Page 43 of Will to Run

“Would you add anything?”

“Since most of the people are returning, this probably wouldn’t matter, but for someone like me, it would have been cool to have welcome to the area information as well. I’d include the necessary stores, of course, but I’d also a list of things to see. Similar to the stuff you have in the luxury cabins.”

I hesitate a second too long, and it brings her eyes to me.

“Like I said, it probably doesn’t matter because everyone knows everything…” she continues.

“Della,” I cut her off, “that’s a brilliant idea.”

“Really?” She visibly relaxes.

“Yes, it won’t make it out in these bags, but…”

“Well, didn’t you say you have a socials person coming? How are their web page building skills? I’m not that person, but maybe you can have a QR code or something,” she gestures to the table.

“Yep, she’ll be here next weekend, and she does some web development. You should join the marketing team,” I smile at her.

She shrugs and gives me the most adorable, cheesy smile before going back to assembling packets. The time passes more quickly than I expect it to, and before I know it, we have laughed our way through a hundred packets. She sits on the couch, too far away for my liking.

“Okay, are you feeling a little better about today?” she asks.

“I assumed it would be a wash. Thank you for everything you’ve done, from the pink head cap to this. Consider this overtime, so you can either log the hours or take that time for yourself tomorrow…”

Her eyebrows furrow in confusion. “Or I could just be helping a friend. I hope you see me as more than just your employee.”

I watch as the pink rises in her cheeks again.

“Not like that. I mean, like, not like… Oh my gosh, just like a friend. What is with me today?” she nervously laughs and gets up, moving towards the door, while I just stand to look at her. “I have to go, but I’m glad we could get something done.”

“Where are you going?” I ask, because dammit, I’m still not ready for her to leave. Should I play the migraine card and ask her to stay again? She’d know I am full of shit. Why is she being so cagey? I thought she was into me. Did the erection freak her out that much?

“I have a date…”

“A date?” I blurt out, grabbing the back of the couch.

“With my painting room,” she laughs.

Now it’s my turn for the red to rise in my cheeks. “Oh. Well, that’s fun,” I try to say as casually as I can, knowing my outburst was anything but.

She smirks at me. “Yes, it’s fantastically fun, in fact. Okay, if you need anything, I’m a golf cart ride away.”

“I might need to supervise a painting room to ensure it’s not getting trashed,” I flirt. Or really just the person in the painting room, I think to myself.

“Well, my door is always open, and you don’t even need a code for it,” she laughs, her hand on the doorknob. “Goodbye, Jaxon.”

“Bye, Del. Thank you again,” I say, showing extraordinary restraint by not jumping over this damn couch and wrapping her up to hold her hostage.

When the door closes, I collapse on my couch. The way she ran out of here leaves me wondering if I’m reading her wrong.

What the fuck am I doing? I’ve never once danced around or been reserved in my actions with a woman. What is my hold-up with her?

21

DELLA

Monday night ended with me looking like a freak. I was so close to kissing him when I was inches from his face. But then my thoughts got in the way.

What if I am as bad as Tripp made me out to be? How much would I embarrass myself in front of someone like Jaxon?