“It wasn’t just the kiss,” I repeated for the twentieth time, picking up my smoothie.
“You and Everett have history. What human being doesn’t have history with at least somebody?”
“Apparently not him.” Though I knew that was a lie, and perhaps, it was Aiden’s history with Darby that made him even more unwilling to stick around and fight things out.
I eyed Adela’s lack of dance attire. “You’re not teaching today? It’s Saturday.” She’d scored a new job teaching jazz and ballet to toddlers at a small studio in town three days a week.
“I’m ready to ditch them and try my hand at pole dancing.”
“They’re adorable.” I tipped my glass back, my taste buds welcoming the sweet flavor. “Go get dressed.”
She drained her drink, then rolled the glass between her hands. “In five. I need to psych myself up first.”
I left her to her preparation, heading to the kitchen as I finished my smoothie. It was delicious and all, but I still needed caffeine.
A bang on the door had me quickly checking my morning hair in the window. I winced, then sighed when Adela made no move to get it and coasted down the hall.
I was still licking foamy milk from my upper lip when I opened it to find Everett on the top step, hands tucked in his ripped jean pockets and his work shirt on.
His eyes rounded. “Fucking hell. I’m trying to behave here.”
I frowned, and then it dawned as I felt my nipples bead behind the thin layer of cotton covering my chest. I tugged at my tank, thankful I was at least wearing pajama pants.
“Good morning to you too.” I crossed my arms over my boobs. “Shouldn’t you be at work?”
“On my break. I started at five. Got something to show you, so go get dressed.”
“What is it?”
“Clover, just hurry up before you get my ass fired.”
I left the door open and raced down the hall, hearing him say to Adela, “What are you doing?”
“Mentally preparing.”
“To dance with toddlers?”
She belted out a dry laugh. “Exactly.”
After dressing in cutoffs and my Stevie Nicks T-shirt, I shoved some socks on, then rammed my feet into my floral Doc Martens.
Dragging a brush through my hair, I flipped my head forward and gathered it into a messy bun as I made haste to the door. “Bye, Del. Have fun with the babies!”
“Fuck you,” she sang.
Everett and I both laughed, and he closed the door as soon as I barreled past.
“Where are we going?” I asked once we’d hit the sidewalk.
“My work.”
With furrowing brows, I struggled to keep up with his fast pace. “Why?”
“Christ, Clover.” He chuckled, grabbing my hand and hauling me along. “Can’t a guy surprise you ever?”
“Not much of a fan of surprises.”
“No shit.”
I pulled my hand from his, and he snatched it back, kissing it.
We reached his work ten minutes later. “How long is your break?”
“Forty-five minutes.”
I balked. “You would’ve spent more than half just coming to get me.”
He dragged me around the side of the building. “Worth it, I hope.”
I came to a stop when I saw the bags of mulch and gardening tools spread out on a yellow picnic blanket. Gloves, a wide brimmed hat, packets of seeds, and potted flowers.
“Barney needs this garden re-done. I’ve torn out all the weeds and laid it bare, but I thought you’d maybe want to do the rest.”
It’d been years since I’d planted anything—since I’d left home—and I couldn’t keep my smile from digging into my cheeks to save my life. Or the squeal of excitement that slipped out.
“I know it’s not your own, but I just thought—”
“Shut up and hand me that shovel.”
Everett’s unfettered laugh was abrasive and music to the soul. After helping me get set up, and tearing open the bags of mulch, he plopped the hat atop my head. “I’ve gotta get to work, but I’ll come check in if I can.”
He wasn’t able to come back until his shift was almost over, and the sight of him, sweat dotting his hairline and causing his shirt to plaster to every dip and mound of his chest, was enough to make me reach for the water bottle he had in his hand.
I drank greedily, then wiped my mouth before capping and handing it back.
“Wow.” The word was a hoarse breath as he uncapped the water and surveyed the long row of California poppies I’d planted in front of what would be black-eyed Susans.