Page 28 of Make it Real
Callie with a nail gun sounded weirdly hot. Best scrub that thought from my brain.
“Drip systems and wainscoting, huh? You must be a pro at home repair.”
“It’s just Gran and me, so it’s either that, or pay loads of money for someone else to do it.”
“Sounds like you’re putting a lot of love into your home.” That’s what June always called it. My sister’s job as an interior designer had her sorting out half the houses in town, finding ways to update and upgrade everything from a new wall color to a new addition. Nothing made her happier than finding the exact right way to make someone’s house more of a home.
Callie’s smile faded a touch. “Yeah. It’s a good house.”
“You don’t sound so sure.”
“No, it is a good house, it’s just…” She drew in a breath as if searching for the right words among a field of landmines. “It’s not my forever home, you know?”
“I can relate.” For a dozen years, I’d traveled from base to base, never settling in to make any place a true home. Certainly never put love into a place like she’d done. Since I’d been back in Magnolia Ridge, I’d coasted with a rental and liked it fine, but it had temporary written all over it.
Kind of like me.
“But hey, my pop’s been pestering me to help him with some updates to his house. Lucky me, my new girlfriend’s ready and willing to do all that for him now.”
She leaned both elbows on the table. “Aw. Do you want to get up close and personal with my nail gun?”
“Can’t tell if that’s flirting or a threat.”
Her grin shone out again. “Can’t it be both?”
I laughed, loving this night already. I’d expected a whole lot more awkwardness, but we’d fallen into a friendly groove of faux-flirtation that suited me just fine. Being Callie’s pretend-boyfriend would be easier than I’d thought.
As long as everyone stayed clear on the pretend part.
NINE
callie
Beingout with Jed wasn’t anything like those dates Gran had set up. No pressure, no judgment, just a fun night eating pizza and talking with my new friend. Boyfriend.Fakeboyfriend.
Also? I’d forgotten pizza was seriously the food of the gods. I ate my entire half-pizza and a slice of Jed’s buffalo chicken. By the time he drove me home, I was stuffed and just a tiny bit bloated, but I didn’t regret a single bite.
“I’ve been meaning to ask you something.”
The seriousness in his voice made my heart leap up in my throat as though I had a guilty secret he’d found out. Didn’t make sense, considering all my current secrets directly involved him.
“How come you never invited me to give a presentation to your class about farming?” He turned, and the dash light revealed a giant grin, illuminating it like a spotlight.
“Oh. I didn’t have time in my schedule last spring, but I just might ask you next year. I think they’d really love it.”
“I do wow a crowd.”
I laughed over his silliness. “I think you’ll get along great with a room full of five-year-olds.”
“Sounds a little shady, but I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“It is. Not everybody can handle the pressure.”
He chuckled to himself. “I’m surprised Wade didn’t flop.”
“It’s usually easier when it’s a parent. Dylan’s enthusiasm to have his dad there spread to the rest of the kids. Plus, it’s hard to beat a firefighter.”
He lifted a finger at me. “That’s a challenge, Callie Lou. Kids love farmers. I’ll blow my brother straight out of the water.”
