Page 54 of Better Not Pout
He’s incredible. What started as a tiny crush has turned into something much bigger, and I’m not sure what that means for either of us.
I just know that I am enjoying this… thing with him much more than I anticipated, and I’m not sure I ever want it to stop.
Brushing my uninjured finger over the screen, I open the messages.
The first is a picture of Frankie wearing the adorable little green Christmas sweater that Grams knitted for both him and Penny so they could match.
I thought my heart was going to explode when she brought them to me. It’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. Honestly, I didn’t even think that Wells would actually put him in it until he just sent the photo with the caption that said:
*Can’t wait to twin with my girl. Pawprint Love, Frankie.*
Okay, no, my heart’s not exploding—it’s growing ten sizes because I’m the Grinch today.
I bring my fingers to my lips as I let out a dreamy sigh.
The other message is saying that he wishes we were back at the cabin and he weren’t working on the bar.
Aside from a few text messages and a couple of stolen moments when he brought me coffee and I brought him lunch, we haven’t seen much of each other in the last few days because I’ve been busy getting things ready to cater the engagement party, and he’s been putting in longer hours to get the bar finished with Collin.
It scares me to admit even to myself how much I miss him, and it’s only been a few days.
This thing between us is temporary, but I find myself asking more and more… what if it wasn’t? And wondering if he would feel the same.
Sighing, I look at the last message he sent only minutes ago, willing myself not to have my head in the clouds and hearts in my eyes like Kennedy.
I’m the girl who’s always had her feet firmly planted on the ground, but lately, I’m starting to feel like my best friend with her wildly dramatic, romantic notions.
Can I come and steal a kiss?
Giggling, I quickly type a response back.
NoI’m swamped today, and so stressed out. The engagement party is tonight, remember?
Oh yeah. Well, a kiss can make it all better, I think.
Not like the real thing, Sugar. Gonna need one to tide me over until tonight. It’s been days. A man can only last so long.
I have so much to do, and it’s just me today. Grams and Gramps are out today because they have the flu. So that means I have to put my phone away and get to work or there’s no way I’m going to be ready by tonight. I’ll see you later though, okay?
I set my phone down on the counter and get back to work before he responds and I spend more time flirting with my fake boyfriend.
A few minutes later, I’m halfway through packaging the second batch of Gramp’s caramel trees when I hear the bell above the door ringing.
Shit, I switched the sign to closed, didn’t I?
Wiping my hand on the front of my apron, I walk out of the kitchen and nearly run into a solid wall of a man.
“Wells?” I squeak. “What are you doing here? You scared the hell out of me.”
O Holy Night, has the man gotten hotter in the few days since I’ve seen him? How is that even freaking possible?
His beard is longer and thicker, his unruly hair sticking up in a thousand different directions because he’s undoubtedly spent his day running his fingers through it while dealing with the contractors. He’s wearing my favorite lazy, playful grin. The one that makes his whiskey eyes look brighter.
The tan-colored hoodie he’s wearing does nothing to hide the sculpt of his biceps. Neither do the old, worn jeans on his thighs.
I’ve seen firsthand how powerful those thighs are, and my core throbs when I think of the weekend we just spent tangled up together.
It’s been on a constant, very distracting replay in my head ever since.
