Page 26 of Darn Knit All

“Yours.”

I made a sound of disgust. “Remind me to never have a bright idea again. Alright, when do we begin?”

“Tonight?”

I thought of all the things I needed to do to make this happen.

“Tonight,” I agreed, beginning to make a mental list. “Let’s win you a million dollars.”

“It’s only two hundred and fifty thousand.”

“Not if we take it to a casino and bet it all on black,bay-bee.”

She clucked her tongue. “Goodbye, Theo.”

I was gratified to hear that some of the panic had eased from her voice.

“Later, Mai.”

I hit end and stared blankly at my phone, my gaze unfocussed.

Fuck. What the hell did I get us into?

CHAPTER 4

THEO

Theo

Have you ever tried hot dogs with ramen noodles?

Mai

Absolutely not

Theo

Do you want to? It's on the menu tonight

Mai

Absolutely—and I cannot emphasize this enough—NOT!

Iparked my car in the Garrett-Harris Paper lot, my hands flexing on the steering wheel. For the last ten-plus years, I’d worked as the head line supervisor, supporting my brother to bring the company back from the brink of insolvency.

It had been hard work turning around a failing business and making our paper products sustainable. Our father had driven the place into the ground before we’d taken it on, fighting toensure our workers would still have jobs. When Annie Harris had bought into the business, I’d been apprehensive. There’d been a lot of dirt lying between my twin and his ex-girlfriend—most of it unresolved.

Thankfully, it had all worked out. The lucky bastard had won her over through grit and determination, and our business had thrived under their leadership. While I couldn’t be happier for him—for them—I often felt like a third wheel in this partnership.

Making paper products hadn’t exactly been on the top ten things I’d do with my life list. Once upon a time, I’d planned to play ball at college, maybe try for the pros, and if that failed, I’d become an occupational therapist or something. Life had a way of fucking with your plans.

I’d spent the last decade of my life between these walls, working on the operations floor and supporting our staff. I’d been content with my life, resigned to the fact that while not glamourous or exciting, the work had purpose.

But lately, I’d felt a yearning to do something different. Exactly what, I had no idea.

“Let’s get this over with,” I muttered, climbing out of the car.

Had anyone ever asked what I wanted in life, most people might assume I’d request a new leg, or perhaps a million dollars.

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