Page 21 of The Second Dance
I spread the paperwork out on the counter. “I’ve got some things for you to sign. And I wanted to go over the list of approved flora.”
He shrugs, looking bored. “How old are you?”
I flush, caught off guard. “I’m not sure how that’s relevant…”
“I’m not trying to embarrass you.” He grins charmingly. “You just strike me as particularly young.” He gauges my reaction and tries again. “Youthful.”
The back door opens and closes. Bo strides in, stopping short when he sees the scene laid out before him.
Chad grins at Bo. “There he is. I was just talking to Miss…” He glances at me.
“Reed.”
“Miss Reed.” He tilts his head. “You didn’t tell me how pretty she was, son. You should have warned me.”
Maybe Chad views this as flirting. Maybe that works with most women. He certainly does have the good looks to get what he wants.
But with me, it’s just turning my stomach. I just needed to get some paperwork signed. Talk about native grasses and trees. I didn’t want this man’s attention, whether he’s good-looking or not.
Bo comes closer, standing right at my side. He puts his hand on the back of my stool, leaning over me just slightly to look at the paperwork. “What do we need to sign, Andy?”
“Andy.” Chad murmurs. He snaps his fingers. “That’s why you looked familiar. You two were in the same class, weren’t you?”
Bo stands upright. The back of his arm brushes reassuringly against my shoulder.
Chad doesn’t miss the proximity. “Didn’t you two go to prom together?”
“No.” Bo’s tone should indicate the conversation is over, but Chad keeps going.
“Junior year, I think.” He grins. “You took one girl there and brought a different one home. I remember it well. It was very unlike you.”
Chad’s grinning now, enjoying Bo’s discomfort.
“I think you’re confused.” Bo says, embarrassed.
“I’m old, but I’m not senile, son.” Chad smiles at me. “You’re the little heartbreaker Bo was caught up on for so long.”
“Jesus, dad.”
I suspect Chad has the story reversed. I clearly remember Bo got dumped by Maddie Kline that year.
At prom.
It’s true, we left together. But I was the rebound girl.
I glance up at Bo, waiting for him to clear up the misunderstanding, but he doesn’t say anything.
Chad pushes off of the counter, swirling his bourbon in his glass. “In any event, all this bird shit… I don’t want anything to do with it. Heather might have the last word on this, but she can’t make me build birdhouses or whatever it is you’ve got planned. You want to work with us? You’ll have to deal with my son or no one at all. I’m sorry, Andy. You seem like a sweet girl and I don’t want to be an asshole. But that’s just the way it is.”
We both watch him walk away.
When he’s gone, Bo leans on the counter, dragging his hands over his face. “I am so sorry about him.”
Against my better judgement, I reach out and pat his shoulder. “There, there.”
He huffs a laugh. “Okay, what do I need to sign?”
13.