Page 29 of Ropers Can't Tie Knots
Diamond purses his lips, and for a moment I think he knows the truth.
“Seeing him on the sly and locked it down before he changed his mind?”
“Something like that.”
“Well, I can’t say I blame you, Mr. Handsome. He’s one fine-looking man, and the two of you look good together. The way you were smiling at each other the other day seems like you have a connection that most people wish they had.”
Diamond passes the payment terminal my way, and I tap my card.
“Do you think so?”
“Of course I do. I never say anything unless I mean it. I might not know you as well as the other guys yet, but I will. You and Hunter just have this…” He motions towards me with his hands. “You have this vibe.”
He leans closer to me and lowers his voice. “If I could be a fly on the wall in your bedroom, I bet I’d die from the heat.”
Coughing out a laugh at his forwardness, I place the lid on my coffee. “Some things aren’t up for discussion, Diamond. Have a good day.”
He booms a laugh. “You didn’t deny it! See you later, Mr. Handsome!”
After leaving the Thirsty Cow, it’s back to the office for work. The 4-H event Hunter took me to was a lifesaver. New business was gained, and Mr. Bruce became a new friend. Already, the older man came by twice with an album of old baseball cards while we talked about the game and discussed a complex will at the same time.
Mr. Bruce introduced me to his banker, Shelly Nelson, whom he trusts implicitly, and recommended that she use me for her real estate deals going forward. We exchanged cards and have sent each other new business already.
In a few short weeks, I went from wondering if I’d made a huge mistake with this new venture to feeling like I could conquer the world. I wouldn’t fail, and I owed that to the handsome and mysterious man I call my husband.
The ring on my finger still takes me by surprise. We’re a few short months into this, and it’s still odd seeing Hunter in a softer light, but I think when the end finally comes, we can at least call ourselves friends.
“Good morning, Mr. Davis.”
Penny, my legal aide, greets me and I nod with a smile. “Hello, Penny. How was your evening?”
“Amazing!” she gushes and I can’t hold back the laugh.
“What happened?”
“My friend and I went to the Happy Badger. It’s like a country dance bar place, and I learned how to dance from the cutest guy! I’m still floating about it.”
Penny is twenty-three and freshly out of college with the energy of someone who survives on Red Bull. When I bought the business and learned the old legal aid was retiring as well, I thought I’d be well and truly fucked. But Riley’s assistant knew Penny and sent her my way.
We interact more like siblings than a boss and coworker, and I should probably change that, but unless Penny feels uncomfortable, I won’t.
“What kind of country dance is this? Are we talking about square dancing? Because Penny, I’m not a fan.”
She follows me into my office with a stack of files. “Two-stepping and line dancing, Mr. Davis! You need to try it. Hunter can teach you.”
Pausing, I turn to her. “Does he dance like that?”
“Mr. Davis…I know you haven’t been here long, but if he doesn’t dance, I’d eat my shoe. His grandmother owned the dance studio in town for years. She probably taught half of this town at one point.”
Well…this is interesting.
“I don’t know why that never occurred to me,” I lie, but thankfully Penny keeps chatting away and doesn’t notice my distraction. “I’ll have to ask him to take me one night.”
“You must. It’s so much fun.”
After Penny leaves me an itinerary and a list of tasks for the day, I check my schedule and do something I’ve never done in my life.
“Penny, could you please reschedule the last appointment at 3 PM? I’m leaving early today.”
