Page 64 of Hiding for the Holidays
I smile down at her. “Of course.”
I follow her to the back and notice Asher punching away at one of the hanging bags. He looks pissed. I know that hearinghow Scott touched her set him off. None of us like to hear that shit, but he really has a hard time with domestic violence since his dad used to beat his mother.
From past experience, I know it’s best just to let him work his anger out on the bag; he’ll calm down in an hour.
We take the rest of the afternoon to set up the lights, and when we finish, it’s closing time.
“We really should stay open late. Lots of people want to work out after dinner in the evening,” Rosalie says as we lock the door and climb into Leo’s truck.
“But we need time off, too. It’s not healthy to be there for fifteen hours. We’re already pushing it,” I tell her.
"Well you are, you open at six, you should leave early.”
I shrug. “What am I going to do without you three? I’d be bored.”
“We should hire someone for the evening shift, then we could end earlier, too,” Leo suggests.
“Maybe we should wait until we’re in the green,” Rosalie suggests.
“We will be by next month at the rate we’re going. And I have a feeling the Open House will give us a bunch of new signups, too,” I tell her before turning to Leo. “Let’s make it happen. Can you post something online tonight?”
“Sure, but isn’t that normally something you like to do?” he asks in confusion.
“Normally I would be, but I have plans tonight.”
“You do?” They ask in unison.
I pull out my phone and start typing away as I reply, “Yep,” letting the p pop.
“Doing what?” Asher asks from the backseat beside Rosalie.
“I have a date.”
Everyone is silent as I press send, then I glance over my shoulder to see her hurt and confused expression. Her phonepings, and she lifts it up to read my message. She instantly relaxes as a smile covers her face. She quickly types back, and my phone pings.
I glance down at our conversation.
Me: Would you like to go on a date with me tonight?
Rosalie: That was mean! But I’d love to.
Me: I’ll have to make it up to you then.
Rosalie: Yes, you will
“What are you two texting about?” Leo asks with a hint of amusement in his voice.
“Rosie and I are going out on a date tonight. You two will have to keep yourselves busy for the evening.”
“Asher, do you want to play Halo? I haven’t beaten you for a while.”
Asher snorts in amusement before he replies, “You’re on.”
An hour later, it’s just Rosie and me in my charger as I drive us to the next town over.
“It is really called Whispering Pines?” she asked with amusement.
“Yep.”
