Page 22 of As They Are (Strawberry Springs #2)

“This was a great idea,” she said. “And now I’m adding income when the strawberries slow down.

I already have new blueberry bushes planted, and next year I can do something with that.

” Her eyes landed on Henry as he stepped closer to me to let someone through.

“Oh, hey. You’re hanging out with Wren today? ”

“She wanted to come, and I hardly ever make it to these things. They’re busy, even on a hot day.”

“You get used to the heat after a while,” she said with a shrug. “How did filming go?”

“It was short and sweet,” I said as I grabbed the two jam jars. I inspected them, wondering how I would add it to my regular breakfast, and by the time I looked up, Henry was handing his card to Mollie.

“Quick, before she sees.” His voice was hushed.

“Henry!” I said. “I was supposed to?—”

“It’s too late,” Mollie said. “I have the card and I’m running it.”

I crossed my arms. Henry looked so smug. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to smack the look off his face or kiss it off.

“You know I owe you.”

“Breakfast was paid for. I had to do my boyfriend duties somehow.”

“Boyfriend duties, huh?” Mollie asked with a laugh. “He’s serious about this.”

“Very much so,” I replied.

“I aim to be the best.”

Mollie hummed, and she had the same facial expression as the day Henry had given me the four-leaf clover. My developing crush must have been so obvious for her.

“Where are you going after this?” Mollie asked.

“I wanna see all the vendors,” I replied. “Maybe Jade’s Goodies, if Henry can tolerate me for that long.”

“I absolutely can,” he replied.

“Would you go so far as to say you enjoy Wren’s presence?” Mollie asked.

Damn her.

“I’d go further.” Henry’s eyes met mine. “I look forward to it when I wake up in the morning.”

Shit. My heart skipped a beat, and for a second, I thought this was all real.

Then I brought myself back to reality. We were in public. The town thought we were together. That’s all this was.

“Have fun then,” Mollie said, but she gave me a smile that told me she’d caught all of that.

“We will.”

“Oh! And let me know if Jade has the strawberry-scented candles,” she said as we were walking off. “I have an addiction that must be satisfied!”

“I will!” I called back as I tried to get my heart to slow down. I couldn’t take Henry when he was treating me like this.

He stopped me only a few steps later. “Is the heat getting to you? Your face is red.”

“A little,” I lied. In reality, he was the one getting to me.

“Let’s get some water before you get dehydrated.”

“I see iced coffee.”

Henry crossed his arms. “You should get water instead.”

“Coffee is mostly water. With some brown added in.”

“Please don’t mention anything brown being in a drink.”

“You’re a doctor. You’ve seen poop before.”

Henry sighed. “That’s beside the point. Water is good. You should have that.”

I tilted my head. “Don’t tell me you care about my well-being. Is this a doctor thing or a Henry thing?”

“It’s a boyfriend thing.”

I ignored the heat in my cheeks as I tried to remind myself that he meant fake boyfriend. “So cute. You deserve a raise in whatever currency boyfriends get paid in.”

He raised one eyebrow, and I realized the insinuation I’d made.

Diversion. I needed a diversion and fast .

“I’m still getting coffee, though,” I added quickly, trying to dart away.

Henry grabbed me before I could make a break for it. “Nice try.” I tried to tug away from him, but his grip tightened on me. “Water first.”

There was that voice again. This was doing things for me. Things I didn’t know could be done. My entire body felt like it was on fire from this alone.

Then his hand was gone and he was grabbing water. I tried not to be disappointed. He could have had me in his grip a lot longer.

What did it say about me that I was so turned on by that?

I really needed to dig out my vibrator.

“Sorry about that,” he said. “Here.”

I took the offered water, but it did nothing for me. Still, he watched me closely until I drank some.

“Are you done making sure I don’t get dehydrated?” I asked. “We have more to see.”

“Lead the way,” he said, gesturing for me to go ahead of him.

Henry bought some fruits and vegetables from one place while I grabbed cookies to share with Eric.

Both of us were red in the face from the heat by the time we ducked into Jade’s Goodies. The air-conditioning felt incredible on my sweaty skin. Henry tugged at his shirt, and I knew he felt the same. He was in more layers than I was.

“Regretting the fancy clothes?”

“A little, but this is what I usually wear.”

“You could get away with a T-shirt or something.”

“I don’t?—”

“Oh, shit!” another voice said. “Hi!”

I saw a streak of purple, and Jade was suddenly in front of us. “Hey,” I said. “We were just at the market and I figured I’d drop in. Mollie has a request for strawberry candles.”

“I saved one for her. And one for you.”

“I’ll take one. Though Mollie might steal it.”

“She’s a fiend for these things. It’s almost like she owns a strawberry farm and loves it.”

“I’ve never seen her so happy,” I replied.

“Then we’re doing something right. Let me go grab those candles while you look around. Be right back.”

She darted to the back and I let my eyes linger over the shop. There was a bit of everything from crystals to candles. I never burned candles at my place, mostly because I was never there long enough in between work to enjoy it.

“I need to get the linen one,” Henry said. “I burned through all of mine reading the other night.”

“Oh!” I nearly ran over. “I’ll?—”

“Don’t even try,” he said. “I’ll buy my own candle and whatever you want, thank you very much.”

My mouth snapped closed. Apparently, I’d listen only to him when he pulled out that tone.

Jade walked back in, two candles in hand, and went right to the register. “You know, from one woman to another, if a guy wants to buy things for you, let him.”

I couldn’t say that I owed him, not without inviting questions from Jade, so I put up my hands. “Fine. I’ll let this happen.”

“Thank you, Wren.”

Henry grabbed the candle he wanted while I continued to look around. When I made my way to the crystals, I asked, “Do you have anything for filming a show and trying not to kill your costar?”

“Unfortunately, no,” Jade replied. “Though, there is one you might like.” She grabbed a purple stone. “Amethyst for inner peace.”

“I’m not great at being peaceful.”

“It also looks cool,” she said.

The smooth stone was cold in my hand. “Now that I agree with.” I flipped it over. “What else does it mean?

“Healing, clarity, and manifesting love, though I get the idea you’re pretty good with all of that stuff. I mean, you bagged Henry, and you’re a badass.” She said it with a flick of her hand, like it was obvious.

But I didn’t always feel that way. I didn’t want to think about all of the things I needed healing from. At least not emotionally. “You know what? I’ll get it. If it only heals my sore muscles.”

“You’re sore?” Henry asked.

“A little, but I’m good.”

“I could?—”

“I spent all day resting,” I replied. “I’m fine .”

His lips pursed, and I knew wandering around in the heat wasn’t technically restful. I walked over to the register with Jade. She excitedly told us both about all of the new things coming in since her customer base had grown, and I focused on that while I put the crystal in my pocket.

“Are you sure you’re feeling okay?” Henry asked when we walked out. “You shouldn’t overwork yourself.”

“I promise I’m fine,” I replied. “You made sure I got time off.”

Henry shook his head. “They ask for way too much.”

They did. Even I knew that. “I could always go for another massage. Your house isn’t too far from here, right?”

His face fell. “I can’t.”

It was all he said. He didn’t owe me an explanation. I knew that.

But I wanted to know him .

“Okay, yeah. I get it. I’ll ask Mollie. Or just take a hot bath.”

“Epsom salt could help.” His voice came out low, and I wondered if he was late to whatever he had to get to. He certainly didn’t seem to like the words he spoke.

“I bet it will. Thanks for hanging out, Henry. I’ll see you at filming on Monday and then the bar that night.”

“ This Monday?” he asked.

“Yep. That’s the date I texted you. Mark is so excited. It’ll be fun!”

I turned before I could think too hard about him turning me down and ran for my truck, completely missing the way he had only grown more tense when I mentioned the bar.