Page 39 of Worth the Risk
“I remember everything about you, darlin’.” I launch myself at him. I kiss him with all the longing that I’ve held inside. He catches me and kisses me back just as wildly. I’m close to him but not close enough. When we break apart he rests his forehead on mine.
“I would have brought you food a hell of a lot sooner if I knew this would be your reaction.” I laugh.
“It’s not the food, Rhett.”
“I know, but I will bring you food every day if you’ll let me.” I smile and kiss his soft lips once more before pulling away. Every day is sounding really good.
“I may hold you to that. Now let’s eat. I’ll grab some plates.” He stops the movement by pulling me in again and kissing me hard.
“I missed you.” I roll my eyes at that.
“Yeah? Seeing me this morning wasn’t that long ago, you know?”
“I’m not just talking about today.” Those butterflies are loose again.
“Obviously. I’m really easy to miss.” He barks out a laugh at that and kisses me again.
“Okay, let’s eat now. I wanna hear more about your day.” I get the plates and we fill them. “I meant to tell you earlier but you’ve done a really amazing job with this place, Winnie. I love the tiles and the floors look great.” I blush at his praise but I am really proud of myself and all the work I’ve done here.
“Thank you. I have a few more things on my list to get to but with the bakery I’ve had to put a pause on the renovations.”
“What’s left on the list?”
“Well, I still want to switch out the fixtures in the bathroom and I need to replace the vanity in there, too. I have the piece I’m wanting to use in my shed but I just haven’t had time to set the sink in it…the biggest thing I have left though, is re-painting the exterior.”
“Why haven’t you done that yet? Wouldn’t you hire out for that anyway?”
“Yeah, I would, but I don’t quite have the money for it yet. I’m thiiisss close…” I hold up my hand and pinch my fingers together. “Doing most of the work myself has saved me a ton, but it still costs a lot to renovate.” He nods thoughtfully.
“What color are you thinking?”
“White.”
“It’s already white.” I smile.
“How observant you are, Rhett.” He smiles at my sarcasm. “It is, but it’s old and chipping. Discolored in some places. It needs a spruce. When I bought this place I loved it, but one of the things I wanted to do is breathe some life into it.”
“You’re doing a good job of that. I see you all over in here. I may need you to help me with my place. I love it, but it’s extremely dated on the inside. I need someone to help me update and customize it.”
“I would love that. Seriously, if I hadn’t decided on baking as a profession, I think I would have gone to design school.”
“You would be successful at anything you want, Winnie.”
“And there’s that charm I’ve always been so weak for.” He laughs, shaking his head.
“That is one word that I could never use to describe you. You’re one of the strongest people I’ve ever met.” That brings me up short. I get uncomfortable with compliments. Even more so with ones I don’t believe have any truth to them.
“You don’t have to say things like that to me ya know?”
“I wish you could see how strong you are. How absolutely fierce you can be.”
“Fierce? No. That’s not me at all. Mare is fierce and fiery. I’m an anxiety ridden, clumsy wallflower. That’s not to say I’m not amazing. I know my worth. I just also know myself.” He’s shaking his head again, but this time he looks a little annoyed.
“It wasn’t my intention to argue with you, Rhett…I just know who I am and I’m okay with that.”
“After everything you’ve been through, you still manage to brighten the day of everyone around you. Even when your anxiety is running so high that it’s physically affecting you, you show up for the people you care about.” My face is hot and I’m not sure what to say but he keeps going. “You’re incredible, Winnie. You fight through your trauma and pain and turn it into light and warmth and share that with others. You have so many people who witness your strength daily.” I swallow and it feels thick.
“Thank you. For seeing me.”
