Page 41 of Big Dix

“Ev, grab me that pan of peanut butter fudge out of the fridge?”

I open the refrigerator door, grab the pan, and lay it on the counter.

“Hand me the tray; I’ll load it up.”

Jen shakes her head before answering. “No way. It’s your day off.”

“Girl, give me the tray. I can talk and help.” I head toward the sink and wash my hands before I slip on a pair of gloves. “So, after the dinner from hell, he took me up to this piece of property he owns, and the view was amazing. You can see the whole city and the mountains. It’s so pretty. He was super sweet and apologized, but really, it wasn’t like he invited her. It isn’t his fault she’s nuts.”

I start to layer the fudge on the display tray and continue my story.

“Anyway, he got one of those tinfoil swans to go from the restaurant. Did you know that a restaurant actually made those things? I had no idea. I’ve only ever seen them in movies. We were sitting on the hood of his car, enjoying the view, listening to music, just chatting, and Jen, he opened the swan and gave me bread!”

“Stop it! He did not? When’s the wedding?”

“Right? Also, we need to figure out what the hell that restaurant does to that bread. You think Kim might know since she used to work there?”

“Maybe, we can ask when she comes in. She should be here soon. Are your parents on board for opening and working here while we are gone with Atticus this weekend?”

“Yeah. I mean, I haven’t asked my parents yet, but they will. They love to chip in. But that’s the thing. I’m not sure we are still going.”

Jen stops layering the display tray with the handmade chocolates to face me. “Did something happen? It sounded like your date went well.”

“It did go well. But I didn’t tell you everything just yet.”

Jen smiles; she already knows I broke out my ho moves. “You had sex!” She points at me and laughs. “I knew you would! All that dirty talk was your build-up!”

“I did. It was amazing, but Atticus left without waking me up. I’m not sure what to make of that. Here, read this.”

I hand her the note, and as she reads, her brow furrows. “So, what’s the problem?”

What’s the problem? Didn’t she read it? It feels like a blow-off. And I have to say I am sort of hurt by it.

“Doesn’t it feel like a thanks-for-letting-me-hit-it-and-quit-it type of note? Then the sneaking out, what was that?”

“I think you’re reading too much into it. I think it’s a guy who had a genuinely good time with you, but he had to get up and go to practice.

I mean, aren’t we still going to the farm this weekend?”

Shit. Am I overthinking this? Maybe I am.

“Yeah,as far as I know. He didn’t uninvite me or anything.”

Jen places her hands on my shoulders and smiles. “So, stop stressing out about it. Let’s see if he gets in touch with you. If he doesn’t, we’ll toilet paper his house or something. Until then, give the man a break.”

I hate it when she’s rational. I know she’s right. So, I do the only thing I can think of to get us off the subject of Atticus.

“So, what’s up with you and Maddox?”

Jen drops her hands from my shoulders and places them on her hips. “Nice try. Stop trying to change the subject.”

She knows me too well.

TWENTY-FOUR

Atticus

I’m surprised I wasn’t more exhausted during practice after last night, but I was on top of my game today. Maybe finally getting things with Evelyn in a little bit better place helped me mentally. Clearly, I was helped physically.

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