Page 21 of Midnight Valentine
“I’ve never met a lamb who goes around with a hurricane brewing over its head.”
After a pause, she says gingerly, “Okay, I’m going to say something now.”
I know that means it’s going to be something I don’t like. I wait for it, exhaling in annoyance.
“Maybe—and I’m only saying maybe—you’re just sensitive.”
I frown. “Sensitive? About what?”
“About men.”
“About men?” I repeat, puzzled.
“You know, because of your husband.”
“Oh. You think I’ve lost my ability to judge a person’s character because my husband died, is that it?”
“It’s just that nobody else has ever had a problem with Theo, sweetie,” says Suzanne in a placating tone. “Except you.”
Frustrated, I blow out a hard breath. “So I’m told. But I’m not imagining it, Suzanne. Even Coop said he’s never seen Theo act the way he acts around me. He said I ‘agitate’ him.”
“Coop said that? Huh. Well, that’s weird.”
“That’s what I’ve been telling you!”
“Maybe he’s jealous of your tan?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Maybe you remind him of someone he hates
?”
“It’s possible, but I doubt it. His problem seems very Megan specific.”
“Maybe he thinks you should put on a little lipstick and a shirt that doesn’t have a band logo on it to make it seem like you give an actual fuck before you go out in public?”
That makes me smile. “Inside thought, Suzanne.”
“Hmm. And you’re positive he doesn’t have the hots for you?”
“Oh yeah, I’m sure he gets an expression like he just took a dump in his pants every time he sees me because he’s so attracted to me. It’s definitely true love.”
She laughs. “Okay, I’m fresh out of smart ideas, then. Chalk it up to one of those things and stay out of his way while he works on the Buttercup. Maybe he’ll warm up to you after a while.”
“Or maybe he’ll leave random tools on the floor for me to trip over and break my face on.”
“Don’t be silly, he’ll do no such thing. If you don’t like Theo, just deal directly with Coop. From the sound of things, that would suit both of you. I’m telling you, he’s the best there is. I’ve got a list a mile long of people you could call for a reference if you don’t want to take my word for it. And why flush money down the toilet if you don’t have to? Just my two cents, but I think it’s worth it to put up with him in the short run for what you’ll get out of it in the long run.”
I mull it over because she makes some good points. I got a big chunk of change in the settlement from Cass’s accident, but I know how these kind of large renovation projects can go way over budget. And there’s no guarantee the B&B will be a success after I open. I could be filing for bankruptcy in a few years if the economy tanks. I need to be practical about this. Practical, frugal, and emotionless.
Except for my intense curiosity and my sore ego, I’d be all set.
“Maybe if you told me more about him, it would make me more comfortable.”
“What do you want to know?”
“About his accident,” I say without thinking. “I want to know what happened to make Mr. Popularity turn into the Grinch.”
