Page 66 of The Grumpy Side of Paradise

And as I drive away, I have to wonder just how many little old men there are in Paradise Valley who are unintentionally determined to get Adam and me together.

I’m almost back to Paradise when I get a call from the person who keeps unintentionally trying to keep Adam and me apart.

“Good news or bad news first,” are Georgia’s first words after I answer her call.

“Bad.” Always better to get that out of the way first.

“Production canceled the meeting for tomorrow.” Her words come out fast, but she doesn’t sound upset. I guess it’s only me who feels like I’ve just been punched in the face with a fistful of disappointment.

“And the good news?”

“The project is definitely a go—they love the content you’re posting—” she pauses long enough for me to recover from the whiplash. “But it has to stay under wraps for a few more weeks until lawyers can get us contracts.”

We talk for a few more minutes. I only let her hear how thrilled I am about all the possibilities that lay ahead. I’m a pro at hiding disappointment, so she doesn’t know that’s what I’m also feeling.

Because the person I’ve been hoping to share this news with, to tell I’ll be staying in Paradise longer, is the same person I’ve been keeping the possibility from.

Chapter 30

Adam

Dakota had Georgia tell me she wasn’t coming to our wedding, but she left me a note, too. Both goodbyes were spineless. Since then, I’ve vowed that when I had something important to say to someone, I’d do it in person. It’s okay that Evie doesn’t live by this rule and that she texted me to say how she feels. I don’t blame her, but I don’t text her back.

What I want to say, I need tosay.

I got to the job site just after sunrise this morning so I can take off early. I’ve got to be at the restaurant earlier than usual—we’ve got a big group coming in for a birthday party—and I want to talk to Evie before I have to be there.

Except, when I get home, she’s not at her place. Which is fine because I want to clean up before I go over anyway, but I worry she won’t get home before I have to leave.

I shower quickly, my mind playing tricks on me the whole time. I think I hear her pulling into the driveway a thousand times. Her front door opens a thousand times too while I’m combing my hair and getting dressed. And I check the front and back windows a thousand more times for any sign of her.

There aren’t any. So instead of going crazy inside my house, I sit on her front steps, hoping she’ll get home before I freeze to death. I kick myself for not taking the time to get her flowers somewhere and try not to worry that I’ve made a huge mistake by not texting her back. What if she’s decided to leave because that’s the kind of distance she needs from me?

About the time my fingers go numb, and I convince myself that I’ll never see her again, I see her truck. If she sees me, she doesn’t give any sign as she turns the corner to go down the alley to the back of the house. I debate whether to walk to the back door and meet her there, but I stay where I am. I give her a minute before I raise my fist to knock on the door. Before I make contact, the door opens, and my fist almost hits her in the face.

“Sorry!” I drop my hand. Definitely not the impression I was hoping to make. “I was about to knock. I’m not trying to hit you. That’s not why I’m here.”

“Well, I hope not.” She fights back her grin. “Why are you here?

“I got your text.”

“Good to know.” This may be the longest I’ve ever seen her go without smiling. “I was beginning to wonder when you didn’t answer.”

“Yeah. Sorry.” I rake my hand through my hair. This would have been easier to do over text. Vows are stupid, and I will never make another one. Unless it’s the marriage kind. “I wanted to talk to you in person.”

She tips her head to the side, considering what I’ve said. Or making me wait like I’ve made her wait. Could be either.

“You want to come in?” she says finally and opens the door wide. “I’ve got a delivery for you anyway. From Nick.”

I follow her in, surprised that she’s surprised me yet again. “You met Nick? You get around, don’t you? Is there anyone in town you haven’t met?”

She turns and raises her eyebrow. “I get around?”

Heat sears from the top of my head to my chest. “That’s not what I meant! I just meant you keep hooking up with, I mean meet…” I shake my head. I’m making things so much worse.

Her other eyebrow joins the first. “Yes? Please go on.”

Her lip tugs again, but this time she can’t hold back the grin. It fills the space between us, and I feel a smile spreading across my face.

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