“Why don’t you let me check out this neglected backyard you have,” Bishop rumbled finally.
Edison flushed, his heart racing. Oh god, it’s so neglected. He sucked in a gulp of air, blinking trying to clear the fog from his brain. “My what?”
Bishop narrowed his eyes as a slow, sly smirk tilted one side of his mouth. It felt as if Bishop could see right through him sometimes. Man, he hoped not.
“Your yard, Edison.”
Edison shook his head, feeling his face heat. “Right, right. Yeah, my… outside… the yard. Um, this way.” He led them to the glass patio doors and pushed the vertical blinds to the side. He flicked on the outside lights, although there was still some lingering daylight at almost eight. He stepped aside so Bishop could walk ahead of him, because even with his rain boots on, he didn’t venture farther than the porch. He laughed when he noticed the horrified expression on Bishop’s face. “I tried to warn you.”
“Yeah, you did. But everyone says their yard is a mess.” Bishop turned to face him, “you meant it.”
Edison rolled his eyes, picking up on Bishop’s teasing. “I’m really no good with yard work. It’s exhausting. People only see the front yard anyway, so I’ve just focused on that.”
“Focused?”
Edison waved, “You know what I mean.”
“The hell I do.” Bishop trudged farther into his jungle of a yard. The space wasn’t massive, but it was a decent enough size not to let grow into a small rainforest. “What do you want me to do to it? I can’t really see much without getting this grass down, so I can check out your foundation. It’s at least four feet of overgrowth out here. Do you have an irrigation system?”
“That’s a firm no,” Edison said from the door.
Bishop stood in the middle of the thigh-high grass and waved him over. “C’mere. Why are you way over there hollering at me?”
He knew he was blushing again. He liked when Bishop gave him that kind of talk and attention. “I’m not yelling. And I’m fine on the porch. I only come out here to use my grill, and even then, I think there’s something out there watching me.”
“It’s fine, Edison. You can walk over since you’re already wearing protective gear. But I’ll save you if anything jumps out.” Bishop smirked. “Like a grasshopper or a frog. Because it’s most likely all that’s out here.”
“Or…” Edison leaned against the door frame. “I can just wait here.”
“How do you get to your shed?” Bishop asked, pointing at the small shelter at the end of his yard.
“I don’t. Besides, there’s nothing in there. My little bit of lawn equipment is in the garage.”
“Okay, then.” Bishop looked as if he was barely holding back his ridicule. “I will say that the grass—while going crazy—is healthy. I can cut some patterns into it. That weeping willow tree back there gives you a lot of shade, which leaves us open to a lot of options as far as fall foliage and greenery. You got room for a pathway to your shed if you ever think you want to use it.”
He was entranced listening to Bishop while he was in his element. He didn’t see what Bishop saw as he turned in a circle taking in every inch of the space, his eyes getting wider and just a hint brighter as if the yard was transforming right before him. It was inspiring, and Edison wished he could envisage it too, but he couldn’t—all he saw was a major eyesore. He actually wanted to get back inside.
“I already got some ideas. I’m gonna take a few pictures.” Bishop pulled out his cell and started clicking.
“I want to invest more into the backyard than the front—I have room in the budget to make it nice—because I do like to come out here to grill. I wouldn’t mind a table and few chairs so I can sit out here on a Saturday night. Maybe a fire pit to have for the fall coming up. I read a lot and listen to audiobooks, so maybe those little outdoor speakers. Like an outdoor reading nook!” Edison’s smile fell when Bishop continued to stare blankly at him. “Doesn’t sound all that exciting, I’m sure.”
He’d run into Bishop at a bookstore, so he thought they had that in common and that it’d be a good conversation piece. But the way Bishop turned away without a word and went back to taking pictures, he began to think perhaps it wasn’t. Landscaping seemed to be the safest route if he wanted a reaction. “Do you have the time to take on this kind of project, Bishop? I know your company is busy. And this job seems to be more extensive than you thought. But, I hope you do. I wouldn’t mind being able to throw my own barbecues or something. My coworkers have them all the time… so…” Edison motioned at his house. “And honestly I’m not sure I want just anyone having access to my house.”