Page 84 of Opposites (Never) Attract
“Asshole,” Ethan muttered.
“Fuck wad,” Tag added.
“Don’t worry, guys,” I told them, feeling a confidence born from a new sense of purpose. Save the ranch, save the town, save my families, and beat that shark. “I got this.”
SEVENTEEN
TAG
Two DaysLater
I stoppedat the door to the study and was about to knock, when I heard Sun’s voice just beyond the door.
Once the town had voted on the plan, Sunshine hadn’t wasted any time. She and Carter had been huddled together in the first floor study of the Lodge for the past few days dealing with all the financial stuff. Equity loans, liquidated savings. All stuff I knew nothing about.
Sunshine had moved in what little she’d brought with her from her mom’s house, to stay at the ranch, in a guest room upstairs. It was just easier, rather than commuting back and forth to her mom’s place. And the beds here, according to Sunshine, were much better.
It had been an effort on my part to give her the space she needed to work.
More of an effort than it should have been, if I was being honest with myself.
But, Ethan told me today that she wasn’t going to herroom at night. She slept on the couch in the study. And she wasn’t eating regular meals.
The woman needed someone to take care of her, and I’d promised to be the guy to do that.
“I understand that,” she said, her voice raised enough that I could hear it through the door. “But, I need a few more days.”
There was no answer, just her voice again, which led me to conclude she was on the phone.
“Of course, I want to be partner, Jared. It’s what I’ve been working toward these last few years!”
Silence.
“No. My family tragedy has not made me over emotional. I’m simply expressing the fact that I’ve worked very hard for this firm for the past ten years. Asking for a few days while I deal with a personal family matter is not going to cripple the business.”
More silence.
“Yes, sir. Of course, sir. I’m sorry if you thought I was raising my voice. That was not my intention.”
Another beat.
“Yes. I understand. As soon as possible. I will.”
I waited a few seconds, then knocked on the door. I heard her say something and just assumed the invitation. When I opened the door, she was leaning against the front of the desk. Her head was down, her thumb nail was firmly locked between her teeth, and her shoulders were hunched forward in a manner I didn’t like.
This wasn’t the woman from a few days ago, who stood outside the town hall for over three hours, explaining bitcoin to the citizens of Last Hope, who, having decided to trust her, were serious about her plan.
This woman looked defeated.
“Hey,” I said, softly. “I came to check on you.”
She twisted her head toward me, her sleek bob bouncing around her neck. She was back in her business clothes, which maybe helped to remind her she was a badass business woman, but I could say, definitively, I much preferred her look as a cowgirl.
“I’m good,” she insisted.
“Heard you talking on the phone,” I said. I wasn’t an eavesdropper by nature, but I wanted to let her know she had someone she could talk about her call with if she wanted to. “Sounded…tense.”
“Did I sound emotional to you?” she grilled me. “Hypersensitive?”
