Page 94 of The Proposal Pact
After a quick rinse, I pull on my denim pink mini skirt that hugs what little curves I have nicely, light pink cowboy boots Gracie got me for one of the Christmases back in New York and throw an oversized knit turtleneck in the cutest pastel green color that I found in one of the shops here.
It’s gotten progressively colder over the last week in Loverly Cave but still not as freezing as it’d be already back in NY. Just before I’m about to head out, I catch sight of Clover’s jacket hanging on the hook.
Theè mou.The idiot was in such a rush to get away from me, he forgot it, and now he’ll be freezing out there the whole day. My hand reaches over to it, brushing against the denim material with plush inside lining, burring my nose in his fresh scent.
I feel a low moan build inside my throat and quickly jump away from the jacket.
Nope, no, no, hell no. I will not be that crazy girl.
Looping my favorite lemon-purse over my shoulder, I head out the door, deciding I will not think of my infuriating husband the whole day. That’s not what this marriage is about and I need to do well to remember it.
“Ah, you are seriously a genius!” Gracie claps her hands after I get her system up and running in no time. I have no idea how she managed to erase the program last night, but I got it back up and running.
Taking a sip of my favorite matcha from Julie’s shop that she already had waiting for me when I showed up, I smirk. “I know.”
“I will ignore that smug look on your face because you just saved my day.”
“Again,” I add for her, taking another sip.
“Stop pretending you’re not secretly enjoying this. I can see how your face lights up when you sit down to untangle my web mess.”
Before I can answer her, a customer walks in and Gracie walks over to help her, leaving me to mull over her words.
Maybe I could go back to it if I were to do it Loverly Cave style, without the insane pressure, backstabbing, and stress of big corporations. Because I can’t deny I secretly love these calls from Grace or Julie who need my help with something technical. I loved creating their websites, enjoying the freedom they gave me.
But at the same time, it’s not enough for me. It’s too easy and I crave a good challenge. Scratch that, I need it because it’d take my mind off one particular grumpy sheriff.
“I see those wheels in your head working hard,” Gracie tells me after she’s done ringing up her customer and I swing over in my chair toward her.
“I think I just realized that I miss my job.”
“Oh, lumos! Please don’t tell me you’re planning to move back to New York?” Gracie panics and I chuckle.
“Hell no. But…maybe I could try to do some freelance jobs?”
Her face lights up with a beaming smile only Grace is capable of. “Yes!” She claps her hands. “I think that’s a brilliant idea. We should go celebrate it.”
“I didn’t land a job yet, you dork.”
“It doesn’t matter. Call it early motivation.” She grabs her purse from behind the counter.
“You are in the middle of a workday,” I point out, but Grace only scoffs.
“And?” She looks at me like I’m the one talking nonsense here. “Let’s go, the baby is craving chicken tortilla soup.”
“And there it is. This has nothing to do with me and all about you using me as a cover-up for your cravings.”
“You know me too well.” She shoots me a saccharine sweet smile, and we both laugh, heading out the door.
“So, how’s married life?” Grace asks as we walk down the street, and I sigh internally. She’s like a bloodhound with a bone.
“Same as it was yesterday when you asked me. And the day before, and the one before that.”
“Well, sue and arrest me for caring about my best friend who looks quite miserable these past few days.”
“The arrest happens before the suing.”
“Sweet Harry, things must be really bad if you’re usingthatfor deflection.”
