Page 65 of Needing More
"You took the last one," a voice to her right said.
Turning, Sapphire stared directly at the frowning freckled woman with a cute red bob.
Looking back at the blank space where the long tray of sausages once sat, Sapphire looked back at the woman and gave her an apologetic smile. "I'm sure they have more in the back. I can ask-"
"No, not the sausages," the woman whispered through clenched teeth. Looking around much like Sapphire had done earlier at the hardware store the freckled redhead leaned forward closer to Sapphire. "I'm talking about the Heathens. You took Vic, didn't you? I heard it from a girl down at the nail salon. Well, a few women actually," she added.
Sapphire blinked at her. Taking a leery step back, she eyed the woman. "This isn't you trying to fight me, or worse, shoot me, right?" she asked, looking at the woman's person for a gun.
The redhead chuckled. "No. I'm not crazy. Jealous as fuck, but not crazy. How the hell did you do it, you little hussy?" she sighed longingly as if the term was some sort of endearment. "I would have given my right foot for one of them boys, and you went and took all three!"
Sapphire felt the heat rush to her face. "Umm I mean,…" she really wasn't sure what to say, this was such a random topic. "To be honest, it's not that easy to maintain a relationship with all three of them," she said truthfully.
The redhead narrowed her blue eyes scornfully at her. "Oh yeah, it must be real hard blowing three of the finest cocks from here to Houston all night. Don't give me that shit, little girl," the woman hissed and Sapphire was only too grateful the woman seemed to be very mindful of anyone overhearing. "I wish I wasburdenedwith such a task." The woman rolled her eyes.
Sapphire couldn't help but laugh at that.
Laughing herself, the woman smiled and finally stepped back and extended her hand. "My name is Vicky. I work at the insurance office in town. I'm jealous as hell, a huge unapologetic gossip, and just like every woman in this town I'm low-key obsessed with your relationship as well as with those chocolate dipped madeleines you make. If you ever want to know the tea in town invite me over with a plate of those and I'll sing like a canary."
Sapphire laughed. "Sounds like a deal."
The next day the four of them were sitting outside in the gazebo eating lunch.
Laughter from the barn punctuated the air every now and then as Bailey and his large crew of nephews and brothers sat around the picnic tables feasting on the lunch she spent the morning preparing. All day the men worked together painting the house. Nearly halfway done, the old farmhouse was already looking beautiful.
At least the outside was looking nice, she thought mournfully as she remembered the state of the kitchen.
"You're thinking about the kitchen again, aren't you?" Joel teased.
Pouting, Sapphire nodded. Instead of using the grill outside like Joel suggested, Sapphire had cooked over three dozen hamburgers and hot dogs inside the kitchen. Between the potato salad, macaroni, and French fries the kitchen was a mess. All because she didn’t want to admit she had no idea how to use Vic's fancy looking gas grill.
"You should've just told me you needed help, sweetheart," Joel said, reaching across the table for her hand. "I would've taught you how to use it."
Sapphire just made a grunting sound under her breath.
Grinning, Joel popped another chip into his mouth. "You're such a prideful little thing."
Hayden bumped his shoulder into hers bringing her attention to him. "You got to learn to ask us for help."
Vic who was sitting on the other side of him tapping on his phone until now lifted up his phone. "I agree and that's why I am ordering you this. It's the biggest one they had."
Showing her his phone they all looked at the confirmation page of a brand-new dishwasher.
"Once it gets here, I’ll install it and we'll never have to endure a sink full of dishes again," he promised.
Sapphire smiled brightly at him and naturally turned up her face without a second thought. Taking the offered invitation, he kissed her.
It was only when he pulled back did she realize what she had done and quickly looked at Hayden. She didn't have time to consider his expression when Joel's phone alarm went off with its familiar tune.
All three men groaned at once.
"I’d much rather stay here today," Hayden grumbled, checking his watch.
"Who are you telling?" Joel yawned and stretched both arms over his head. "It's feeling less and less like the good ol' days at the bar and more and more like we're just washed-up Chippendales, serving all the horny women of this town, and enabling a very real drinking problem amongst the men of Holter."
"Aww, you're not washed up to me," she assured him.
The dimples in Joel's sexy smile deepened as his blue eyes burned into hers. "Oh, I'll show you some moves later on tonight."
