Page 34 of The Bad Boy's Homecoming
“Could you actually find my phone so I can check on the business site?”
“Yes, but we can’t let you work too much,” Levi said.
“If I run out of stock and don’t resupply, then the store will lose traction.”
“It’s just for a few days,” Levi said, but he leaned forward and gently put one hand on Missy’s leg, careful to see how she’d react.He was relieved when she didn’t flinch and met his eyes.
“I’m really sorry this happened, and I’ll make it up to you, but in the meantime can you just be honest with us and let us help you?It would make Gran and me feel a lot better about it.”
“It’s not your fault but okay.I’m just in the habit of doing everything for myself, so it’ll take some getting used to.”
“I get that.”
Then Gran walked back in and he stood to go get a few things for Missy.They spent the rest of the morning in the art studio while Missy made some updates to her online store and then Declan arrived at lunch with some treats from May’s coffee shop.
“May said she would be happy to come sit with you and keep you company any evening.You just shoot her a text,” Declan said.“And if you don’t, she’ll just invite herself to come by one evening.”
Declan handed Missy a very green concoction and he watched as she took a big sip and closed her eyes to savor it.
“Green must be your favorite color,” Levi said.And her eyes popped back open.
But Declan’s narrowed stare reminded him her cousin was probably not super comfortable with them staying in the same house.
“I just mean key lime pie and now this weird pureed grassy beverage,” Levi said.
“As a matter of fact, green is my favorite color but I never thought about it that way,” Missy said.“Now I wish I could paint something green.”
“What about sketching while you recover?”Declan said and pulled a fresh sketch pad and a box of pencils out of the bag he’d brought.“You used to always have a sketch pad wherever you went,” he added.
“Thank you.This is a great idea, Dec.”She immediately flipped open the notebook and pulled out a green pencil.
Levi was bummed he hadn’t thought to bring her something to do art with but enjoyed watching the way her delicate hand moved over the paper with the sharpened pencil.
“Levi, since I’m here, why don’t I take a look at that contract you mentioned yesterday.”
“That’d be great.I’ll grab it.”After he retrieved his tablet for Declan to review the contract, he decided he better leave them alone for a bit.
“I’m just going to see if Gran needs any help while you two visit.Holler if you need anything,” he said, leaving the art studio for the first time that morning.
He hadn’t thought about the contract since Missy hurt her hand and hadn’t even bothered to respond to his agent.For some reason getting back to the team was starting to seem like the least of his worries and he wasn’t sure if that was a good or bad thing.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Missy
A Pretty Face
“Are you sureyou’re comfortable here?I don’t like the idea of the Bad Boy of Baseball being in such close proximity to you,” Declan said.
Missy laughed at her overprotective cousin’s not so subtle approach.“He’s not so bad actually.Unless his sudden change of attitude is all a ploy?Do you think he’s trying to butter me up for free art?”
Declan looked over from the document he was reading.“No I think he’s trying to butter you up for other things.He didn’t get that reputation for nothing.”
Missy gulped.Why did the idea of Levi wanting her make her stomach flood with warmth and send a shiver over her at the same time?
“I don’t think I’m his type, especially as a cripple.”Missy held up her hand.
“Just remember he has a bad reputation and he’ll be leaving town again soon.”
