“And that’s exactly why I don’t say anything,” I said defensively, wishing I’d glued my m
outh shut.
“But I’m not just anyone.” Ivy sniffed again then the sound of a baby’s cries dented the uncomfortable silence. “I gotta go.”
I dropped onto my butt and set my camera down next to me. “Dammit.”
“It’s okay, Kinleigh.” Ryan’s voice was gentle. “You don’t have to talk about it.”
“Good, because I don’t want to.” I stood and escaped to the front of the store. My eyes were dry and my chest ached.
The music resumed, but the happy chatter was gone and it was all my fault.
Seventeen
I tried to wait out the girl brigade upstairs, but if I didn’t get some of the supplies for the front window set up for the Spring Walk the next day, then I would be screwed.
It wasn’t that late. And I was used to being Kin’s dirty little after hours secret, but it had been a long day of getting stuff ready. Her place was always populated by new items, so it was just a bonus bit of foot traffic for Kinleigh’s shop.
For me? I was trying like hell to make the front of my store more inviting. When I’d first opened, I didn’t care what it looked like. I’d put a new piece in the window and busy myself with online orders and customs from return clients.
Now?
Well, now everything was about the long game when it came to my store. And if I had a kid to be responsible for, I couldn’t be so loose and free with my business plan. Hell, the baby line of furniture might actually be a thing if I got off my ass about it.
“One thing at a time,” I muttered to myself as I took the stairs.
The music was playing, but the female laughter was missing. The door was locked, but I’d been the one to change her locks all those months ago. I knew where the hide-a-key was.
I reached above the doorway to the antique key photo in a frame and flipped it over. She was adorable with all her quirky shop features. No detail was overlooked.
I unlocked the door and replaced the key.
“Hey, Aug.” Gina was coming out of the dressing room area. “What are you doing here?”
Her sister Gabby brought up the rear. “If it isn’t my favorite carpenter.”
I tapped the brim of my hat. “Ladies. Kinleigh offered to let me use some of her stuff as props for the Spring Walk.”
Gina had a pair of jeans draped over her arm. “Oh, that’s smart. You have such nice stuff, but you never pretty it up.”
“I’m not really a pretty kind of guy.”
“Yes, but your customers are.” Gabby set a pair of jeans on the desk. “Need some help picking out things?”
“Uh.” I scanned the room for Kinleigh.
“Or are you looking for a certain redhead?”
I cleared my throat. “We were discussing a few different things. I think she set some stuff aside for me.”
“I’m sure she did.” The brunette from earlier came out of the dressing area. That must have been where party central had been located. “Maybe we should leave these kids to it.”
“Oh.” Gina glanced from me to the dark-haired woman. “Oh.” Her eyes went wide. “Well, then.”
I didn’t disabuse her of the idea. I was damn tired of lying to everyone about my intentions. But I was smart enough not to add any fuel to the fire. Not that the Cove needed help in that arena.
Two blonds came out to join the little crowd around me. Suddenly, I had the need to flee. I wasn’t usually uncomfortable around people, but this amount of estrogen rarely ended well for any man.