Kiss by Kiss (Riggins Brothers #3) - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,83
on the back and walks out of my office. I hear him and Marshall talking about a new marketing campaign for the summer and smile. For as much shit as we give each other, I know that they’re all there for me if I need them. And today, Royce came in strong.
I don’t know why I didn’t think of it from that angle. It’s going to sell. It might as well be me. That eliminates my stress from worrying about her, and she’ll know that her bakery can stay open. It’s a win-win. Sure, she’s going to be pissed at first, but I’m confident she’ll get over it once she realizes this is the best-case scenario for both of us.
Pulling up the realtor site from the paper Aurora showed me, I find their number and call them while pulling up the listing. Ten minutes later, I’ve put in a cash offer. The agent assures me it’s as much as a done deal and will call me back after promising to keep my identity from the current tenants—namely, my girlfriend.
Girlfriend.
That needs to change too. I’ve got some work to do, but first things first. Get through this sale, get her money back. No way will I get her to agree to marry with that hanging over her head. I’m just going to have to improvise. Grabbing my phone, I text my friend Tommy.
Me: It’s that time again.
Tommy: Been a while.
Me: Yeah. You got time? It will be quick.
Tommy: The next three hours are open. I’ll block them out for you.
Me: I’m on my way.
Closing down my computer, I go in search of Royce and find Owen in his office. “Hey,” I say, stepping into his office.
“You good?” Royce asks.
“Yeah. Put in a cash offer. It’s as good as done.”
“Good. Better?”
“Getting there.” I smile. “I’m heading out for the day.”
“What’s up?” Owen says.
“I’m more than likely going to have to grovel when she finds out. I need to be prepared.”
He laughs. “I hear ya. Let me know if I can help.”
“Thanks.” I direct that at both of them. “I’ll catch up with you guys later.”
Thirty minutes later, I’m walking into Tommy’s shop. “Grant Riggins.” He walks out from around the counter and offers me his hand. “What’s up, my man?”
“Needed a little therapy,” I tell him.
“You know what you want?”
“Yeah. I need a butterfly.”
“A butterfly? You going soft on me, Riggins?”
“Maybe.” I laugh. “I need my girl's name wove into the design.”
He whistles. “That’s some heavy shit, Riggins. You know this is forever, right?” he asks.
“I’m well aware.”
“And if this doesn’t work out.”
“It’s going to work out.”
He nods. “Let me draw something up. Come on back.” He turns toward his room and sits down at the small sketch table. “So, who is she?”
“My future wife.”
He chuckles. “Does she know that?”
“Not yet.” I grin.
“And the butterfly?”
“Fuck, man, can’t you just do it and not ask questions?”
“Nope.”
“She says I give her butterflies.” I expect him to give me shit.
“I like it.” He gets busy drawing, and I take the time to look at the new work he has showcased on his walls. “You are one talented fucker,” I tell him.
“I know.” He smirks. “Take a look at this.” He motions me over. “I was thinking about putting her name down the center of the body.”
“Perfect.”
“Well, I need a name to see if it will fit.”
“Aurora.”
“That’s hot.” He nods his approval.
“She’s mine.”
“I’m just saying. The name’s hot. Does she have a sister?”
“Yeah.” I grin. “Aspen.”
“That’s hot too. I need to see these two,” he says, his head bent over the sketch, working her name into the design.
Reaching for my phone, I scroll through my camera roll until I find a picture of the two of them that I took that day on the lake. “My girl’s on the left. Her sister, Aspen, is on the right.”
“Damn,” he mutters. “I’d be inking her name on my body too.” He laughs. “All right, check this out.” He hands me the sketch. “I assume you wanted something small?”
“Yeah, I’m going to put it on my chest. Over my heart.”
He nods. “It’s a good size to cover up later if we need to.” He grins. I know he’s just giving me shit.
“Not happening, Tommy.”
“Didn’t Owen and Royce both tie the knot too?” he asks.
“Yeah, just Conrad and Marshall left.”
“Y’all are dropping like flies.”
I shrug. “The love of a good woman.”
He nods. “Touché, my friend. Touché. All right, take a seat in the chair, and we’ll get this going.”