Page 69 of Pick Me
“Nothing,” I assured Webb, rolling my eyes. “Just Knox, having to have the final say, even when he’s being helpful.” I got to my feet and collected my tablet and phone. “I’ll call Jason and set up a time. Thanks, Knox.”
“It’s already done. Tuesday. Nine o’clock. In Cambridge,” Knox said firmly. “I’ll drive you down Monday, and we can stay at my condo. The guy who sublet it for the summer is out now, and the leasing company had it cleaned.”
Webb frowned. “The place hasn’t sold yet? Is there something wrong with it? I thought the city real estate market was a feeding frenzy.”
“Er. Yeah. Usually. I guess I need to figure that out.” He cleared his throat.
“We can’t do Tuesday. I’m redoing Jack’s website then. He wants to add online ordering functionality and bring Panini Jack’s into the twenty-first century.” I smiled. “Next, he needs to add delivery so I can get my grilled cheese and apples brought to the orchard.”
“Oooh, good idea,” Drew approved.
“Reschedule Jack.” Knox took on that superior tone that I genuinely hated. “Your career takes priority over doing a favor for a friend.”
“It’s not a favor. It’s ajob, even if it’s for a friend, okay? Besides, Jack’s been stressed about his mom and busy at the restaurant. I’m not rescheduling. I’ll call Jason and reschedule.”
Knox chewed a piece of pumpkin bread and watched me carefully, like he thought I was losing my mind. “Whatever you want,” he agreed, clearly humoring me. “Just… let me know which day you wanna go, I guess.”
Why did he sound so damned disappointed? Was he that eager for me to leave?
“You know what, Knox? Why don’t you—” I squeezed my eyes shut and took a deep breath. I was one angry half second away from telling him that he could fuck himselfandhis ride to Boston, but I stopped myself at the last moment as reason broke through.
Um… What had Knox done wrong, exactly? Not a single damn thing. He was following the rules we’d laid out for this relationship. I’d promised him this would be convenient. Meaningless. Temporary.Fun.
He’d hyped me up to his friend. He’d gotten me an interview for an incredible job in an amazing city.
And I was pissy because… he was happy for me?
Damn. Maybe Iwaslosing my mind.
“I think… Thursday,” I concluded.
Knox smiled. “Great.”
“I, um… promised my family I’d call and check in,” I lied, motioning toward the back door. I’d actually talked to my dad over the weekend, and everyone was fine. “They like to hear from me.”
“Of course they do,” Drew agreed.
“Webb, let me know if Aiden has questions about the app, okay?” I asked as I pulled on my jacket.
Webb nodded. “Will do. Thanks again.”
I stalked out to the parking area, my boots crunching over the gravel and my stomach churning for reasons I didn’t want to examine too closely. Then I realized Knox might walk in that direction to get back to the office, and if he saw me, he’d ask what the hell my problem was. Since I didn’t have a fucking clue, I definitely didn’t want to dothat.
Instead, I doubled back in the other direction and walked up the rutted path toward the Pond Orchard, my phone and tablet still clutched against my chest like a shield.
Before I had time to consciously think about it, I called my dad, thinking at least his familiar voice would knock me out of whatever mood I’d fallen into, but I was surprised when my oldest brother’s boyfriend answered instead.
“Gageling!” Jay said happily. “Dude, you never call, you never write, you never take part in the Whispering Key group chat.”
I smiled, because only my brother Rafe could have landed himself a guy who was an award-winning musician and not only madly in love with my brother but also madly in love with the people of Whispering Key and the life they were building there.
Then I sighed.
“Uh-oh. What’s happening?” Jay demanded. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, everything’sgreat.” Or, like, it was supposed to be? “I’m just having amoment, you know? So thought I’d check in with my dad. “
“Ah. You called his house phone, and I’m over here watering plants. Your dad decided a few weeks ago that orchids were his new passion, but he also didn’t want to give up hisoldpassion of taking the boat down the coast whenever the mood moved him, so I’m orchid-sitting.” I could practically hear his good-natured eye roll. “Living the dream over here, like the song says.”
