Page 69 of A Little More

Ms. Peggy walked to the middle of the room and took out her phone, taking a few pictures. “I have got to show Brenda. She has wanted her kitchen remodeled for the longest time. I will be sure to give her your number.”

“But—”

“I don’t know what you charge, but don’t let her husband talk down your commission. He’s the stingiest man I’ve ever met. I swear Brenda’s going to have to pry the checkbook out of that man’s cold hand.”

“Dale isn’t that bad,” said Nash.

“I’ll take Lexi’s opinion over yours. Just wait until you meet him.”

“I met him on Saturday.” When both he and Junior probably figured out that she was sleeping with Nash. “But I can’t design her a kitchen. I won’t be coming down after tomorrow.”

Ms. Peggy blinked, her focus shifting between her and Nash. “What do you mean?”

“My boss made it clear that my role in designing the shop is over. I need to spend more time with my other clients.”

“But you and Nash…” She set her hands on her hips, her eyes turning cold and laser-locked only on Nash. “What am I missing?”

“Nothing,” Lexi continued. Nash crossed his arms, his posture tense. Obviously, he wasn’t going to try and explain anything based on his dark scowl. “We live in different places and have different lives.”

“But you two,” she said and drew in a deep breath, “are made for each other. I’ve watched you since day one. You can’t be serious about tossing what you have aside.”

Lexi couldn’t begin to let her mind imagine what Ms. Peggy had insinuated. Nash hadn’t once indicated he loved her. “We said temporary since the beginning.” Her tone of voice sounded far more upbeat than her emotions. “We both knew what we were getting into.” She held her hands out. “This is the end.”

Ms. Peggy smiled in a way that worried Lexi. Like she had a secret. “Youthoughtyou knew what you were getting into.” She shook her head and walked toward the front door. With a half-hearted wave, she called over her shoulder, “You’ll see.”

The door closed. Lexi glared at Nash. “Why didn’t you do something other than standing there? You should have been the one to explain why we aren’t staying together. She’syourmom. Now, I’m the bad guy.”

“We never finished that conversation,” he shot back with a little more heat than she’d expected. “You’re the one that’s made all the decisions so far.”

“Because I’m not moving down here, and I won’t be the one to let you throw your life away a second time and move to Atlanta for me.” She wasn’t worth it. She wasn’t worth him leaving Ms. Peggy, destroying Nash’s dreams. Too many people depended on him. This break-up would cut deep at first but slowly fade. It had to, or else she’d be miserable for the rest of her life.

Nash shoved his hands in his jean pockets. “I’m not too fond of you making decisions about what I will and won’t do with my life.”

“There’s no decision to make. Our two lives just don’t fit.”

“Because you won’t even try.”

Frustration started to take over. “This is why I don’t want to get married, Nash. I don’t want to compromise with my plans. My life. I can take care of myself the way things are now.”

He leaned over slightly, his voice sharpening. “Have you ever stopped to think that your life could be better? That we are better together.”

No. She couldn’t fathom it. Someone always lost in a compromise. Nash had lost before. She wouldn’t let him take that risk again. She loved him too much.

Lexi took two slow steps to stand in front of him. “I don’t want us to fight until we don’t have any relationship, including a friendship.”

He crossed his arm, his face not revealing anything other than the quiet stubbornness she already knew he possessed.

She set her hand on his forearm. “Please, baby.” The creases around his eyes relaxed a little with the endearment. “Nash.” Her voice sounded so distant, the emotional exhaustion of trying to do the right thing pulling her under. “We can say goodbye tomorrow.”

“You dodged a bullet.”Dewey cut his steak and popped a piece in his mouth, chewing for a moment before continuing. “I don’t think you lost more than fifteen percent. That’s better than the counties around us.” He took a drink of sweet tea. “Pretty damn lucky.” He grimaced. “Sorry, Ms. P,” he said to Nash’s mom.

Nash took a bite of steak. After the fields had dried out, some of the stalks were destroyed, but Dewey was right. Nash didn’t lose nearly as much as he’d thought he would. It was a small victory. Losing Lexi had overshadowed everything else.

“I’m thankful,” he said. At least Dewey would speak to him. His mom, sitting on the other side of her small kitchen table had yet to utter a civil word to him since Lexi left three days earlier.

“Is your steak okay, Ms. P?”

She sent Dewey a pleasant smile. “It’s delicious, honey.”

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