7. Petra

CHAPTER 7

Petra

I groan and want to hit my head off the counter when I see Mrs. Dobson on her way in. The biggest gossip in town being on my doorstep on the day after I'm spotted naked in the yard with Jeremy?

Yeah, I'm sure there's nothing wrong with that.

Her smile is so damn smug that I want to slam the door closed and lock it right in her face.

"Hello, Petra. How are you doing today after all your excitement?"

And there's the first volley.

I nod my head and keep the smile on my face with an effort. "I'm good, Mrs. Dobson. Couldn't be better in fact."

The disbelief and false sympathy on her face makes me want to scream and run.

"Oh my dear. You must have been so cold out there with Jeremy with nothing on. It was very chilly last night."

I want to grimace and grit my teeth. But I keep the smile in place, even though it's looking a little strained. My lips tremble with the strain of keeping it going.

"I'm totally fine. Thank you for asking. Is there something that I can help you with this morning?"

She pauses and I can see the wheels turning in her head. She can't admit that she just showed up here to wallow in my misery and get the gossip. Her rheumy eyes dart around and light on a glass pitcher that my parents accidentally bought for the gift shop three years ago and haven't been able to unload.

"Oh, I have been looking for something just like this for my sister in law."

Of course she has. She hates Myrtle and always has.

I rest my hand on my chin. "Really? You two are talking again?"

A mulish look crosses her face before she smiles. "Of course. We just had a little tiff. It's all over. We're family after all."

I nod my head sagely as I pick up the pitcher to wrap. "Family is so important these days. Family and friends. A small town like ours lives and dies by our ties to our friends and family."

"Yes," she sighs and then hands me her card and takes the package. "I'm so glad that you understand why we have to look out for each other."

"Of course." Hypocritical b…. I smile as she walks out the door and then groan when Jeremy comes in when she walks out. The smug smile on his face makes me want to slug him.

"Did you enjoy your morning, Pet?"

"I have never seen such a bunch of hypocritical people in my life. Every single one of them hinting about our illicit tryst and telling me that I should make sure that you're not using me to get back at my parents. So many fucking comments. So many damn people visiting me this morning looking for little bits of nothing."

His lip curls. "Made some sales though, huh?"

Growling, I gnash my teeth. "It's so damn ridiculous. I can't believe that people don't have more interesting things to talk about and think about."

"Small towns are like that and you know it."

"Well, I think it's too stupid." I sigh and my shoulders slump. "But I don't want to put my parents in the position of defending something that's not going on."

"It's not that big a deal to pretend to date for a little while, Pet."

"Stop freaking calling me that!" I growl, my jaw locked so tight it's a wonder I don't lose a tooth.

"Fine. But it makes it look like we actually like each other. And I do like you, Pet."

The look on his face is so strange that I can't even put a name to it. And I don't want to think too hard. My head hurts like a fucking hammer is beating on it.

"I guess we can pretend for a little while." I hold my hand up when he starts towards me. "But there will be no touching and I'm talking one date. No more or less."

He grins. "Five dates, Pet. You're not convincing anybody with one date."

I huff and cross my arms over my chest. His steel-gray eyes light up and I see them dip down quickly to my chest. "And stop staring at my chest, dammit!"

His full lips curl. "Not bloody likely, Pet. Not as long as I've got blood in my veins and a fucking heartbeat."

My cheeks heat and I glare at him. "Go away before I change my mind."

He backs out of the door, pointing at me. "I'm picking you up tonight. I'm not giving you time to change your mind. I'll pick you up at seven. Wear something casual."

"I'm not going out tonight! No!" I'm still shouting at him when he swings the door shut and grins at me from the other side. And right behind him are the three Martin sisters. Biggest gossips in town.

I see him chatting with them and the way they turn to smile at me and I paste a sickly smile on my face.

"Oh shit! What the hell have I done?" I drop my head into my hands and then stand up when the door opens again and Promise comes in, a strange light in her eyes.

"Well, I hear that you're finally gonna go out with him. How the hell did he manage that?"

I groan and close my eyes. "Same way he always does. Trickery."

She giggles. "Oh, I wish I could be a fly on the wall of that place wherever you end up. If you two don't kill each other it will be a miracle."

"Help me get ready."

Her brows lift and she smirks. "Why? You're always more put together than I am!"

"I can't think around that man. He said something casual. What does that mean?"

"Jesus! Should I slap you? You're freaking hysterical. Wear a sweater and some blue jeans. Add your silver hoop earrings and then you're good to go."

"Come home with me this afternoon and help me get ready."

She shakes her head. "I'm supposed to meet Kade after work. We've got some….ummm, painting. Yeah."

I shoot her a dark look. "You better not expect me to believe that bullshit. I'm not gonna. You sound ridiculous. Just stop fucking for five minutes and come help me pick clothes!"

"Fine! Maybe I can keep you from climbing out the window before he gets there! Jeez!" Her eyes soften. "You know that this whole thing has been ridiculous. Your parents all seem to have made up. He's tried to make things right with you repeatedly and you keep chopping the poor guy off at the knees. Give him a chance."

"He fired me!"

"Okay. Yeah, that's bad. But he was worried about the paper going under. I know it wasn't ideal but he didn't have much choice."

"Just come over tonight and help me."

She turns around and heads for the door. "I'll be there. If only to stop you from making a run for it!"