Page 25 of Everything Has Changed
I don’t really think about the implications of the words, but as soon as I say them I know I mean them.
Because, even though we have only spent a little time together since I’ve been back, I know I want to go on a date with Gwen Prescott. I want to spend more time with her easygoing smile and be the reason her face lights up with happiness.
The chemistry between us is palpable. I have to believe she can feel it, too. But the look on her face says she thinks I’m joking.
She forces a chuckle out. “You’re funny. Something tells me I don’t have enough money in the world to bid against the women of Willow Grove for you. Hell, probably even a few men. But we both know a certain someone who definitely wouldn’t allow anyone to win a date with you.”
“What do you mean?”
Gwen’s green eyes dart around the room as if I were missing something. “Camila would fight anyone who gets in her way of you.”
“I’m not with Camila. Haven’t been for a long time.”
She just shrugs, taking the notebook from our laps and moving it to hers. She highlights the rest of the ideas we both agreed would work well for this year.
I want to elaborate, make sure she knows where I stand with Camila, but she’s already moving on.
“I got an email from your mom earlier saying that she wants to meet Monday morning to approve the plan.”
I turn toward her as she places the notebooks together on the table in front of us. “I knew she couldn’t give up full control.”
“Well, someone has to approve the budget upfront. I think we can save some money by reusing old decorations and booths for the vendors, but I need to take a trip out to the storage barns at the old mill to see if they are still in good condition. I think the high school did the take down last year, so it’s really anyone’s guess what state everything is in.”
“Let me know when you want to make the trip out there. I don’t want you going by yourself.”
“I’m a big girl. I can handle myself.”
“I have no doubt that you can, but that building should have been condemned a long time ago. I don’t need my partner getting hurt. There’s no way in hell I could do this without you.”
“Fine, I’ll let you know when I plan to go out there.” She takes a deep breath before pushing off her thighs to stand. She quickly glances at her watch and sighs. “I think we have everything we need for now. I promised Stacy I would cover the rest of her shift.”
“Always working, aren’t ya?”
A huff of a forced laugh escapes her as she stretches her arms out. A flash of creamy skin has my gaze darting down to her waistband. Her stomach is partially exposed as she reaches up, causing her sweater to ride up. Heat floods me as the thought of running my fingertips over her skin invades my mind, just to see if it’s as soft as it looks.
“You good?” Her voice breaks through my thoughts, and her sweater falls back down to cover her from my view. Mentally, I slap myself back to reality.
“Ye–yeah,” I clear my throat against the thickness forming within it. “Just got lost in thought for a second. Did you say something?”
One of her perfectly sculpted brows arches up as she looks at me.
“I asked if you wanted to join us at Daisy’s tonight? Show you that I don’t always work.”
I probably shouldn’t say yes. I probably shouldn’t crave some more time with Gwendolyn. But I do on both accounts. The former being a little more eager in my quick yes than I meant to show. I can’t find it in myself to worry about embarrassment as Gwen’s green eyes twinkle with laughter.
10
Gwendolyn
“Uh oh, look what the cat dragged in.”
“Trouble.”
Piper and I saddle up to the bar, squeezing between patrons too engrossed in their conversations to care. Connor and Daisy—the owner and namesake for our local watering hole—are pouring beers and mixing drinks without spilling a drop.
“Oh, whatever. You love us.” Piper taunts with a flip of her curled hair.
“Something like that,” Daisy purses her lips against a grin. She hands over the drink in her hand to a customer a few feet down, who hands over his card in return. “What are you two up to tonight? Mayhem, I assume.”
