Page 35 of Sticking Out

“That’s streaming?” I ask Gina, and she nods. “How about we watch that with popcorn tonight after swimming?”

“Yes,” she practically screeches.

“Inside voice, Zoe.” Just then the front door opens and a little squeak, much lower than Zoe’s crawls out of Gina’s throat when Ash walks in. She sets her cup down, and if I’m not mistaken, her cheeks are turning a light shade of pink.

I stand and slap Ash on the back. “Thanks for coming.”

Gina pushes back in her chair. “You called Ash to help with my fridge?”

“Yeah, sorry. Didn’t I tell you?”

“No, you just said you were calling a friend.” Gina stands, and smooths her hands over her apron. “You know how to fix fridges?”

“You seem surprised,” he mentions.

“No, I mean yes…I guess I am surprised.”

“This guy can fix anything,” I tell her. “His dad was a handyman, and he made sure his son learned the skills.”

“Oh, okay. Great. I really appreciate it, and I’ll pay you for your time of course.”

“Hi Ash,” Zoe says. “Do you want a bite of my cinnamon roll?”

He glances at Zoe and backs up, like he’s terrified of the little girl.

He holds his hand up, palm out. “No, I’m good.” Zoe shrugs and finishes off the roll, and Ash looks past Gina’s shoulders. “Do you have that screw?”

“What?” Gina says, the pink intensified in her cheeks.

“Screw.” Ash looks a bit flustered himself. “You got a screw loose.”

Gina almost looks offended. “I don’t have a screw loose.”

“No, I’m mean.” He holds up his metal toolbox. “I brought all my tools. I wasn’t sure what tool you might need.”

I bite back a chuckle, because this is coming out all wrong.

“He’s not insulting you, Gina. He’s asking about the screw you had in your hand earlier,” I explain, coming to their rescue. “Do you have it?”

“Oh, yeah, right.” Blinking rapidly, her chest rising and falling rapidly like she’d been running, she reaches into her apron and produces it. “Screw.”

I pick up Zoe’s small backpack. “You got everything you need?” She nods, and I help her put it on her back. “Okay, see you at the pool later, Ash.”

Ash grumbles something under his breath, as I turn back and spot Dani wagging her eyebrows and mouthing something to Gina, something that looks like, “Tell him what tool you need.”

13

Dani

It’s a beautiful sunny day and as I glance out the passenger side window and as Conner drives Zoe and me to the resort, I almost wish it would rain. Not that I want to ruin the pool party for everyone, or Noah’s turn with the cup, but a bunch of the guys and their wives are here and while I like them all, I don’t like the idea of being in my bathing suit in front of them. I will not, however, be a party pooper and ruin this day for Zoe, or for Conner.

“Are you going to tell me what you said to Gina?”

My eyes go wide and I put my hand over my mouth. “You heard me?”

“No, I saw you mouth something to her, and I think it was about Ash’s tools.”

I work to bite back a chuckle, but it bubbles from my throat. “Don’t say anything, but I’m pretty sure Gina likes him.”

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