Page 11 of For You I'd Mend
“Sorry,” she said, holding up her hands. “Isdickheadfighting the divorce?”
I shook my head, fighting the urge to smile because hearing Saint Lauren call someone dickhead made my day. “It just takes a while, and for whatever reason Rowan and Cal can’t stand the idea of waiting to plan the wedding until after it’s done.”
“Because they’re in love,” Lauren said, matter-of-factly.
“You don’t need to wear uncomfortable, overpriced clothes and eat an elaborate cake in front of everyone you know to prove you love someone.”
Lauren laughed. “I wouldn’t say that too loud if you want to keep growing your custom cake business.”
My phone buzzed on the worktable.
Theo
Mr. Twillings talked your neighbor Mrs. Adams into registering. Half the class is from Sullivan Street now
Great. Everyone will be knocking on my studio door asking for help
Sorry. I didn’t think of that, but you really should be teaching the class
Hell no. If I was the teacher, I couldn’t tell Twill to bite me when he got on my nerves. And he will get on my nerves
You probably could. It’s a volunteer position
No, thanks. I’ll just help you with whatever you need
Three dots appeared, then disappeared.
“Texting Theo?” Lauren asked, smiling at me.
“How’d you know?”
“Because he’s the only one who makes you grin like that. You are so not just friends.”
“I wish,” I said, abandoning the clay to flop onto the futon beside her. My phone buzzed in my hand and we both looked at it.
See you tomorrow
“I don’t get that one,” Lauren said, frowning. “Normally, I’d say you weren’t sending him the right signals or something, but it’s pretty obvious you like him.”
My stomach dropped. “Is it?”
“In a good way,” Lauren said, giving my arm a squeeze. “I mean, you never snap at him like you do everyone else.”
I shrugged. “Never had a reason to.”
“Oh,” Lauren said clapping her hands together. “That’s it?”
“What’s it?”
“I’ve never seen you back down from anything, Poppy. Why haven’t you just yelled at him to kiss you already or done it yourself?”
“Because,” I said, looking at my silent phone. “What if I repulse him, but he’s too nice to tell me until I push the issue? You can’t come back from an embarrassment like that. Our friendship would end, and he’s the only person in this speck of a town who gets as excited about art as I do.”
“Trust me, you do not repulse him. You’re hot.”
“I am not.”
“I’ve heard talk at Karma. There’s plenty of guys in Peace Falls who think you’re gorgeous.”
