Page 104 of His Big Bad Stick

“What?” I yell. “No! Don’t say that. That’s not how…”

That’s exactly how it happened.

Colver named his price.

ME.

I was the prize to him. I was the fantasy he always wanted.

“I’m not trying to pry into anything,” Jess says. “I’m just making jokes. That’s all. I’m terrible in situations like these. You should see me at a funeral. I’m giggling and laughing like it’s a comedy club. Anyway, this is exciting. A new gallery. A baby on the way. Your life is so full right now.”

“Can I depend on you?” I blurt out.

“What?”

“Sorry. That sounded weird. I just… I don’t really have anyone, Jess.”

“The father of the baby isn’t around?”

“He is. I just don’t know…”

“Hey, it’s fine,” Jess says. “I’ll be honest with you. I had a few people who wanted this spot and were willing to pay. But something about you. You and me. We connected. We clicked. I don’t really have anyone either. I’m the outcast of my family, believe it or not. It just works with us here. I have this vision. You have a gallery. I have a coffeeshop. How cool is that?”

“I didn’t know that,” I whisper. “You could be making money from this spot.”

“I don’t want to. At least not until you’re making money. That was the deal. Point I’m making is, yes, you can depend on me. Not just for free coffee and baked goods.”

“I haven’t thrown anything up since the cinnamon incident.”

Jess smiles.

Behind her the door to my unfinished gallery opens.

And in walks Colver.

“Holy shit,” Jess whispers to me. “Tell me that’s him.”

“That’s him,” I whisper back.

Heat rushes through my body as he walks closer by the second, looking around.

“The new gallery, huh?” Colver calls out.

“It’s getting there,” I say. “Can I help you?”

“I should get going. Rebecca is over there alone.”

“Hold on a second,” I say. “Colver, this is Jess. She owns the coffeeshop next door. She’s the coolest person I ever met in my life.”

“Hardly that,” Jess says. “I just give her free coffee.”

“How cute of you both,” Colver says. “Do I need to worry about anything here?”

“You’re disgusting,” I say. “That’s the first thing that goes through your head?”

Colver shrugs his shoulders. “Are we sure that baby is mine?”

My face turns bright red.

---