Page 21 of Love You
Win sprawled out in his beanbag chair and one corner of his mouth tipped up. His obnoxious half grin did something to her insides. Something she didn’t want to explore too closely because Win’s smiles set women’s panties aflame across the Sierra Nevada. Probably across the Continental Divide. And she didn’t want to be one of them.
“I didn’t like how she told you to suck in your stomach,” he said. “It bugged the crap out of me.”
She lowered herself into one of the chairs and reached under her to toss away a pair of athletic socks. The place needed to be cleaned and organized. Not my job, she reminded herself. She’d done enough cleaning and organizing to last her a lifetime.
“We’ve got a complicated relationship,” she said. “Still, that wasn’t a reason to lie.”
“Sorry,” he said, but he didn’t look the least bit sorry. “Is it that bad being married to me?”
She laughed because it was difficult not to get caught up in Win’s charm. For a man who had the world by a string, he was pretty self-deprecating at times. “So far, you’re better than Lewis but the jury’s still out.”
“What’s up with your mother’s obsession with him? The dude struck me as a geek, just saying.”
A geek like her. They should’ve been the perfect match but they weren’t.
“He has his good points.”
Win twisted around in the beanbag chair. For someone over six feet tall, he was extremely agile. All that outdoors sports, she supposed.
“Yeah, what are they?”
“He wouldn’t hurt a fly and he’s a good businessman.” They’d lived in a gorgeous condo, drove new cars, and could travel whenever they wanted, though they rarely did.
“Selling real estate? Sounds boring.”
She’d always thought so but she hadn’t done the actual selling. Perhaps if Lewis had let her meet with clients and show property she would’ve enjoyed the job more. But he’d said she was more valuable to him in the office, doing the drudge work. The work he took for granted and forgot to ever give her credit for.
“Not everyone can play for a living,” she said, and he frowned. Must’ve touched a nerve. “You’re good at it, though, I’ll give you that.”
He nodded while scanning her outfit. “Your stomach looks okay in that. I wouldn’t worry about it.”
She self-consciously sucked it in, not sure if he was trying to get back at her for the “playing” comment.
“So I guess you’re really going to dinner with her,” Win said.
“She’s my mother. And thanks to you I’m going to get an earful about the stunt you pulled.”
“Ditch her and come with me to TJ’s.”
A part of her was more tempted than he would ever know. She rose, needing to return a few e-mails and power down her computer before she left for the evening. “See you tomorrow, Win.”
She dashed off a text to her mother and met her at Old Glory, where Geneva had already secured a table.
“Cute place,” Geneva said, doing a visual lap around the room.
“It’s known for its microbrews. The owner is really into craft beer.” Darcy had never acquired a taste for it herself and preferred wine or margaritas but she knew it was a huge draw for tourists and locals alike.
“Hmm.” Geneva peered at the menu. “Is there anything that isn’t fried?”
Darcy wanted to say it wouldn’t kill her to eat something with flavor for a change but what was the point? “I’m sure they can rustle up some lettuce or kale for you.”
“Was that supposed to be sarcastic?”
“I was just kidding,” Darcy said sheepishly. “They do have good salads.”
Geneva closed her menu and pushed it to the side. “Your husband didn’t want to join us?”
Now who was being sarcastic?
