever been late to something once, it was not something I care to repeat.” He laughs and leads me to the truck.
“Oh please. Like you couldn’t get away with anything…” he opens my door and I climb in.
“I have no idea what you’re referring to.” I smile as sweetly as I can. “I follow the same rules as anyone else.” He scoffs,swings the door shut, puts the totes in the backseat then leans in through the open window.
“That’s not even close to the truth and you know it. You’ve always had everyone under your spell.”
“Oh, so now I’m a witch?” I call as he’s walking to the driver's side. I really wish that were the case. If it was, I would have cast a spell over myself. One that lifts the thoughts of losing those I love. I would have been waiting for Rhett on the porch today. He would have pulled me in for a kiss when he saw me. Told me he missed me even though it had only been a few hours and I wouldn’t have wanted to run. But that's not my reality. I had to face that years ago when I thought Rhett and I may have had a shot. Loving someone, no matter how much, only hurts double that amount when it ends. That thought sobers me. It helps ground me. Rhett Holloway may be flirting with me but he won’t be wrapped around my little finger forever. He’ll get tired of the distance I’ll continue to put between us. I’m just cursed to fall for him again and again.
“Winnie…where’d you go?” I blink. Great, how long have I been sitting in silence feeling sorry for myself?
“Sorry, I just get lost in my own head sometimes.”
“I know. I feel like you live a completely different life in that pretty head of yours.” I do my best to ignore theprettypart of that sentence, but it still sends butterflies loose in my stomach.
“Sorry, I’m sure it’s annoying to have to sit in silence while I’m doing that.” I could not be any more embarrassed. Kill me. He shakes his head adamantly.
“Don’t be sorry, honeybee—just take me with you next time.” He winks and my heart feels like it could burst. No one has ever made me feel special the way he does. Maybe I should stop comparing everyone I date to him. I’m not saying Sam was right or validated in what he did to me, but I am saying he could most likely tell I wasn’t ever fully invested. Maybe he could even feelthat I wasn’t ever going to be. He should have ended it with me before moving on with someone else but I shouldn’t have kept forcing it with him when it wasn’t going to work out.
“You’re leaving me behind again.” There’s a smile in his voice. “What’s going on in there?”
“Uhm…I was actually thinking about Sam.”
“That jerk? Why?” His reaction takes me by surprise.
“Why would you think he was a jerk?” Guess word about my breakup has started making the rounds.
“He cheated on you, Winnie. You.” He swings his hand toward me to drive the point home. “So, not only is he an idiot, but also a huge jerk.” There's my confirmation.
I snort and try to brush off his compliment.
“You sound just like Colt. You guys are so overprotective.” He looks over at me then and slows the truck.
“I’m not saying that just because I’m protective of you. I am, but also I’m saying that as a man with eyes. He's absolutely an idiot if he can’t see you, Winnie.” I blush again and try to remain here on earth because it’s really hard not to float away when he says things like that to me.
“Thanks, Rhett. That’s really sweet to say and I appreciate it.” He doesn’t seem accepting of my response but we’re here at his parents now so I open my door and get out. Feeling like I’m on a cloud and also like I have one hanging over my head I go to get the totes but Rhett stops me.
“Ah, ah, I got it. Head on in, I’ll be right behind you.”
“Thanks.” A squeal tears through the air and I turn to see Florence holding Hazel on her hip.
“Hazyyy!” I’m running up to her and she is squeezing her little hands into fists and babbling. “Hi, sweet girl. It is so good to see you.” I pluck her from Florence and spin her in a circle. High pitched shrieks sound and I dance back and forth with her on my hip. I smell her chestnut baby curl covered head. “I’vemissed you so much babygirl.” Knox steps out the front door then and smiles.
“Hey, Winnie.”
