Worth Every Cent (Worth It 2)

“Things going that well?”

“Let’s say I could use a few of your stories. How are things out in Stillsville? Getting Anton’s house taken care of?”

“It’s coming along. I have another showing later on today since the first one fell through.”

“Sounds like there’s a story there.”

“And not a story I want to talk about right now. In the meantime, I want you to send out two more cases of wine to Anton’s address. Overnight, if you can.”

“Are you throwing some sort of selling celebration?” she asked. “Or is this for someone else?”

“Mind your own business and ship the wine out.”

“So tense. Maybe I’ll ship you out the bad stuff just to stick it to you.”

“Do you enjoy your job?” I asked.

“I do when it’s not running around behind you and cleaning up your messes. I’ll ship the wine out to you. You’re lucky that it was just bottled.”

“And you’re lucky I’ve known you for so long,” I said with a grin.

“I’ll get it in the mail and overnight it within the hour. But you owe me a story.”

“I owe you several for what you’ve done for me. I’ll keep in touch.”

“No, you won’t. Not if she’s involved. But let me know how the showing goes, even if you don’t want to fill me in on all the fun details of your adventure.”

“I hear you grinning.”

“Good. Because it’s out and shining,” she said. “I’ll shoot you a message when I’ve sent it out.”

“Thanks.”

I hung up the phone and walked into the florist to concoct the perfect bouquet. But just as I went to place my order, a few teenage girls came into the shop. Chattering and giggling away, off in their own little worlds with their heads in the clouds. They went up to the counter and ordered corsages for their senior prom, but once they caught sight of me their conversation ceased.

Until one of them pointed and began to giggle.

“It’s nice to know I can still entertain,” I said.

“Are you that rich guy from out of town?” one of the girls asked.

“The one that used to be a jerk in high school?” another asked.

I shrugged, though I silently begged the florist to speed up her work.

“There were a lot of guys who were jerks in high school. But not all of them are rich,” I said with a grin.

“So you’re the guy who’s doing the waitress,” the girl asked.

“To my knowledge, she isn’t a waitress anymore,” I said.

“But she’s the girl, right? The one that’s hooking up with her ex, too?”

I frowned at the question as my eyes batted between the three girls. I looked over to the florist, but the woman was peering back at me from my flowers with a sad look in her eyes. Apparently, it was a rumor she was privy to as well.

Was that what the town was talking about? Michelle screwing around with Andy behind my back?

“Let me ask you something, since you seem to want to indulge in adult topics,” I said. “Where did you pick up a rumor like that?”