Page 2 of 27 Kisses
“I’ve got it,” Nat said with a snap of her fingers, breaking me out of my thoughts. “Word of mouth is the best form of advertising.”
I sip my coffee to keep from screaming. It really is good. Does she add cinnamon? “ETA of getting my space back?”
“The wedding is two weeks from Saturday, so three weeks? And Jonah and his muscles worked hard on this, so be nice.”
Jesus. Jonah is the twelve-year-old we hired. Okay, he’s actually in his early twenties. But he looks twelve. A Nebraska farm boy fresh from the farm. “Fine. Whatever.”
“Fine. Whatever,” she mumbles to herself while tapping on her phone. “Anything else, boss?”
“Yes, actually.” I wait until she’s looking at me. “Bringing me coffee isn’t part of your job description. You don’t need to do that every morning.”
Her eyes crinkle in amusement. “I do that for me, not you. You’re growly before coffee—and not in a good way.”
“There’s a good way?” The question slips out, and I hold in a groan. But it’s too late to pull it back. It also reminds me of Aidyn. Thankfully, I’m not the blushing type.
“There definitely is. But I’m not going there.” She tucks her phone into her back pocket. Today she’s dressed casually in jeans and a T-shirt with the Bishop Fields logo. “But if you’re curious, ask your secret boyfriend. I’m sure he’ll be more than happy to explain it.”
I freeze, trying to ignore the nervous energy zipping through my body. Everyone knows I’m gay. I came out in high school, and this is a small town. But only one other person knows about my boyfriend—scratch that, only two other people know. Said boyfriend and my sister, Jane. But Jane’s information is from seven years ago, and we’ve barely spoken since my return to Mule Creek.
My anxiety spikes, but I’m able to hide it. I used to handle million-dollar marketing accounts without breaking a sweat. I wipe my hands on my pants, just in case, and try to keep my voice light. Casual. Normal. “Boyfriend. Ha.”
Nat raises a brow. “Do you really want to do this?” Her voice isn’t unkind. And maybe that’s the problem. Nat being sweet—I don’t need anyone’s pity.
I double down, knowing it’s a mistake. “Do…what?”
“Okay, fine,” she says, sounding resigned. “You’re always on your phone, and I know it’s not work-related because those contacts go through me. It’s not family because—” She stops,holding in her words. Her eyes shift to me and away before she raises her chin. “But the biggest clue is the wedding ring you carry around in your pocket. The one you bought in June.”
“What the hell, Nat?” I swallow the ball of emotion in my throat—from the things she said and didn’t say—and force an outraged chuckle. “Are you spying on me?”
“No, boss.” This time, I get her real smile, the one reminding me she’s not a demon or an android. “I’m just paying attention.”
Nat gets called away, and I give silent thanks to the bridezilla melting down today. We get at least one every few weeks. Nat handles everything. She’s extremely efficient, which is why I can’t just fire her.
In fact, I need to hire more staff. Business picked up after the New Year’s Eve charity event we hosted almost a year ago. But I plan to wait until after the new year.
What if this success is fleeting? I need to look at the figures again. Bishop Fields has to succeed.
I remove the black velvet bag from my pocket and pull out the ring inside. The light glints off the gold band. What am I waiting for? Aidyn is the main reason I moved back. But he’s also the reason I moved away in the first place. Everything I’ve done in my adult life has been for Aidyn Christy. The stubborn, hot-headed, grumpy, and sexy-as-hell Irishman.
Aidyn is as tall as I am, but bigger, with red hair, a short beard, and a crooked nose.
He’s also my brother-in-law.
I’ve been in love with Aidyn since the day I met him. The very same day he met and fell for my sister Emily.
But she passed away almost ten years ago. When Aidyn and I got together several years after that, I thought we’d been given another chance.
I know Aidyn loves me. But sometimes I feel like I’m competing with my sister’s ghost.
Things get busy, and it’s a relief to focus on work. Several issues need my attention. Jonah needs help with the sonic screwdriver, and Mrs. James wants to reschedule her daughter’s rodeo-themed wedding—again. I fix the issue with the screwdriver, and the twelve-year-old gives me a grateful smile.
Nat motions to me and nods at the waiting room. Time to deal with the mama-of-the-bride. My phone beeps with a phone notification. It has to be Aidyn, but I don’t want to check until I’m back in my office, away from nosy employees.
I follow Nat through the main area into reception. We stop before reaching the consultation room where Mrs. James is waiting.
“She’s very upset,” she warns. “Do you have earplugs?”
“No, why?”