Page 107 of Mountain Pine
“I wanted to fix the hose out back.” Twirling her hair between my fingers is so calming. I’ve made a habit of it. The ends are like silky ribbons that curl perfectly around my index finger. “Want to divide and conquer for a little while today?”
“Yeah, sure.” She sounds totally fine with that.
“Look at us. We’re like an old married couple already.”
She giggles into my chest. “It’s really nice.” Taylor lifts her head up and smiles. “I can’t believe how easy it is to be with you like this.”
Same.
“I do have one complaint though.”
She lifts off of me, her brows furrowing. “What’s that?”
“You still haven’t gone out on a real date withme.” I look away, dramatically. “I’m starting to think you’re just using me for my thirst traps and magic tongue.”
“And your dick. Don’t forget that.”
“Mmm. Yes. That too.”
She sits up on her knees and man, the way the sunlight shines on her is magical. I’m in love with a real-life goddess.
“Well… are you going to ask me or what?”
“Taylor, will you go on a date with me tonight?”
She purses her lips and checks her non-existent watch. “I guess.”
“Youguess?” I roll her over and tickle her until she devolves into cackles.
“Yes! Yes, okay!” She laughs louder because I don’t stop. “Con! Stop before I pee myself!”
I put my hands up. “Wait. Are you into golden showers?”
“Ugh! You ass!” She tosses a pillow at my head and then dashes into the bathroom. I lay back in bed, feeling like the luckiest man on earth because what is this life? How the hell did I manage to win at everything?
My cell rings again and I check it. Then send it straight to voicemail. If it’s not someone in my contacts list, they’re not getting my time today.
Although having the business calls forwarded to my cell will have to stop once I have a proper office person to handle all this shit. For now, I’ve focused on hiring good workers, but I’m going to look at getting an assistant because fielding calls and shuffling the ever-packed schedule will drain my soul. At sixteen, I started at Larson Landscaping doing nothing but office work because I was too young to operate mostof the equipment and believe me when I tell you, I learned a lot about the backend of a business that way, but the instant I could legally operate all the heavy machinery, I flew out of the trailer and onto the nearest backhoe. Fuck that paperwork shit. And phone calls. Gah, and emails! It’s awful stuff.
Give me dirt, bees, flowers, and sweat any day.
Taylor offered to help in the office, but I don’t want her to. She hated being that person for her dad and did it anyway because hello, family, but I’m determined to hire someone new so she can enjoy her own business and have fun with me.
Rolling out of bed, I stretch and crack my neck.
Taylor and I take showers, then I get dressed to head to the gym while she online shops.
“Dinner at seven,” I remind her. “I’ll make reservations.”
“Okay.”
“Love you.” I kiss her head and leave with a plan.
Chapter 30
Taylor
I’m going on a date with Conner tonight. Why, of all things, does this make me nervous?
