Page 84 of Show Me How
Bryce tilts her head, looking too closely at me. My skin tightens under the scrutiny of it.
“Spend a few hours with her outside of work. Get to know her,” she encourages mildly.
The dick she thinks causes all of my problems kicks in my jeans at the mention of just how much time we have spent together outside of the studio. I roll my jaw and nod stiffly, ready for the conversation to end.
“She’s coming right now?”
“Yep. Pretty sure that’s her fancy fucking car pulling in right now.”
Daisy hums, following our stares. “It’s dirty. Someone should take it to the car wash for her.”
“No better place than the campground. A handwash would have it sparkling,” Bryce joins in.
I fight not to laugh. They don’t need to know that I’m enjoying their attempt at matchmaking. Honestly, as annoying as it is, it’s cute.
“I think she’s capable of washing her own car,” I reply.
Millie climbs out, and the first thing I notice is her goddamn heels. They dig into the ground but don’t pierce through. Not now that the ground has started to harden. We haven’t had the first frost of the year yet, but it’s coming soon. That’s why Daisy insisted that today was our last chance to pick a pumpkin.
“You need to get her out of those things,” Bryce tells me, focused on the same thing I am. “She’s one hole in the ground away from a broken ankle and a lawsuit.”
“You try it and tell me how it goes,” I mutter.
Head turning left and right, Millie starts toward where we’re waiting, not noticing us yet. She’s in a light pink, lace-sleeved dress today, this one brushing the tops of her knees instead of her mid-thigh, along with a matching jacket. The sheer socks she has on have lace and a slight ruffle around the ankle and somehow don’t look as fucking ridiculous as I’d have thoughtthey would. Somehow, they look right in place inside her white high heels.
I force myself not to go to her first and help lead her over to the women beside me. It’s not my place to help her with small shit like this. That’s a job for someone else.
“Millie!” Daisy calls, waving wildly. “Over here!”
Bryce watches Daisy, taking in her excitement with a subtle—damn near impossible to catch—hint of a pout. Fuck me, that never gets old.
“She looks like she pisses money,” Bryce says, almost to herself once she removes her eyes from Daisy.
“You did once upon a time too,” I remind her.
She bares her teeth at me. “Don’t remind me.”
Millie waves back at Daisy and makes her way over to us. I feel the moment she notices me. Like the universe pinched my chin and held it in place so I can’t look away. She smiles softly, nervously, and I swallow.
Her eyes scan the crowd, posture perfect, but her fingers twist around the strap of her purse. Even from here, I can tell she’s unsure. Still walking like she’s got eyes on her, still trying not to show the crack beneath the polish. It’s a trained behaviour. The kind that gets beaten into your head every day of your life. Suddenly, I want to bump against her just to ruin the perfection of it, but I’d never risk that.
“Hi,” she says once she stops only a few steps away from the three of us. “Thank you for inviting me. I’ve never been to a pumpkin patch before.”
Bryce still stares at her feet. “You need a pair of boots.”
“Boots?” Millie glances down, frowning. “Oh. I know these aren’t very ideal for this kind of thing.”
Something in my chest cracks at the nerves in her voice. The obvious embarrassment.
“They’re fine,” I snap, glaring at Bryce before I realize it. Her expression shifts, revealing her surprise. I ignore it, focusing on Millie and the way she’s looking up at me like she’s hoping I don’t keep pushing on that wound. “If your feet get sore, I’ll carry you around on my back like a fucking horse. Got it?”
I expect the sudden choking noise to be from Bryce, but it’s Daisy who bends over with a fist knocking her chest. Bryce’snicerhalf gawks at me while trying to catch her breath. Millie presses her knuckles to her mouth to hide a giggle that I know is trapped in her throat. I watch her boldly, debating whether or not I should just haul her away from everyone without a word.
“I’m going to get Daisy something to drink,” Bryce says, doing a shit job of not staring at me like she doesn’t recognize me.
I roll my eyes and let her haul her fiancée away. Millie turns slightly, drawing my attention back easily.
“A horse, huh?”
