Page 30 of Buckled in Barbwire

Me:He added a slight stipulation.

Bianca:Which is?

Me:Brody needs to settle down, or at least give the impression he’s getting serious.

Bianca:That doesn’t make sense. My brother is nothing but committed.

Me:To a woman.

Bianca:What?

Me:In order to officially become the owner, your dad is requiring Brody to be in a relationship.

Bianca:Why would he do that?

Me:Not sure. Maybe you can ask him.

Bianca:Okay, but what does that have to do with my brother kissing you?

I pause to give her a moment to process. The pieces fit together within seconds. A stream of messages floods in faster than I can read them.

Bianca:OH HELL NO!

Bianca:Brody wants you to be his girlfriend?!

Bianca:Just for show??

Bianca:What is he thinking?!

Bianca:Absolutely not. I won’t allow it.

Bianca:Is this a joke??

Bianca:I can’t believe he’d suggest using you like that.

Bianca:Tell me you’re kidding.

Bianca:Don’t you dare fall into that trap.

Bianca:For real, Lee.

Me:Not planning on it.

Bianca:Gah, I’m so mad. This is probably why he’s been asking about your schedule and what kind of flowers you like.

Me:Mhmm. He cleaned out Sassy Stems. Poppies are officiallyruined for me.

Bianca:Grrrr. I thought he was being nice. What a jerk.

Me:It’s fine. I’ll figure out how to get even.

Bianca:Make him pay, babes. Don’t hold back.

A slow smile lifts my mood at her prompting. Several possibilities sprout in my mind, taking shape into brilliant ideas. Brody is definitely going to feel my wrath.

Me:If you insist…

Bianca:I do, and he’ll be hearing from me too.

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