“There was a time I would have said that I don’t deserve to be loved like this.”
“That time is over. You have more love in a two-mile radius than I’ve ever seen in my life. You deserve it. Maybe more than anyone else. Now, are you hungry?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Because your stomach just growled. How about some middle-of-the-night pizza on the porch?”
“It’s a date.”
Chapter 15
~Remi~
“Hi, Remi.”
I look up from what I’m doing behind the deli counter and smile when I see Miles King walk up, his backpack slung over his shoulder, and a happy grin on his face.
“Well, hey there. How was school?”
“Meh, fine, I guess. I was hoping I could score some cookies.”
I laugh and turn to grab the box of cookies and scones that I’ve had ready for him after school for the past month, ever since that first family dinner I went to. I always tell him to share with the other kids when he gets home, but I suspect he eats more than his share.
I don’t even care. Miles has wormed his way into a soft spot in my heart.
“Here you go, handsome. Be sure to share those.”
He scoffs as if the reminder is an insult. “Duh. Of course, I share. They get at least one.”
“You brat.”
His smile is sly and satisfied as he slips out the door, headed for his car so he can go home for the day.
“I’d say you’ve managed to fit into the King family pretty seamlessly,” Annie says when she walks out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. “That kid adores you.”
“It’s kind of mutual. I know I shouldn’t have a favorite, but he’s pretty great. They’re all good kids.”
“Is Troy still staying with Nancy?”
“He went home last weekend,” I reply and wrap some bread that didn’t sell to go in the day-old basket for tomorrow. “He wasn’t happy about it, but Zack talked him into it. I think he’ll still go stay with his grandma once or twice a week.”
“That’s okay. He loves her.”
I nod and set the last loaf in the basket. When I turn around, Annie’s holding a bouquet of flowers and a card.
“Happy birthday,” she says with a smile. “It’s not much, but it’s something.”
I stare at the flowers for a second and then take them from her and bury my nose in a rose. “These are gorgeous.”
“Brooke down the street at the flower shop knows what she’s doing,” Annie says with a wink. “What did Seth get you?”
“Nothing that I’m aware of.”
She blinks at me in confusion. “You told him it’s your birthday, right?”
Guilt immediately sets in. “Uh.”
“Remi.”
“How do I do that? Just casually, in the middle of a conversation, say, ‘Oh, by the way, my birthday is at the end of October. Get me something nice.’? I can’t do that.”
“I’m calling him,” Annie announces.
“Why? No. Don’t call him.”
“He will be so mad at you,” she says.
“He doesn’t have to know. It’s no big deal. My family didn’t make a fuss over birthdays.”
“Yes. I remember you telling me that your mother is a piece of shit. So I looked at the copy of the driver’s license you gave me so I didn’t forget. And, Remi, Seth needs to know. I’m going to text him. Just casually mention that it’s your birthday. Give the poor man a chance to do something nice for you. I’ll just make it seem like I’m giving him a gentle reminder.”
“Do you really think he’ll be mad?”
“Hell, yes. I do.”
“Okay, fine. That works.”
My phone rings in my pocket, surprising me. No one ever calls me.
“I have to grab this. It’s my agent.”
Annie waves me off, and I take the call. “Hello?”
“Happy birthday, sweet pea,” Roberta says in my ear. “Are you having a good day?”
“Yeah, I’m working, but I like this job.”
“You have a job? Why don’t I know about this, Rem? I’m supposed to book your gigs for you.”
“Calm down, Bert. I’m working in a deli in small-town, USA. I’m not on a set.”
“Oh. Really? Okay, then. Well, I have good news for you. I just booked you on a show.”
“No. I told you, I’m retired from that.”
“Just hear me out. It’s not for a whole season, it’s only one week, down in Moab. They’re bringing back all of the original winners from previous seasons for a one-week challenge, and they’ll announce the winner on live national TV.”
“How long do I have to get in shape for it?”
And why am I even considering it? The idea doesn’t excite me at all.
“Well, not much time. You have to be down there by Monday.”
“Bert, it’s Friday. I would have to leave on Sunday to be there on time. Maybe even tomorrow.”
“I know, the timing sucks. A show just got canceled, and they need to fill the time slot for a week, and this is what they’re going with. You’ll only be gone for a week, Rem, and they’ll pay you well for it.”