Page 25 of Feels Like Falling
“You mean how I just inserted myself into his orbit until he couldn’t ignore me?” She grins as she walks over to a small fridge and takes out two sparkling waters. “To be honest, he did a lot of the work. He was shy—no surprise there—but the man sent me poems asking me out until I said yes.”
My eyes widen and so does her smile as I process that piece of information. Truthfully, I didn’t think he had it in him, but I couldn’t be happier that they were able to make it work.
“Impressive.”
“Right?” She sighs dreamily as she leans against the wall and takes a sip of her drink. “He’s supportive and kind and,”—she fans her face—“surprising if you know what I mean.”
“It seems like he was just waiting for the perfect girl to come around.”
She blushes and tips the can at me. “Thank you for saying that. It’s weird being happy, isn’t it?”
“I’m hoping to find out,” I admit, and her smile turns sympathetic but it’s kind and not condescending like I’m used to.
“You will.” Her phone beeps and she pulls it out to look at it. “Archer is all about the little things.” She taps something out and then puts the device back in her pocket. “Like right now, he’s trying to find me goats because he knows how much I want to source local goat milk for my soaps.”
“You make soaps?”
“I do. Plus lotions and lip balms. I’m Bea’s Bubbles and Balms,” she says with a flourish before launching into the details of what she does and how she makes everything before adding, “And while that’sthedreamit’s not quite enough yet to do full-time, so for now I’ll be the go-between for Sundown Realty.”
“Well, that’s freaking adorable and also really amazing,” I say and I mean it. She’s like walking sunshine, and I find that I can’t help feeling invested in this woman and her quest for local goat milk here in Tennessee.
“And after all that, Archer doesn’t have goats?”
“He doesn’t, and unfortunately, we are not able to house them on his property.”
“What about at Montana’s?”
Bea pulls her bottom lip between her teeth and shakes her head. “Montana wasveryclear that he does not want goats.”
“Oh my gosh, he’s so dramatic. It was almost twenty years ago,” I say, rolling my eyes as I imagine him pitching a fit over even being asked. “Tell Archer that Montana will house the goats, and y’all can just let me know when they’re en route so I can have everything ready.”
“Are you sure?”
Am I? Not really.
But this is exactly the kind of thing Montana would expect from me, and who am I to disappoint him?
“Totally sure.”
“He’s going to be pissed, isn’t he?” She laughs and I shrug.
“Probably. But we have a special kind of relationship.”
“Does it involve being naked?” she deadpans and now it’s my turn to laugh.
“Not yet, but maybe if I’m lucky.”
Raising her can, she says, “May the goats provide you the excuse to indulge in mutually beneficial apology orgasms.”
“I’ll cheers to that.”
“So, not that I don’t love the company but…”
“Oh, right. I just need to grab the keys for the house I’m renting. I got the email confirmation that it was ready but had a really hard time finding this place. I had to ask Montana for the address.”
She eyes me for a second, and I have the oddest feeling she’s assessing me—I just don’t know why. She works here and I need the keys to my rental. It should be pretty straightforward, right?
“Of course.” Bea nods and spins on her heels, moving stacks of papers on the desk and growling for a minute before letting out an enthusiasticwhoopand turning toward me. “Here you go,” she singsongs as she hands me an envelope. “That place is the cutest. You’re going to love it.”
