Page 28 of Blake Marshall Says He Needs Me

“Yeah, you’re gonna catch my foot up your butt if you keep it up,” Missy warned.

“Oh, let it be, honey,” Del laughed. “He could be calling her Carl instead.”

“Carl,” I hemmed. “It does have a nice ring to it.”

Missy threw her hands in the air. “I can’t believe this. Carla is her name. That’s it, nothing else.”

Yeah, I was never going to stop calling her Nugz. In the end, it was Missy’s fault because she called her Nugget the whole time she was pregnant. Nugget turned into Nugz, and it just stuck.

Little did Missy know that I had plans of getting her all sorts of personalized things with Nugz on them for the rest of her life.

Wilder drained his lemonade and handed the cup back to Flo. “Thanks for the refreshments, Del. It was just what I needed to finish up this move.”

Del winked at Wilder. “I will miss watching you come and go.”

“Del,” Shelby gasped. “Are you checking out Wilder?”

“I’m old, honey, not dead. I know a good-looking man when I see one.” Del leaned to the side and winked at me. “I didn’t see this one too often, but when I did, it was always a good sight.”

“Okay,” Shelby laughed. “I think it is time to finish up this move.” She hooked her arm through Wilder’s and pulled him to the box truck. “Load up, and let’s get me moved in with my fiancée.”

Missy kissed Clara goodbye and headed to the truck and trailer with Shannon and Charlie.

I had known that things were going to be awkward with Shannon, but I hadn’t expected her to avoid me so much.

For the past three days, I had gone over and over what I wanted to say to her and come to terms with what I wanted to happen in the future.

Ten years ago, Shannon was front and center in my future.

It had happened fast back then.

Sheldon had introduced me to his mentor for his medical promo, and I had fallen hard. At first, I didn’t think I would have a chance with Shannon, but it only took a couple of visits before I was going to see her rather than Sheldon.

Things had just been easy between us. We talked about any and everything, and there was never an awkward second between us. That all changed when Sheldon died.

Sheldon’s death was so random, and I needed a target to blame.

“You coming?” Charlie called. “There’s room with us.”

I smiled at Del and handed her the cup back. “Thank you.”

Del winked and blew me a kiss. “Don’t be shy around here, sweetie.”

“My god, Del. Can you not do that in front of the baby?” Flo chuckled. “She doesn’t need to be exposed to your debauchery so early in her little life.”

“Just having a little fun,” Del murmured.

“Have a good day, ladies.” I turned on my heel and felt a tight pinch to my butt.

“Nice and tight,” Del called.

“What’s with you?” Charlie asked when I hopped in the backseat of the truck.

“I just got goosed by a ninety-year-old,” I grumbled.

“She didn't,” Shannon laughed.

“She did, and I’m pretty sure she was proud,” I grunted. I buckled my seat belt and slid my sunglasses over my eyes. “I was violated.”

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