Page 60 of Merry Little Sugar Rush
“All right. I might send you a few photos to get an idea of what you’re looking for.”
Ray lifts his chin in thought. “Or you could ask Joy.”
I open my mouth and close it quickly. “I could do that, if that’s what you want.”
Joy’s father just smiles at me. “If you agree to make it, we’re going to ask Eve is she has any preferences.”
I feel like I just walked right into the comment about Joy. “Well, yes, I’ll make it.” The prospect of using Gramps’s woodworking shed gets me all sorts of excited.
“Great,” he replies, reaching over and giving me a thump on the back. “And as far as the other, she seems to be happy.”
My eyes slowly connect with his as I swallow over the lump in my throat. “Uhh, I’m glad.”
“Me too, son.” He considers his words for a moment before adding, “Listen, it’s none of my business, but for what it’s worth, I thought you should know. I talked to her earlier this morning before I left for work. They were all headed to go dress shopping for the wedding, and even though we didn’t talk about anythingin particular, she just had this extra light about her, and she smiled nonstop. I think that probably has something to do with you, I assume?”
I try to keep my reaction neutral, but I can’t. A grin spreads across my lips.
“I see she’s not the only one,” he states with a chuckle.
Clearing my throat, I meet his green eyes, the same ones both his daughters have, and say, “I’m enjoying spending time with your daughter.”
He nods. “I think the feeling is mutual.” Sobering, he adds, “You’re planning to leave still?”
For the first time, I hesitate. I know what I need to say, but I struggle to get the words out. The thought of leaving still weighs heavy on my chest. “Yeah,” I finally spit out, that one word like a hot knife to my insides.
“I know your life is back in South Carolina. You seem to have a great job, friends, and your immediate family there.”
“I do,” I reply. “But I also have some of that here too. Yes, my work and clients are back home, but I plan to keep in contact with my extended family and friends here.”
“I hope you do.” His smile is fatherly and warm, his eyes full of compassion and strength. “You have a place here too, Burk. Don’t ever forget that.”
My phone buzzes in my pocket, but I ignore it. Ray and I load the greenery into the bed of the side-by-side utility vehicle, his words hanging heavy between us. As soon as it’s situated, my phone vibrates a second time.
Ray chuckles. “I’ll take this up front. You go ahead and answer. It might be from someone important,” he states with a wink, as if he knows it’s his daughter messaging me.
When he walks away, I strip my gloves off my hands and retrieve the device. Joy’s name lights up on the screen as I tap to read her message.
Joy
Hope your day is going well. Mine is great! We all found dresses. Can’t believe she’s getting married in two weeks!
My fingers fly over the screen, desperate to respond.
Me
I’m glad you found dresses, and it’ll be here before you know it. Are you on your way back?
Joy
Just got home. I’m heading down to the bakery to prep for tomorrow and make a grocery list. Wanna come over after you get off work?
Me
How does pizza sound?
Joy
Pizza always sounds good. It’s a date.
