Page 25 of The Merger

“Thanks again. Have a good day,” I say, turning toward my car.

“You, too, Miss Johnson.”

I feel his gaze on my back as I walk through the parking lot. My hips naturally want to sway a bit in response, so I let them. Can’t hurt anything.

Without looking back, I pop open my door and climb inside. I sigh as soon as I’m alone.

“Well, that was … something, I guess,” I say to the Gremlin.

But why couldn’t this have happened at noon?

Chapter Six

Carys

“No, I’m not okay, Court,” I say, pushing my earbud deeper into my ear, hoping to hear my friend a little better. “I got up before the sun. My bra is killing me, and I haven’t had enough carbs today.”

“But I bet you still look pretty.”

My shoulders slump as a smile slips across my cheeks. “You’re the best.”

“Tate better watch out. If he slips up again, I’ll take his best friend spot again.”

We laugh at the memory of Tate being mad at me last year and telling me to get a new best friend. So I did—to make a point. I started telling him I was too busy for his side quests. No more being his wingwomanat the bar. I didn’t have time to pretend to like baseball so he didn’t have to go to the games alone. He was on his own when choosing an outfit for a date.

It didn’t take long until he was sorry.

Just like I told him he would be.

“Gosh darn it,” I say, inspecting the last plant of the day.

“What?” Courtney asks.

“Mrs. Galbraith keeps getting water on the leaves of her African violet. I’ve asked her just to let me handle things—that’s what she pays me for—but the woman is literally loving these poor things to death.”

“You’re speaking in a language I don’t understand.”

I laugh as I pluck off the dead leaves and toss them in a small container I keep by the workbench Mrs. Galbraith set up for me in her sunroom.

“These things are so finicky,” I say. “They need to be watered from the bottom. If not, you risk crown rot or blotchy leaves if water touches them—and these plants have both.” I turn a leaf over gently. “I think she’s misting them. She must be. That’s the only explanation.”

“It’s easier not to have plants. No plants, no kids for me. I can barely take care of myself at that level.”

“I feel ya,” I say as my throat tightens.

The idea of having a baby terrifies me, but not for the reasons it scares the crap out of Courtney. For her, it’s all about losing freedom and the increased responsibility a child would require. Legit concerns. But for me, it’s inviting anotheradultinto my life that’s paralyzing.

Kids I can do. Plants are great. But adults—especially men?

Kill me now.

It’s so paradoxical to want something so much but having to get it from something you don’t. True, I could adopt, and I might. I could also go to a sperm bank and do things that way. But when I consider myself with a little baby, I envision a family.

Then I want to puke.

“Hey, is your godmother coming to your party?” I ask.

“I think so. Why?”