Page 57 of Sassy Love
I take it, and the screen lights up with a missed call from Millie.
“Shoot, I should call her back.”
“Go ahead.”
“One, I wasn’t asking for your permission. Two, if you don’t mind...” I wave him away.
With a small smile, he rises and finds a seat at the bar before ordering from the menu. I dial Mills, and she picks up on the second ring.
“Hey, sweetheart, how you doing?”
“Hey, Mills. You good? I missed your call.”
“Oh, I was wondering what day you’re back. I couldn’t remember.”
“Hopefully home Sunday night. You sure you’re okay?”
“Yes, love. Just lonely, I guess.”
That squeezes my chest. It’s the first time Mills has been alone since the day I took her home from the bus shelter. I kind of forgot she would be alone, too. Sometimes, my blinders really are a disadvantage.
“You want me to call you tonight?” I ask.
“Yeah, that would be nice. Oh, also, I have something to tell you. But have a great day, hey.”
“Tell me now.”
“No, it can wait. Bye, sweet.”
I hang up and finish my food. Laughter spills out from the bar. Lawson is talking with the bartender. Her face is lit up with amusement and wonder as he holds his hands out, gesticulating like a toddler as he recalls some story. Manuel sits beside him. I didn’t see him come in. They chatter back and forth about things before Lawson slides from the stool and appears in front of me.
“You’re quite the entertainer, Rawlins. I never knew that.”
“Nah, just like seeing people smile, is all.”
That tracks. He’s always Mr. Sunshine in the office.
“Well, we should go to our first session.” I stand and swipe up my phone, sliding it into my back pocket.
He crooks his arm and nods to it with a smile.
“Yeah, I’m good.”
He narrows his eyes playfully. “Damn, worked for Reedsy.”
“Who?”
“My youngest brother,” he says with a chuckle.
“The cowboy thing isn’t going to work on me.”
“Noted.”
I walk away, heading for the communal building to check the list and see which room we are in. When I find our names, I roll my eyes.Mr. & Mrs. Rawlins.
The fuck, Manuel.
Lawson leans over my shoulder and huffs a laugh. “The man is relentless.”
