Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 100090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
Ryan laughs, and the three of them return to the back, where my big storage room is, to start assembling the furniture. I unlock my phone and turn on my favorite playlist, pairing it to the Bluetooth speakers in the shop, and then set it aside. As Harry Styles starts to sing about watermelon sugar, I dive into boxes, slicing them open with my box cutter, and then I start to hang them on hangers, sort by size, and then steam.
It's a long, laborious process, but I love it. I have four employees who all offered to come in and help today, but they’ve been here all week, cleaning and sorting, and they’ve put in long days. So, I told them to take today off, and I’d work on this part alone. It’ll take me through the weekend to get it all unpacked, pressed, and set out, but it’ll be worth it.
I’ve just moved on to my fifth box, and Ed Sheeran is crooning about dancing in the dark when I’m suddenly swept up in Ryan’s arms, and he dances me around the mostly empty showroom.
I’m laughing when, still singing along, he dips me back and then brings me back up and hugs me.
“I couldn’t resist,” he says and kisses me on the cheek before pulling away. “We’re about ready for the furniture.”
“That was fast.”
“It’s good furniture,” he says. “Not particle board that you have to put together piece by piece. Do you want to show me where you want it?”
“Sure.” Pleased that he approves of what I chose, I show Ryan where I want each piece, and then he disappears into the back again, and I have to take a deep breath.
Being around that man is…well, it does things to me. And he doesn’t seem to be affected at all. Which is a bit of a blow to the ego, but oh, well. Before long, the men have everything placed exactly where I want it, and the four of us stand back, admiring it.
“I like the colors,” Jake offers. “They’re not boring brown.”
“I wanted to brighten the space up,” I agree. “The only windows are the ones in the front, and dark furniture would make it feel like a cave in here. So, I got pieces that were painted in bright colors. I think it looks great, guys. Thanks. I’ll go order those sandwiches.”
I take their order and call it in to the deli down the street.
“They’ll be here in about twenty minutes.”
“What can we do in the meantime?” Ryan asks.
“I have to hang some mirrors in the dressing rooms,” Mac says. “You can help me with those heavy fuckers.”
“Mac!” I gesture to Jake. “Really? There’s a kid here.”
“Oh, I’ve heard it all,” Jake assures me. “It’s fine. I can help lift a mirror.”
“He’s a good kid,” I say to Ryan when the other two are in the back, measuring for the mirrors.
“Yeah, he is. We’ve had a few bumps here and there, but he’ll be sixteen, and I suspect that’s normal.”
“I would guess so,” I agree with a nod. “Well, I’d better get back to hanging these clothes.”
“You know,” he continues, not taking the hint at all, “you do a lot of avoiding me these days.”
I frown down at the pair of white jeans I’m holding. “I don’t think that’s true.”
“At Summer and Chase’s wedding last month, you didn’t even look at me.”
“I was busy,” I remind him. “I was the maid of honor, and I had a long list of duties.”
“Polly.”
I stop at the sound of his voice and turn to look at him, raising an eyebrow.
“I don’t want things to be weird between us.” He reaches out and tucks a stray strand of hair behind my ear.
“You didn’t call.” I feel my eyes widen. I did not mean to say that out loud. “Uh, never mind. That was—”
“You left,” he says, interrupting me. “If you wanted me to call, you sent me a mixed message with that move.”
I bite my lip, thinking it over, and then let out a gusty sigh, but the other guys return to us, looking smug.
“All done,” Mac says and high-fives Jake. The door opens, and Jeannie, the manager of Mama’s Deli, walks in, carrying two big brown bags full of food.
“Delivery,” she calls out with a smile. “Oh, it’s already so different in here, Polly. I can’t wait to see it when you’ve finished.”
“I reopen Monday morning,” I inform her as Mac takes the bags off her hands, and I pass her the cash to cover the order. “I have some new things that I think you’re going to love.”
“Now I really can’t wait. I’m so grateful that you carry inclusive sizes for us curvier girls,” Jeannie says with a happy smile.
“Every woman is gorgeous and deserves to wear clothes that make her feel confident,” I reply. “No matter her size. Definitely come see me next week, and I’ll help you shop.”