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I mock a wince. “Whoops.” I can’t say that I didn’t warn him because I hadn’t counted on him staying the night and then taking the initiative to make coffee for us.
“You didn’t put it on the list,” he adds. “Of things for me to fix or update.”
Oh. That’s what he meant. “Well, it does make coffee.” I frown at the mess of parts. “Or it did. And I wasn’t aware you could update a coffeemaker. I planned to get a new one and just replace it.”
He nods, chuckling as he leaves the clutter of his disassembled parts on the counter to face me across it. Pushing a mug of steaming liquid toward me, he winks. “Yeah, replacing it might be smarter than trying to fix it.”
When he slides my almond milk over, he smiles. “Don’t forget your fancy creamer.”
If he’s not trying to get me to fall in love with him, I’m not sure how to interpret his consideration. He gets me. He knows that I have particular tastes, but he’s not judging me for it.
But I can’t go down that path. I’m too scared to jump into the lovely hope that we could make “it” and that he’s genuine about wanting me in his life.
I’m still confused about why he put distance between us the first time. I need an answer for it, but not right now. We’re in a good spot, and I don’t want to ruin it or complicate it. It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him I’m thinking about staying here. It’s not a matter of simply wanting to see where things can go with him, but I also don’t want to give up the chance to fit in with the two couples who have made me so happy here.
When I came here, with the prospect of making Lauren’s dress, I was mostly convinced I wouldn’t need that apprenticeship in Paris. I have my work experience with Lauren’s gown now. I’m not at all sure how I can ever make my dress shop happen, but with Dalton’s support and maybe a huge adjustment to living in this cabin until I can sell enough dresses, I’ll take the painstakingly slow approach to reaching my dream.
The only thing that’s clear is that I cannot go to New York and deal with my mother. I mean it. I’m done with her, and I can’t retreat.
Dumping all these thoughts and worries on Sawyer would be a mistake, though, and for the sake of not putting too many expectations on him this morning, I decide to avoid wading into the “what is this” topic between us.
At the same time, I feel the need to clarify something. “We’re um…What we did last night…”
“Yeah?” He grins that sexy, smug smile that somehow never fails to annoy and excite me at the same time. “It was fun.”
There we go. Fun, I can work with. Last time, he said it was nice, but fun is an ice-breaker.
“Yeah. I had fun, too. Because”—I clear my throat and look away, hoping he can’t read me so well he believes that I mean this—“that’s what we’re doing, right? This is a hookup?” I widen my eyes at the cheapness of my words. “Um. Exclusive hookups?”
He smiles, seeming to hold back a laugh. “Yeah.”
I don’t want him to think I’m merely hooking up, but until I sever all ties with my mother and solidify my plans to stay here, I can’t let him think what we’re doing is over.
He nods and sips his coffee. “That’s fine. Just make sure you let me know when my next appointment is.”
His tone is casual, but it lacks the awkward coldness I heard and felt in Denver. Maybe I’m not convincing him. I can’t tell what he’s thinking, but I feel good about this. It’s the best I can manage until my life isn’t as messy, and I’m elated he’s still here.
I smirk, though. “Appointment? You’re making me sound like a sex worker.”
He roars with laughter, shaking his head. “Hell no.”
As I sip my coffee, he heads into my room and gets dressed. After he comes back out and kisses me quickly, he says, “One of my guys has to go pick up some equipment in Denver tomorrow, so I can pick up anything you need.”
“Perfect!” I perk up at this offer, excited as I follow him to the front door. “Thank you. I’m so grateful for your help.”
“Hmmm.” He lingers at the door, sliding his boots on. When he reaches for me, I’m careful not to spill my coffee. “Sorry about the mess on the counter. I’ll order you a replacement. Since I do like my coffee after ‘hooking up.’”
I accept his kiss and smile back at him. At this rate, it’s almost like he’s mocking me, seeing right through me and getting used to the possibility that we’ve got something much more significant and meaningful than a mere hookup.
I wave goodbye to him, wishing him a good day at work. As I turn to the cabin and eye my workspace, I feel light and happy. Sawyer isn’t avoiding me after intimacy. We have to talk, but that will come. I’m considering how I can make my life here without much money, and I’ve got a project of a lifetime to concentrate on.
What more could a girl want?
I need nothing but some music, and once I get positioned, I lose myself in my work. Before I move forward with the design, I check over the progress so far. I’ve framed Lauren’s dress, and I’m ready for the step that involves the more expensive fabric. I never want to make any mistakes with someone else’s gown, but it’s getting crucial that I am extra careful with the costlier resources now, too.
As soon as I reach for my scissors, the reflection of sunlight glints off a windshield. I frown, peering through the windows as an expensive-looking car rolls up the drive and stops. It’s not Dalton or Caleb. Remaining still, annoyed at the interruption, I watch as the door opens and my mother steps out.
Oh, shit.
