Page 2 of Josh Dalton

CHAPTER TWO

KIM

The last boutique I visit wants me to bring extra pieces. That’ll be difficult. I’m having trouble keeping up with orders. May have to bring in a third person to keep up with the demand, but if I do, I’ll need a bigger space than my spare bedroom. I don’t want to grow too big. That scares me. But what do you do?

As I dodge people on the way back to my apartment, my phone rings. I dig through my purse and pull it out. Someone rams into me from behind. Why can’t people pay attention?

I look at the caller’s name and drop the phone back into my purse. No one important.

I’m sweating when I get home. I’m lucky the five boutiques that carry my jewelry are all within walking distance of where I live, or I’d be soaked.

I walk into my spare bedroom and leave my bag on the worktable. This is a space I love. Supplies are organized on shelves against the walls. There isn’t enough space for a fourth person. The two ladies who help create my jewelry live in the same building as me. It’s convenient for all of us. Changes need to be made, though. Finding a bigger space not too far away is the main one.

I sell most of my jewelry on my website and through word of mouth. Word of mouth is big in this city. I could have moved to New York and sold my jewelry in the boutiques there, but I decided on Chicago. New York doesn’t hold very warm memories for me. I need distance from there. Besides, I make good money here. Get to save some for a rainy day.

The cost of living here is cheaper, too. I’m happy where I am. That means a lot to me. I haven’t been happy for a long time, until I changed careers. My old job modeling was to cutthroat for my liking, and it was fast paced. Wasn’t making me happy.

I receive a text from Rachel wanting me to meet her tonight. Dang it, I hate turning her down, and I haven’t seen her for a while. I feel bad, but I’d rather go home and soak in the tub with a good book. She won’t be too disappointed with me because I don’t go out much. Never been a party girl. On that note, I’ll be seeing her tomorrow anyway, at Zoey’s engagement party.

I’ve saved a beautiful bracelet from my last collection for Zoey. You don’t normally have to bring a present to an engagement party, but I thought this bracelet could count as thesomething blueshe could wear on her wedding day. I’m thrilled for her. She wasn’t even trying to find someone, and then Ryder came along. For sure wasn’t love at first sight. It took two or three encounters before they started growing on each other.

I want to be married and have kids. Just don’t know if I will ever find Mr. Right. God knows I’ve found my share of Mr. Wrongs over the years. And I’m not picky. But it’s a rough world out there for a single girl. Hopefully, my guy will come along and sweep me off my feet. Just have to be patient, is all.

CHAPTER THREE

JOSH

Mom will never let me forget it if I’m late for my brother’s engagement party. I really don’t want to go, and if there were any way I could avoid it, I would. Thought about having my assistant call me for a work emergency, but they would all know that was a lie.

It’s not that I don’t want to be with my family. It’s the standing around making small talk I can’t stand. My family knows how I am, and they don’t pressure me into making idle chitchat. For these kinds of things, though, it’s mandatory. Can’t walk away after a few grunts.

I park my car in front of my parents’ house and go in. Guests are in the formal dining room and backyard. I didn’t expect to see so many people. Lots of kids running around. Oh, joy.

I spot my parents talking to two women I don’t recognize. All I can see are their backs. One is a curvy redhead with a knockout body. And the other one I can’t take my eyes off. Tall and slender, with long blonde hair falling to the middle of her back. Both girls are dressed in long floaty dresses that show their shape.

There’s something about the blonde.

I walk toward them, intending to let my parents know I’ve made it, and then I can sneak out without anybody noticing. I’m not staying long.

Unfortunately, on the way over there, I’m waylaid by my brothers and cousins. Haven’t stayed in contact with our New York cousins like my brothers have. I lost touch after joining the Navy and then the Seals. They all seem happily married now, though. Good for them.

I finally make it to my parents. The two women talking with them earlier have left. Dang it, I wanted to learn who the blonde was. I know better than to ask Mom. She would have me married off to her before I got a name.

There aren’t a lot of women here today. Which is unusual. Mom likes to ask all her friends’ single daughters to join her parties. She loves playing matchmaker, even though it’s never amounted to anything. My brothers, me included, can’t stand the girls who attend these things. They’re basically gold diggers. Maybe Mom understands that now.

“Mom.” I walk up and give her a kiss on the cheek.

Dad pats me on the shoulder.

“We were worried you wouldn’t come.” Mom’s tone conveys her frustration that I’m tardy. I notice the party is in full swing. I’m only thirty minutes late. What’s the problem?

Dad laughs at Mom’s tone.

“At least he showed up.”

I nod at Dad over Mom’s head, letting him know I appreciate the backup.

That’s when I catch a glimpse of blonde hair. Wonder if it’s her.

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