Page 13

MARLIE

So, today didn’t turn out as planned. I’m doing a small dance inside, almost on pins and needles waiting on Tanner’s call.

And I know I’m breaking every rule in the women’s handbook, but to know he really was interested, it lit a spark inside me.

That’s probably why I’m sitting on my back porch, in the hanging rattan-like egg chair, one leg propped up, the other on the ground, the tips of my toes nudging me to sway slowly while I’m sketching out some new dresses.

Yes, I’m working like I told myself I wouldn’t, but the mood struck, inspiration was itching, hands were at the ready, and my imagination wasn’t letting me have another day to do nothing.

I’m still refusing to answer emails or calls until Monday, so really, I have two days left to enjoy my staycation.

I dropped off Taylor and Ridge, both of whom were still in the honeymoon phase, as they well should be.

It’s also why I was thankful they took the time to ground me off a never-ending rollercoaster I was on without even knowing it.

Thankfully, my best friend knows me better than myself and pulled me out of it, along with the news from Ridge.

I don’t expect we’ll have a girls’ night this weekend, and honestly, I didn’t expect it in the first place.

They took a shorter honeymoon than they wanted.

It seems we’re all hustlers still in our prime, working our tails off, and those two are definitely much the same.

Even though Taylor was adamant we go out this weekend, I’m going to decline.

She and Ridge need a few more days before the real world edges in and they’re back to twelve-hour days.

Ridge is in banking, but that doesn’t mean he works the normal nine to five.

Taylor is no slouch either; that girl is dynamite at being an emergency room nurse working even crazier hours and picking up shifts every chance she gets.

I go back to my sketch, seeing the way the lines flow together. I pick up another colored pencil trying to decide which will look good with the long flowy dress and the delicate straps that cross in the back, dipping well until the tips of the model’s ass that I’ve drawn it on.

“Hmm,” I ponder, trying to envision this in multiple body forms, to enhance the curves of every shape and form.

I add a slightly bigger billow to the hips.

That way, it drapes more than hugs, giving it a forgiving nature, and I’ll definitely have to pick the right fabric.

The tip of my tongue touches my top lip.

I’m deep in thought and flipping through a mental catalogue trying to remember what I have here at home that might work.

There’s no way I’ll be ripping apart that room yet again.

God, that was a nightmare and a half. My poor garbage men are already going to want to strangle me with the amount of trash that’s piled up beside the cans I took to the curb.

I had so much to go through—expired foods, remnants, papers.

It’s shameful how bad things got when work was at its busiest.

A strong breeze comes out of nowhere, ruffling my pages, making me pause to resituate myself, not wanting to ruin what I’m working on.

I definitely don’t want to move inside. The weather is too amazing not to sit out here, even if there is a blanket on my lap.

My phone is wedged between the cushion and chair when I feel the vibrations, causing my heart to beat in my chest. What if it’s Tanner?

What if it isn’t? Those questions run through my mind as I search for my phone.

It takes me at least three or four rings before I find it.

I glance at the screen; it’s a number I don’t know, so surely, it’s Tanner, right?

“Hello.” I finally grow the lady balls that are on my chest and answer the call, practically breathless with the way my nerves are working double time.

“Hey, Marlie, it’s Tanner.” He takes a deep breath, exhales it.

“Hi, Tanner.” Please don’t be awkward, please don’t be awkward , I repeat in my head.

“This is going to sound like a shit excuse, but when I entered your number in my phone, I must have keyed it in wrong. Not like it’s hard to do with my fat fingers and the small keyboard they provide.

” I can’t help but giggle. Ridge mentioned Tanner screwed up but didn’t go into detail.

Now I can imagine him doing this, and I’m not sure I can contain myself.

“I shouldn’t laugh, but I can’t help it. Why is it easy to imagine, even though I’ve never done this before?” My head tips back, a smile lights my face, and I relax.

“Told you it sounds stupid. I am sorry, though, and I’d love nothing more than to make this right. If you’re still up for it, that is.” A man who can apologize, admit that he’s made a mistake, and own up to it by wanting more. Where is this man from, Mars?

“Apology accepted. You had two people really sway my opinion, by the way,” I joke.

“Thankful as hell, sweetheart. If you’re referring to Ridge, then you’d be right, though he’ll lord it over my head until he’s ready to call that favor in.”

“Yeah, just imagine if it were Taylor, too. I don’t suggest that, not at all.” I’ve had to call in a favor from her a time or ten, and it’s never something simple and usually involves getting into some kind of dicey trouble.

“Well, I think my sister, Leena, might have Taylor beat. You’re a hard lady to find, Marlie.”

“I’m kind of sorry about that. I mentioned taking the week off and, well, I actually stuck to my guns.” There’s no way in hell I’ll admit that I practically mourned the thought of not hearing from him.

“Glad to hear it. The way you were talking, it sounded much needed. If you’re not free tonight, we can grab a bite to eat tomorrow?

” Tanner offers. I look down at my lap, comfortable in what I’m wearing, and as much as someone else cooking sounds good, I don’t not really want to deal with the hustle and bustle of the dinner crowd.

“I just went grocery shopping and am completely stocked. If you don’t mind hanging out at my place, we can eat here,” I suggest, hoping Tanner will go with my idea. If he doesn’t, I guess I’ll put on real clothes even though it’s not what I want to do on my staycation.

“That works for me. Since we’ll be at your place, do you mind if I bring my dog? I can keep him here and have my brother let him out if you’d rather.” Considering I was just thinking about adopting a pet of some sort, I may as well test out how it would be first.

“Sure, I have a fenced-in yard. It’s not huge but enough for him to run a little. What time?”

“Great, I’m just finishing up with a few things at the job site, so whenever is fine with me.” The bark of a dog and the subtle swish of movement can be heard through the phone.

“I’ll be home all day. Shoot me a call or a text when you’re headed this way?” This way, in case his work runs late, it’s not a huge ordeal.

“Will do, and Marlie?” Tanner’s voice deepens until it’s rough and full of husk.

“Yes?” I question back.

“Can’t wait to taste your lips again.” He clicks off the phone, leaving me with a tingling between my legs.