The offer was purely her, nice; she was willing to help at a moment’s notice. I always wondered why she wasn’t with anyone. I’d never seen or heard about her being with someone. She was like a big sister to Willa and always took care of everyone. She deserved to be happy.
“So what are you having today?” she asked, breaking me out of my head, where I was making plans to set her up.
“Can you make up a few bags? Just put anything you want in there, as long as you include donuts.”
Rayna was quick to select a few things, and I went back to Drake’s after promising her that I would call if I ever needed something.
I might have to take her up on her offer, after all.
When I got back all the guys were in the office. I opened the door and stepped inside. “Hey, what’s up?” I asked and every head turned my way.
“Are you okay?” Landon asked and hugged me. But instead of his usual crushing embrace, he lightly placed his arms around me and patted my back.
Next was Clay, then Darren, both equally as careful. “Let me know if you need anything,” Darren offered.
I put my hands up when Landon stepped forward for what looked like another hug. “I’m fine. Really.”
I was met with a roomful of skeptical eyes and wiggled the bags that I still had up in the air. “I got donuts.”
That was sure to get them off the topic. And what did you know, it worked as a perfect distraction. As soon as they spotted the logo, they started going through the bags.
“Why did you get so much?” Clay complained. “That means at least an extra hour at the gym today.”
I shook my head at them. At least now I knew how they stayed so fit despite their terrible eating habits. “You know you don’t have to eat them all now. I can put the leftovers in the fridge for tomorrow.”
Landon looked at me, horrified. “Hush, you sinner. That’s just blasphemous. This needs to be eaten while it’s fresh.”
I debated whether or not that was worth an answer, when he started suggestively licking his donut. All the guys groaned and left the office. I sat down at my desk and unpacked my supplies for the day, trying to ignore the noises Landon was making. Once he was satisfied he wasn’t going to get another reaction out of me, he went back to his bay.
I decided to message Nora to see if she needed anything. Tonight was one of the nights she usually worked, and I could go over there now if she was willing to pick me up.
Me: Hey chick, you still need me tonight?
Nora: You should be resting. Don’t tell me you’re back at work.
Me: Of course I’m at work, where else would I be? *ten smiley faces*
Nora: So, I guess I need to fess up eventually.
Me: Yes?
Nora: Mason is on babysitting duty tonight. He asked me if I needed someone. Please don’t be mad.
Oh I was mad all right. I could babysit without a problem. Why did she keep saying I should rest? My arm was fine.
Nora: You’re mad, aren’t you? Why are you not texting back?
Nora: Estrella?
Me: I’m not mad, just disappointed.
Nora: Now I know that you’re definitely mad.
Me: I’m still coming over. This is my gig. And Mason doesn’t even like kids.
Nora: You can both come over. The kids will love it. I can’t just cancel on Mason. I’d feel terrible that he already changed his plans only to cancel on him last minute. And he seems to like being with the kids.
Me: Fine. But I’m in charge.
Nora: K. I’ll see you soon.
Damn it all, I forgot to ask her to pick me up early. Guess I had to wait for Mason to put down his tools and come and get me.
I needed to find a way to get over this ridiculous crush I had developed. If only he put a paper bag over his head and never talked to me again that plan could be put in motion much easier.
The office was too quiet and there was no noise coming from the garage. The noise level was usually enough to have to turn the volume on my phone up to the highest setting so I could hear it ring. But once the guys were gone for the day it went quiet. The sudden silence felt deafening.
My phone pinged with an incoming text and I opened it, hoping it was Willa. It wasn’t. The message was from my mother who was saved in my phone book under don’t pick up.
Don’t pick up: I think you have been slumming it long enough. Time to come home.
My thumb hovered over the keypad. If I replied, she would think she finally got to me. If I ignored her, she might send someone worse than the last guy to come and get me. I mulled over my options and finally started typing out a message.
Me: I’m not coming home. You can stop sending your lackeys.
Don’t pick up: I expect to see you at dinner tomorrow.
A jolt went through me at the thought of dinner. It was a big night for her campaign, and since she was still going with the wholesome, loving family picture for her voters, I was expected to be there. It had been planned since she first started her campaign. When she first told me about it, I figured her assistant would remind me. But since we hadn’t been in touch in a while I forgot it was happening.
Me: I don’t think I’ll be able to make it.
Don’t pick up: You’ll show up or your little friend and her kids will be without a place to live.
How the hell did she know I was friends with Nora? I never talked to her about anything other than the campaign, at least when I was still talking to her.
