“I just had to hold his hand a few times,” Grant says with a chuckle.
“I had to let go, it was too sweaty. I don’t know how Lennox stands it,” I tease him back and he snorts.
All the guys have left the shop. It’s closing time, and I’ve recruited Grant and Michael to help me deliver the desk. I don’t know where I stand with London after her dad’s appearance two nights ago and I’ve used the extra time away from her to finish the desk.
I wanted to give her some space, to figure out her feelings. I also wanted to make sure I wasn’t being the same turd I used to be and putting my wants above her needs. Two days away from her, her bakery, her baked goods, nearly did me in. At this point in past relationships I was ready to jump ship, but with London, I feel like I’ve only tasted one of one million flavors and I can’t wait to try the rest.
“Well, let’s wrap it. Who knows when you’ll make something this pretty again” Michael says. The two of them wrap it while I grab the truck and back it up to the open garage door. The desk is small since London won’t be spending much time at it, mostly just to consult with clients who want custom orders. But I figured a beautiful woman should get the most beautiful desk. Which is why I carved a little something into the bottom of each drawer. An ice skate that looks nothing like an ice skate, a Christmas tree, mistletoe (which I still haven’t managed to locate, apparently they are out of stock in every store within a thirty-mile radius), and an S+L inside a heart.
We get it loaded and strapped easily enough, and head through town. Grant opted to bring his own vehicle so he could take himself and Michael home after. But I think it was more the fact that he didn’t want to sit on the hump seat between us.
“Where’s Trent?” Michael asks suddenly as if he just remembered we have another brother.
I had originally asked Trent for help, but then he’d confided in me his secret. “He’s…got an errand.” Is picking out wedding rings considered an errand? Most people do that between picking up eggs and getting the car washed, right?
“Well, I’m glad you guys are on better terms so we can enjoy one last work party all together.”
“Don’t get too excited, I heard Dad hired another pig.”
“He did not.”
I only shrug. “Who’s turn is it to embarrass themselves this year?” Two years ago Lennox had pulled a massive prank on us, ending the night with some interesting fireworks between her and Grant, the year before that my date made me belly dance with her, Trent toppled over a table and a psycho pig had a vendetta against Michael. Last year my grandma came in a bathrobe.
That’s where I saw that black robe she made me wear for the heist.
“Don’t jinx us,” Michael mutters.
I laugh as I pull into the strip mall, driving around the back and counting the doors until I find the bakery. “I’ll go talk to her; you start unstrapping it. Be careful, I don’t want it dented.”
Michael lifts an unamused brow. “Thank goodness you’re not my boss.”
“Nah, but Juliet is,” I snicker.
I hop out of the truck we affectionately refer to as Big Bird, because it’s the biggest, ugliest, yellowest truck there ever was.
I pull open the bakery door and run right into Grady.
“Oh, hey man.”
“I found a duck in the bathroom,” he says.
It takes me a moment to understand what he means. I bought a couple dozen miniature resin ducks and hid them around the shop the last time I was working here. I’ve been waiting for London to find them. “Cute, huh?”
“Did you know they glow in the dark?” Judging by his terse expression, he did not think it was cute.
“I did not. How fun,” I grin.
“I don’t understand why London likes you.”
I only smile bigger. “You and me both, buddy. Aren’t I lucky? Hey, where is she?”
He nods to the office.
Perfect.
“Knock, knock.”
London looks up from her laptop. “You know that’s more of an action than dialogue.”
