Page 25 of Burn With Me

I grab my bag for my meeting. Thankful that I try to make sure I have everything I need packed ahead of time, so it’s less stressful on the way out the door because . . . ADHD. I’m normally late and freak out that I forgot something. It’s a horrible cycle.

“Are you sure you’re good to close up? I know it’s like thirty more minutes, but I hate leaving you here to do it all alone,” I say.

“Go. It’s fine. I could do it in my sleep. I’m going to grab some of the newer crops to sample and make sure everything is on track,” she says, basically pushing me out the door.

“Okay, can you check on the shrimp too? Oh, and call me if you need anything.”

“Yeah, but I promise I won’t need anything. Someone’s walking up to the community section. I’ll go over there and make sure they don’t need help, but then start locking up so they don’t wander where you don’t want them to. Have fun, and I can’t wait to hear about your date tomorrow. Oh, and thanks for talking over my thesis with me,” she says.

“No problem. Make sure you have your phone on you while you’re alone with the customer,” I say.

While we have a low crime rate here in Griffin’s Den, the farm borders the outskirts of the town, and she knows safety is always a number one priority for me.

As I walk to my car, it feels like someone is watching me.

I turn around to give Kristen a hard time thinking it’s her, but I see the customer standing by the door with their hood pulled low. I can’t tell if I recognize them, but I lift my hand in greeting. As I hop in the car to head to the meeting with the contractor, a cop car pulls up next to me, and I groan.

“Hi, Brian. . . How can I help you?” I don’t have time for this right now.

“I just wanted to check on you. You know, make sure everything is going okay in the neighborhood,” he says with a smirk that screamseven though you’ve told me no, I’m going to keep trying.

“Everything is fine. I was just going to meet with Wayne over at his office. If you don’t need anything else, I’ll talk to you later. I don’t want to be late,” I say, trying to end the conversation as quickly as possible.

“What about after that? Want to go to dinner?” he says, causing me to mentally roll my eyes.

“Sorry, I have plans. Thanks for checking in to make sure everything is good in the area. I’m sure other businesses are happy you’re keeping an eye out.”

“You always have plans, Amelia. One day you’ll cave and give in to going on a date with me. You’ll realize how great we can be together,” he says and then backs up just enough for me to get out of my parking spot.

As I back my Jeep out, hoping to get out of here as fast as possible, I get a text in the group chat with Pam, Luna, and Abby, and I listen to it as I pull away.

Pam: What are we doing for girls’ night this weekend?

Using voice to text, I respond.

Me: We stayed in last time, let’s go out somewhere. You guys pick

I have to go into my meeting, and I’m running late because creepy-ass Brian showed up as I was leaving.

Luna: I’d say good luck, but your design looks great

Pam: Call on your way to your house before your date But also, gross, why does he just not get the hint?

Abby: Brian is probably dying because no one in his whole life has told him no as many times as you have.

I notice Luna doesn’t comment on the date, only the work stuff. She might not be as open as the three of us are, and sometimes I have a feeling she’s hiding something from us, but I hope in time she’ll open up with us.

One thing I do know is that she works too much, and if I could steal her away from her job at the bed-and-breakfast, I would in a heartbeat. She has a knack for customer service, and I’d love to have her on the team.

I park the Jeep and walk into the building to meet with Wayne. He’s amazing, and I’m so lucky I found a contractor who takes my design ideas and helps me not only make them a reality but improve them.

I took a risk working with someone who didn’t specialize in building aquaponic greenhouses, but my layout was different from any other I’ve seen before. The offices are in a central hub, and different sections off the hub are specific based on the temperature needed for the fish and the plants.

Wayne rushes in. “Sorry, darlin’. There was an accident on the way back, and I got stuck in some traffic.”

“No problem, I just got here. Everyone is okay though, right?” I ask.

“I think so. I was so excited about the plans for the addition that I didn’t pay too much attention. I’ve been doing some research and am excited to show you not only what I’ve learned but some ideas that I think will help with the next phase of what you’re building,” he says with a smile, and again, I’m reminded how lucky I am to work with him.

---