Page 43 of The Troublemaker
Oh that’s right, the whole desperation thing.
“It will be fine.”I wave off his concern.
“It always is in your world.”
Easton is charismatic and flirtatious.My mom will love him, and he’ll win the room over as he always does.We just have to play the part really well.
Whit stands from the desk, securing his messenger bag across his body, but he digs out a manila folder and places it on the table.“Here are some papers you should look at from the last year’s financials.I’ll come by tomorrow, and I can answer any questions you have about them.”
“Thanks, Whit.”
He sits down again on the edge of the chair and locks his eyes on me.“Why do you actually want this store, Had?”
“Because it was Grandma’s.This is where we grew up.And someone has to keep Pete alive.”
He sighs.“That’s not what I asked.”
“I’m not sure what kind of answer you’re looking for.”
“You do, you just don’t want to tell me.Why is this place so important to you?”
I bite my lip and stare at the framed picture of the first day The Story Jar opened that hangs above the small bookcase.
If I can’t be vulnerable with Whit, there’s no one else I can be, so I might as well confess.
“Because she believed I could do this, and I don’t know what I’ll think of myself if I prove her wrong.”
Whit looks at me for a long moment and slowly nods, rising from the chair again.
I think he gets it now.
He opens his arms, and I stand, walking into them.“Be careful, Hadley.”
“Oh.”I playfully punch him in the arm when I pull away.“You know I always have it under control.”
He glances at the baby stroller.As if Tanner knows I’m lying too, he whimpers.
“At least I know you’ll give it your all.”He shifts his vision to the manila folder.“I’ll see you tomorrow.”He peeks in the stroller.“Cute kid.”
“Well, his dad is Easton Bailey.Of course he’s cute.”
Whit inhales and smiles hesitantly.“This is going to be fun.”
“Tell Brea and the kids I said hi,” I say in a rush before he shuts the door.
I peek my head into the stroller and see Tanner’s sweet hazel eyes staring back at me.“He’s right.You are the cutest.”I pluck him out and hold him carefully.“How about I read you a book?”
He doesn’t answer, of course, but his small hand reaches for my hair.
Sitting back in the chair, I snuggle him into me and grab the first book I see,The Pigeon Has Feelings Too.
“You know what, Tanner?I actually like it when people don’t believe in me.I like to surprise them when I succeed.Never let anyone tell you what you can and cannot do.”
He smiles at me, his hands reaching for the book.
“I take that as you agree.”
Then I read him a book.I so have this.
