Page 41 of In Spades

My girl, huh? I like the sound of that.

A smile forced its way onto my face, and my cheeks went red. All the worry and stress slowly drained out of me, and I relaxed into my pillow.

I’d get to see Will tomorrow.

My heart raced at the thought. The excitement almost made me forget that Rich had berated me for fraternizing with a guest. Maybe we couldn’t have lunch together anymore, but I’d still get my forty-two minutes with him while I cleaned his room.

Kristin

I didn’t mean it like that, Solomon.

Will

I know what you meant, and I said what I said.

Kristin

Working late?

Will

Yeah, got into a flow with a new project. Making good progress. Figured I’d take a break to ask how your night went.

Kristin

As good as can be expected, I guess. Tell me more about your project.

Will

Tell me more about your night.

Staying tight-lipped about my life outside of work had gotten harder and harder. I knew the kids didn’t need to be protected from someone like Will. It was really the other way around. Will needed to be protected from my life outside the inn.

At work, things were nice and neat. I could flirt and bask in the attention. No harm, no foul.

My home life, on the other hand, tainted everything it touched. Will didn’t deserve to be collateral damage just because he flirted with me at work. And my siblings shouldn’t have to witness the inevitable disaster.

Sure, I was the big sister and not the parent. But I still felt responsible for keeping our house of cards as stable as possible. I didn’t want to bring boyfriends around and let the kids get attached, only to devastate them when it eventually didn’t work out. Because why would it work out?

Only a fool would drive straight into a shit storm.

Kristin

Nothing out of the ordinary.

Will

Tell me about the ordinary then. Or maybe you could tell me about it on our date.

Kristin

Goodnight, Will.

Will

See you in the morning, Sunshine. Sweet dreams.

10

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