Page 30 of Finding Home

“I’m glad you have Noah. He’s a good man.”

“He’s the better man.”

He’s not you.Those three words tapped against her closed mouth trying to get out, but she wouldn’t let them.

“You’re both good men,” she said instead, reaching to squeeze his hand.

“You’re pretty good yourself.”

“I don’t feel pretty good right now,” she said playfully. “I mean here you are showing me your granny panties and?—”

“Granny panties?” he laughingly interrupted.

“You know the stuff you don’t put out there for everyone to see. Your granny panties.”

“So, how do we rectify the granny panty situation?” Playfulness sparked in his eyes.

“I think it’s only fair for you to ask me anything as well.” Repositioning herself cross-legged, back straight, she braced for his question.

“Anything?” He drew out each syllable.

Elle looked at the sly glint in his eyes for a moment before nodding yes. Anxiety pulsed through her, but she’d meet his vulnerability with hers. There was so much he could ask. So much she wasn’t ready to say about her mom, about herself but she’d take Viet’s advice and be open.

“Do you want to go shopping for a desk chair Sunday afternoon?”

She burst out in relieved giggles. “You can ask me anything, and that’s the best you can come up with?”

“There are no boundaries to anything. Plus, you need a better chair, and it is a good investment for the Little Red Barn to have a chair that won’t hobble future guests. We could go Sunday after the post-wedding brunch. Braedon sent me some chair options and several locations in Buffalo where they can be purchased.”

“I’m surprised they didn’t send you a map to each store.” Hearing his quick snort, she shook her head, knowing they’d indeed done just that. “I would happily accompany you to purchase a chair, but I am buying the chair and dinner after.”

“But it’s for my establishment.”

“Because of my butt.”

“But I’ll be keeping the chair.” He stood up, brushing grass off his backside.

“Consider me an investor, then.”

“Deal.” He put out his hand for her, lifting her to her feet.

“Deal,” she replied with a grin.

“It’s a date.”

Had she just agreed to go on a date with Clayton?Yep.

TWELVE

“Life seems but a quick succession of busy nothings.”

~Jane Austen,Mansfield Park

Bolstered by this morning’s run with Clayton, Elle stopped at Daryl’s Pizzeria on her way to Tobey and Jerome’s house and picked up lunch. The rest of the day would be focused on wedding setup and the rehearsal dinner.

Pulling up to Tobey and Jerome’s tree lined property, with its snatches of wildflowers and sloping hills, she smiled. Leafy trees danced in the breeze creating a romantic and whimsical setting perfect for a wedding or a production ofA Midsummer Night’s Dream.

“You are aware that I live alone and carry many bags at once from my car to my condo, right?” Elle grumbled as Uncle Pete rushed from the garage to help her with the bags of food.

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