Every Girl Does It(36)

I hear a knock on the main door and bolt out of my room and into Kristin’s arms. She thinks I’m crying because of the accident, when actually my tears are selfishly more for myself. But I can’t tell her that now, not when her whole family is in the hospital, even if they are okay.

“We just wanted to drop by and say we love you guys.” Kristin says, her eyes watery. “We’ll see you back in Boise, okay?”

I nod my head and tell her I’ll be praying for her while the boys talk about the condition of the kids. Everyone seems to be doing okay just a little shaken. Apparently the roads had black ice. They’re just lucky the car didn’t roll.

I say goodbye then tearfully lay on the couch with my ice cream.

“Give me that,” Preston says trying to pry it away from my cold hands.

“Mine,” I say, using my death grip on the box.

“Easy,” he says, backing away. He grabs his phone and throws it against the fluffy chair before sitting down in a huff. “Can you at least let me explain?”

“Explain what?” I say, mouth full of ice cream. “That you made a bet that I would marry you in five days and if you win that you’d be free to pursue your ex-wife again in the comfort of your own firehouse without having Bobby breathing down your neck. He’s the best friend, isn’t he?”

Preston doesn’t say anything, and for some reason I can’t help myself.

I just keep talking, “Furthermore, I think it's totally offensive that you would assume I’m that easy of a girl to get. I mean, seriously. I only said yes to you because you kept asking. And so what if I think about wearing a pretty wedding dress sometimes when I look at you. I mean, that’s completely normal.”

And even though that little red warning light is flashing in my head, I continue to speak. “I mean, yeah, you're attractive and funny and a good Christian guy. You're probably too normal for me. But honestly, if you have to use a bet to get your ex-wife to pay attention to you again, I feel sorry for you. Sorry for you!” I yell the last words even though my voice is already loud. “She's an idiot if she thinks Bobby is better than you. An absolute idiot and if she was here I’d…I don’t know, punch her in the face.”

Preston is now smiling so big that I think his face is going to explode, which just fans my flame hotter. “And you know what? I don’t care that you want to build me a castle and that you’re the only guy I’ve ever told that story to, It doesn’t matter, because when I get home, I’m cutting you out of my life. I’m never falling for an attractive man again, they can’t be trusted they’re too slippery, they are.” Another tear escapes my face as I get up off the couch and point my finger at him. “Guess you win.”

I run into my room and lock the door. I’ve never been one to cry myself to sleep, but tonight I can’t seem to help it. Because if I’m being totally honest with myself I have to admit I love him. And he doesn’t love me back.

****

I wake up the following morning with yet another headache. Seems to be some sort of trend when I hang around Preston. I open my bedroom door to see fresh eggs, bacon, and sausage on a plate. I look up to meet Preston's face and notice he has something in his hands.

“What's that?” I ask annoyed.

“A stuffed pig,” he answers nonchalantly, as if it’s totally normal for grown men to carry around stuffed farm creatures.

“Cute,” I say, grabbing the plate and wandering outside to the patio.

It’s a humid day. It makes my head hurt even more. I take a bite of the eggs and feel Preston's presence behind me. I turn to look at him, not even caring how ugly I must look with my eyes all puffy and swollen, and notice the pig he’s carrying has paper wings glued onto it.

“Clever,” I say pointing to the pig.

“I thought so,” he says handing me two aspirin and a coffee. I hate him for knowing me so well. It makes everything that much harder. Why are all the perfect men total jerks? I want to yell at the injustice of it all. I look down and see Mrs. Butterworth is dressed up, too. Only she’s in what I can only describe as a cat bikini.

“What have you done to Mrs. Butterworth?” I gasp, picking her up from the ground. It’s a teeny weenie yellow polka dot bikini, and she looks anything but pleased.

Preston shrugs. “I thought it would make you laugh.”

I have to admit, it’s actually priceless. Not that I’m ready to be on speaking terms with him, even though I guess, technically, I’m speaking. But I am asking questions, so it’s totally different.

“So, we’re leaving tomorrow?” I ask coldly.

“Nope. I changed our plane tickets. We’re here through the weekend.”

I could kill him right now. I seriously want to throw my cat at him. Forget everything I’ve said.

“What?” I feel panic rise up in my chest. “But Kristin and Brad and the kids…” My voice trails off.

“I talked with them this morning, “he says. “Everything’s fine. Plus, we might as well enjoy our vacation together, wife.”

I look at him with disgust in my eyes. “I’m not your wife.”

“Actually,” he says, pulling out a piece of paper I’ve never seen before. “It says here you will be in about three days.”