Page 16 of Wrapped in Winter
“The more I ask, the more you talk, and the more you talk, the better you’ll be.”
“Now you sound like Dr. Seuss.”
She shrugs. “So when are you going out with him?”
“I’m not.”
“Then why did you give him your number?”
I shrug. I don’t know why I gave him my number. Maybe I'm hoping he won’t call, and then I can write him off as just another asshole. But for some reason, I know he’s not. And maybe the real hope is that hewillcall.
She squeals and jumps up and down. “My sister has a crush!”
“Stop it. A man is the last thing I need to deal with right now. I’ve got to stay focused on this store. On Lily.” I inhale deep and let out a breath. I find myself doing it more and more, like I'm trying to catch my breath and move forward. But no breath is ever enough. “It's complicated, Blossom. Everything about me is complicated, and no one deserves to have to deal with that.”
She shakes her head. “There are genuinely good people out there who will love you for you and not care about your complications. And honestly, what are they? You’ve got a dead father, a dead boyfriend, and an amazing daughter. Sounds like half the population.”
I huff out a small laugh. “Oh, baby sister, if only everyone had your outlook.”
“And no one said you had to marry him. Just fuck in random bathrooms; you’ll be fine.”
Meadow bursts into the room. “Oh, I heard about this. Which one of you was it?”
“How long have you been eavesdropping?”
She snickers. “I walked in on the right sentence.” She stops with a hand on her hips. “Now, I know it wasn’t January, so Blossom, how was Bennett?”
“For your information, it wasn’t me. And leave Bennett out of this,” she huffs out and turns sideways, boxing Meadow out.
Meadows' eyes swing to me with an incredulous look. “Youwere fucking in the men’s room at the Range?”
The jingle of the bell alerts us to customers, and I have to shush Meadow. She’s the wild one of the Nilsson family, neverhaving learned impulse control. She says whatever comes to mind and does whatever she feels in the moment.
“Good afternoon!” I call to them as they wave and begin to shop around. I turn back to Meadow and drag her to the counter, Blossom hot on my heels. “We have customers, so watch yourself.”
She blows a bubble with her gum and lets it pop loudly. “You fuck the bartender?” She raises a brow and crosses her arms while leaning her hip against the counter.
“What? No.” I wave my hand dismissing her.
“Good. I like giving him a hard time, so he’s mine.”
I roll my eyes. My sister always did this, she’d spot someone and call dibs, then tease the shit out of the poor guy before sending him on his way. There’s a reason she’s got the nickname Maneater Meadow.
“Do you mean Cole?” Blossom asks. “He’s a nice guy, leave him alone, Med.”
Meadow appears bored as she continues to chew her gum and pick her nail polish. “Nice guys finish last. I’m going to teach him that.”
I chuckle at her. “You’re terrible. What are you going to do when you actually find someone you want to make it work with? They’re not going to stick around to be your punching bag.”
“When I find someone, I’ll let you know. Anywayyyy,” she draws out the word, “you're avoiding the question. Tell me who he is.”
“You know the new delivery guy, Drake?” I tune out Blossom spilling my secret as I hear my text go off.
Unknown: I really hope you gave me the right number.
I smile at his text, quickly adding his contact and typing back.
Me: That depends. Who are you looking for?