Page 67 of Suddenly Entwined

My cheeks burn as I think of him with that towel around his hips.

“Are you here to discuss undergarments with me, Berg?”

It’s his turn to blush and I have to laugh because it’s so easy to turn the tables on him like that.

“We’re going to Isaac and Ashlyn’s for supper.”

A beat of silence stretches across the threshold.

“Have a good time?”

I know our lives are suddenly entwined, but I don’t need to know where he’s going every hour of the day. Even if he happens to cross my mind about that often. Some high pitched noises are escaping the closed doors of Berg’s truck that is swaying slightly on its suspension. Louisa has climbed into the driver's seat and is waving at me over the steering wheel.

“The girls thought…actually, no,” He looks down at his boots before making clear eye contact. “Ithought you mightwant to come along.”

Between Berg and my brother, I feel like I’m standing on the periphery of what is a very close knit friend group. Am I allowed to step into that circle?

“Will that be okay with them? Ashlyn and Isaac?”

Berg lifts his massive shoulders. “I don’t see why not. Get your things.”

I open my mouth to make some sort of excuse, but what else would I do tonight?

Fold that laundry?

Boring.

“Yeah, why not?” I echo his statement. “Meet you there?”

“You’re riding with me.”

The last thing I need is to spend more time in a tight space with him.

“Oh, that’s not…I can follow you.”

“I insist.”

While I’ve been learning lots about Louisa and Natalie, I’ve also done a deep dive into Berg’s disposition. There’s a time to push him and a time to go along with things. Bickering over who’s driving isn’t a hill to die on. An evening drive and supper with my hot landlord who I can’t seem to keep my paws off…and his daughters. No big deal. A few minutes later I’ve slipped out of my sweats into my favourite light wash jeans and I meet Berg back at my doorway where he’s hovering awkwardly at the threshold like he’s a vampire and the frame is decorated with garlic.

“You could have waited inside, it’s really nasty. Should we even be out?”

“We’re good. It’ll blow over.”

I lock up and he opens the passenger door for me. I am not prepared for the excitement level in the cab of the truck.

“You’re coming?”

“In our truck!”

Natalie and Louisa talk over each other while they dive back into their spots.

“You bet I am.”

It’s not a far drive to Isaac and Ashlyn’s neighbourhood. I’ve heard a lot about this house from my brother and I know they use the workshop behind the hundred-year-old Craftsman home for the business. Berg slows as we turn into a driveway of a beautiful home on the corner of two tree-lined streets. There’s a flower stand by the curb with a sign over it reading Cedar and Stem Flower Farm. Berg clears his throat then puts his arm on the back of my seat and twists to look at his daughters.

“You guys go first and scope it out, yeah?”

He doesn’t have to tell them twice and before I know it, they’ve sprinted across the front lawn, screeching as the rain pelts down on them. I’m alone with Berg in his truck while he watches until they make it up the front steps and let themselves inside. I’d been looking forward to having supper, but now I’ve lost my appetite as my stomach flips. Is he going to tell me that this isn’t working out? I swallow around a lump in my throat.I’ll be back on Mom and Dad’s couch by the end of the week. Or back at the bar.

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