She steps out of my arms. “I’ve got a job to finish. Then I’m leaving Fireside.”
“Okay.” I shrug. “I’m not going to be here for long. Maybe we could pass the time together. Hang out.” I lean down to catch her eye. “What do you say, Tink?”
“Tink?”
“Tinkerbell. You remind me of her.”
“Does that make you Peter Pan, the eternal man-child?”
“I’m no child.” It comes out a bit hungrier than I intended, and her cheeks turn red so fast.
Should I say oops? I’m sure as hell not taking it back.
“I’ve got to go.”
She does it, too. She walks off, leaving me alone on the dance floor. I watch her return to the table, where a waitress in short shorts and a black tank is placing a large boat-like platter of raw fish in front of Spencer the douche.
It’s not really my style to come on strong like that. I’m not even sure where it came from. Sure, I’ve always liked Daisy, but when I was at Clemson, I pretty much focused on football and not flunking out.
When I’m around her, it’s different. It’s almost like something takes over me. She’s cute and grumpy, but she’ll talk to me even though she acts like I’m bothering her. It makes me want to bother her more.
Exhaling a laugh, I wipe my hand over my mouth and leave the floor, going straight out the exit. I’m here to visit family before I’m gone for who knows how long. She might be the one that got away, but if I’m smart, I’ll let her stay that way.
Three
Daisy
“Take pictures and send them to me when you’re done.” Spencer’s voice is impatient on the other end of the line. “I’ll run them past Miles and see what he thinks.”
“Thank you, Spence. I can’t tell you how much this means to me.”
“You can start by not calling me Spence.”
Scout was wrong about Spencer. He’s not a douche, but he is a pill. Still, he’s a pill who can help me.
He’s also a pill who might be interested in me. It’s really hard to know for sure. Regardless, he’s never made it an issue, and I really appreciate it. He criticizes me and gives me a hard time, but it’s always about the work and my ability. It’s never about sex.
“I’m headed back to Columbia, but I’ll be in touch.”
We disconnect, and I scroll through the pictures I’ve saved on my Pinterest. I have a board for every room, and there’s only one left.
“The master suite,” I say to Cosmo. “Check it out.”
He blinks slowly and purrs loudly as I show him my ideas for the bedroom and bath, matching curtains, wallpaper, pillows, and comforters all in a minimalistic, blue lines on cream background.
“It’s very Gloria Vanderbilt, don’t you think? Grandmillennial.”
Yes, I’m the crazy cat lady talking to my aunt’s giant calico. I don’t care. Cosmo is a very good listener, even if his eyes are closed right now.
“Right.” I give his ears a scratch. “Swaggy.”
Pushing off the stairs, I trot up to the second floor and into the massive bedroom with its attached bath. I’ve already started collecting fixtures.
I found an oversized footed tub I want to place under the picture window. Jacuzzi tubs are a big draw, but it would take a major renovation for this old house, and I can make the space equally inviting.
Walking to the thick white porcelain, I kneel beside it, running my finger along the edge. The hardware hasn’t been installed, so I can’t use it yet. Still, I can imagine soaking with candles all around, bubbles… My eyes close, and I picture myself slipping into warm waters. Scout slipping in behind me, strong hands spanning my waist…
My eyes snap open. What was that? I have not fantasized about him since senior year.
Okay, that’s a lie, but I’ve felt stupid every time I did. So what if he kissed me that one time? It was only a kiss… Only the best kiss I’ve ever had.
His fingers slid across my cheek, lifting my chin so he could lean down and devour my lips. His tongue slid along mine, tasting and when the soft moan rippled from his throat, I almost burst into flames.
That was when I told him it was off. He’d wanted us to “have each other’s backs,” which to him meant pretending we were a couple. He didn’t want the pressure of everyone expecting him to settle down with a local girl, and I made fun of him for being a coward. Then I got a taste of his medicine that night at Homecoming.
From the nonstop stares to the mean girl cutting remarks, it was like all of Fireside had decided we were an item. The girls hated me, while the guys suddenly noticed me. People who’d never spoken to me before were smiling and saying Hi. It was the kiss that ended it. I knew by my response I was the one who’d get hurt in the end. I ended it because I didn’t want to be left to pick up the pieces when he did what he said, and I didn’t want all those eyes watching my every move, picking me apart, and dissecting my behavior.
Oh, and don’t forget, I was leaving Fireside, too.
Only… here I am.
My phone starts to buzz, and I sit with my back against the side of the tub. Looking at my phone, I see my dad’s name over his confused selfie that always makes me giggle.
He accidentally took a photo of himself, and it’s the funniest thing.
Shaking my head, I swipe to answer. “Hey, Dad, what’s up?”
“A man is interested in the Victorian chair. He’s offering cash up front. Eight fifty.”
I’m on my feet at once. “Dad! No! That chair belongs to me. I already called it.”
“This isn’t a game of shotgun, daughter. I have a business to run.” My dad has always spoken to me like an impatient college professor.
