Page 50 of Falling for the Bad Boy
Five grand? She’d spent five thousand dollars on a sign without checking the regulations? “The sign company didn’t warn you when you told them where you were having it installed?”
Trinity shook her head. “No. I used Macy’s address for the invoice when I placed the order. All they cared about was the material they’d be installing it on. That was so stupid. Why wouldn’t Mr. Hopkins tell me about special rules for being downtown?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. What are you going to do?”
She let out a giant sigh, like the weight of the entire building rested on her slim shoulders. “I don’t know.”
“Can the sign company change it?”
“They said they’d look into it. Meanwhile, I guess I’d better get started on these shelves. What kind of pizza do you want? I’ll order it and while we wait, maybe you can help me figure out how to put these kits together.”
“Come here.” I opened my arms wide, offering a hug. Not sure who needed it more—her for getting the bad news about her sign, or me for being the reason she was so pissed off—I hoped she’d take the little bit of comfort I could offer. It might make me feel a little better too.
“Oh, fine.” She shuffled over to me, letting me engulf her in a giant bear hug.
“Hugs cure all, don’t they?” I asked.
“Is that another one of your dad’s famous sayings?” Her voice came out muffled with her mouth pressed against my chest.
“My dad?” I pulled back to meet her gaze.
“Yeah. You told me the first night we met he’s full of advice and superstitions. Like how it’s bad luck not to finish your drink.” One shoulder lifted. “I just thought maybe he’s the hugger in your family.”
I let out a gruff laugh. “My dad is nowhere near a hugger.”
“What’s he like then?” Her finger traced a line up my side.
“He’s, um, well, he’s quiet. Thoughtful. Deliberate.” I tried to come up with the words to describe him. He was a man of principle whose word meant more than any signed piece of paper. But he resisted change, was still doing things on the farm the way his father had done them and his dad’s dad before him. He had unreasonable expectations that I would come home, settle down, and take my place in the long line of Martins who’d been working on that piece of land for generations.
“So not very much like you, huh?” The corners of her mouth teased up into a smile.
“Hey, I can be quiet.”
“You weren’t very quiet last night.”
“Let me rephrase that. I can be quiet when required. Is that better?”
“Sure. Now tell me what you want on your pizza.”
“Doesn’t matter, I’m fine with anything.”
“Really? Mushrooms?” She eyed me with a hint of skepticism.
“Yep. Anchovies too.”
Trinity screwed her lips into a frown. “Gross. You like fishy pizza?”
“Sure. I’d try it. I think you’ll find I appreciate all kinds of flavors.”
“How about barbecue? You ever had barbecue pizza?”
“Of course. I work in a bar.”
“So what’s the strangest topping you’ve ever had then?”
“You go first.” I hated how much I enjoyed talking to Trinity. Every smile she gave me chipped away at my heart. I was an ass. A giant, hairy, ugly ass who had no business spending an evening with the gorgeous, charming woman in front of me.
“Coconut. I had grated coconut on my pizza in Costa Rica.” She arched an eyebrow. “Can you top coconut?”
