Page 37 of To Have and to Scold

“Ha. Ha.” He looks at the box I’m holding and then reaches to take it from me. “So again, the purpose of this outing is to…?”

“Look. This space is all I have. I can’t recommend a variety of venues to my brides like I’m used to doing. So I just thought that instead of scratching off all my nail polish in sheer boredom while watching the Barbie animated movies all night, I’d see if there was anything I could do to speed the process along.”

“Wow. Okay. There’s a lot I could say.” He snatches my hands to see that I have indeed been peeling off my manicure.

It’s a disgusting habit. Atlanta Dallas wouldn’t have done it. Atlanta Dallas had her life together.

I fight the pull to go into wistful mode right now about my former self and instead try to snatch my hand away. He holds onto it even tighter. “I like the natural look.”

“Natural? Is that a nice way of saying feral? Or like I’m a kid? Cause that’s how I feel.” I reclaim my fingers from his and try to brighten with a smile. “Don’t worry. I’m going to fix it before I meet with clients tomorrow.”

“And the Barbie movies?”

“Just childhood nostalgia. That’s all. They’re actually amazing movies.”

He chuckles. “Never seen them.” He uses a lever to take the top off the bucket of paint.

“You’re missing out,” I say in a teasing voice.

“You’ve been bored here?” Beck asks. “As a Willow Covian, that makes me sad.”

“That’s me.” I laugh. “Sad.” I’m saying it with a smile, since I have to fight that stigma of the uptight, bossy, obsessive wedding planner.

Am I an uptight, bossy, obsessive wedding planner?

Yes. Doesn’t mean I want other people to know that.

A loud bark comes from the kitchen, and I’m accosted with all sorts of wild thoughts simultaneously.

“Is there a wild dog infestation in here?” I ask, only half kidding, widening my stance, feeling my eyes grow large.

Beck chuckles. “I had to bring my dog. He’s in his crate in the kitchen.”

“You missed him too much after working a long day?”

“I brought him to volleyball with me and afterwards he was acting mopey, extra tired. I wanted to keep an eye on him.”

“Well, are you going to introduce me to the beast or what?”

A slow smile spreads across Beck’s face. “Of course.”

I follow him into the kitchen and the golden retriever is chomping at the bit to be let out of his crate. He gets some attention from Beck after being let out and then trots over to me. I hold out my fist so he can sniff and then tentatively place a hand on his reddish-gold head. He swipes his tongue out to lick me before I can do anything about it.

“You sneaky guy, stealing a kiss like that.” I say with a laugh.

There’s a slight air of wonder to his voice. “He likes you.”

“I’m starting to gain a reputation amongst the animals of Willow Cove. First the llama and now your dog?”

“His name is Ace.”

I get down on my knees and meet Ace’s gaze. “Nice to meet you, Ace.” The dog yelps and then spins in a circle. He starts running down the back hallway. He spins again, furiously, and then paws at the back door, the one that leads straight to the beach.

“He must have to go relieve himself really badly,” I say.

“Probably not. He’s just dramatic.”

We reach the back door, and the dog shoots out and toward the sand, immediately stopping his whining. He does a slow trot, gazing around the scene like he doesn’t have a care in the world.

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