Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22169 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22169 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
Fox is struck with a bout of sudden nervousness. I’d seen it in guys before, it’s all too common nowadays.
I run my hands around the collar of his shirt and adjust it a little bit. “I’m not going to run you off if you’re between jobs or if you’re a starving artist yourself, you know. I’m fascinated by you, and not your potential wallet.”
“You didn’t seem like the type that would be bothered by that.”
“Then why the anxiety? Are you an orphan-crushing machine mechanic or something?”
“Nope. Possibly worse? I’m a real-estate developer.”
I raise an eyebrow. “That’s a vague job title. Why don’t you tell me what you actually do?”
He sighs. Whatever he does, he’s not particularly proud of it. “I work with my father to buy up land in Evergreen Valley and then turn it into luxury properties.”
“Building homes isn’t a bad thing,” I say, crossing my arms.
“You must have not heard the luxury part. I think I’m the only person at this farmer’s market who could afford the properties after we’re done building them.”
I know what he means. The kinds of places with elevators just for their cars.
I hesitate. He does seem to have reluctance in what he’s doing, and it is his father’s business. Kids more often than not just get swept up in whatever their parents do, and are too financially dependent on them to really break away just out of moral objections.
Or he could be another charming rich boy good at acting like he actually cares about this sort of thing. That is also perfectly possible.
I look past him and see Hunter and Hawk coming up behind him, and note the jovial conversation Bear and Char are having. He’s one of their friends. He grew up in Evergreen Valley, so he has to have some of the values that make this small town great.
“I see you met Tabitha,” Hunter says, “And from how close you are, you’re getting to know her quickly.”
Hands on my hips, I shake my head. “What, I’m not allowed to have friendly conversations with my customers?”
“I’ve seen you chat up customers,” Char says as I realize she’s been nearby and likely watching me this entire time. “You don’t chat up customers like you’ve been chatting up Fox.”
“When are you so judgmental?”
She shrugs. “Just thinking about you and Fox is a bit unusual is all,” she says, before eating a curly fry and looking innocent.
“What’s unusual about a man and woman getting to know one another, Char? I never looked at you and Bear and thought, ‘Oh wow, that’s so weird.’”
A sarcastic grin grows on her face. “It’s more of... well, you know. You, the free spirit who can’t be held down, who breaks all the rules as soon as you’re presented with them... and him, the rich guy who looks unnatural in anything but a suit and tie.”
Fox adjusts his shirt. “I think I look fine in this,” he protests.
“It’s too clean,” Bear chimes in. “Go roll around in the dirt or something, throw it in the wash. Make sure it’s on the wrong setting too. Then do it a few more times like that. Then, maybe, it’d look a whole lot more natural on your everyday Evergreen Valley citizen.”
“Hey, I’m not going to hold someone's clothes that are too clean against them,” I add in. “He can’t help that he’s been deprived of the sweet air and environment of Evergreen Valley. I pity him, to be totally honest.”
“I’m sure if I hang around long enough, I’ll be as messy and tan as I used to be,” he declares.
“Yeah, yeah, we’re just giving you shit, man,” Hawk says, punching Fox in the shoulder as he walks past.
Fox shakes it off. “You want to go take a walk for a bit? Away from the judging eyes of our so-called friends?”
I look over my stand, and how the sun is starting to set. I’m not exactly going to get a whole lot more sales, and it’s not like I needed the money anyway. “I think I’d like that. Give me a moment.”
I head back and start packing everything up. Everything fits in a few suitcases, enough that I can carry it in one trip if I want to awkwardly waddle with all of it.
“Do you mind if I handle some of the merchandise?” He asks as he takes one of my bigger suitcases.
“Not at all. It’s appreciated.” I turn to Char. “Could you do the rest of the business of shutting down for the day, Char? I got something I’d like to attend to.”
“No prob, Tabby,” she says, slurping down another curly fry. “I’ll let you go spend some time with your man.”
“Thanks, Char, you’re the bestest.”
She chuckles. “I know. Now go. Go spend time with the new man in town. Shed the last bit of your rebellious spirit you have left.”