Page 204 of Hot Mess
“Yeah. It’s not a big—”
“Deal,” I finished for her. And like fuck it wasn’t.
I stared at her for a long moment, just taking her in. Standing there in my kitchen in her sundress with her pretty earrings—which she probably made herself—and her long, butterscotch hair with the slight waves cascading over her shoulders.
She seemed to get uncomfortable with my staring and picked up a few containers. “I, uh, got the yam fries and the salad on the side. You want me to heat some up now? Or should we save it for later?”
“Later,” I said gruffly.
She nodded and tucked it all away in my fridge. Then she squinted at the two photos on the fridge door. “Aunt Ginny?” she said, pointing at the photo of my aunt and uncle.
“Yup,” I said. “And that’s their kid, Aidan.”
“He’s cute,” she said, studying the photo of my cousin. It was an old photo, from back when he was eight. He was thirteen now. “He has your nose.”
“Maybe.”
She smiled at me. “So,” she said, smoothing her dress. “Should we talk about your decorating needs?”
“My whole life,” I told her, ignoring her attempt to change the subject, “my aunt and my best friend are the only people who’ve ever thought of me like that, done for me like that… like you just did. Without me asking.”
“What? The food?” she said. “It’s just food, Ashley. I can’t be the first woman to do something nice for you.”
“Sure, women do things for me. Things I ask them to do. Things they think will get them what they want.”
“Oh.”
“Have I asked you for anything since we met?”
“You mean, besides six pennies?” A smile flickered over her pretty lips. “Hmm. Sex?”
“Besides that.”
“You asked me to decorate your home.” She looked around. “What is it you want to change here? I have to say… I don’t usually say this to clients. Kind of counterproductive, I know. But this place is pretty perfect as is.” She looked at me. “I mean, unless you’re unhappy with it.”
Time to confess.
“I don’t want to change anything,” I told her. “I realize I kinda let you think that’s why I brought you out here…”
“Kinda.” She studied me, sizing me and my intentions up. “I had to move another client meeting to clear my day.”
“Sorry about that. I’ll pay you for your time.”
“No, you won’t. Not unless I’m working here.”
I let it drop. She meant it.
Didn’t mean I couldn’t reach out to Aunt Madeleine and slip her some cash. Something told me she’d happily take it on Danica’s behalf if her niece refused.
“Look,” I said. “I did bring you here for a reason. I don’t want to beat around the bush with people anymore, or fuck up by holding back on how I feel. Or lame out instead of being upfront with someone I like.”
“Okay…”
“So I’ve been thinking. I need to come clean with you about a few things… Including what happened at that resort in Alaska.”
“Oh,” she said.
“It’s pretty obvious you’re not sure what to make of the whole thing. You know… that I met your sister first and messed around with her a bit. Plus, you don’t seem to know what to make of the rest of my life, either. My past relationships. Some of the stuff I’ve told you about. You’ve been polite about it, but I know you’re curious. And you have a right to be.”
