Devon

The grocery runtook slightly longer than anticipated. He had planned to be in and out in no time as he knew exactly what he was there for with no detours in mind, except he had seen those foil balloons for various occasions near the cashier. There was no reason for him to be standing in front of the selection for so long, contemplating if he should get Reba one.

She would be surprised, sure, but in her current state of annoyance at him, would it have the desired effect or the opposite? He did want to cheer her up, but would a cheap-looking Get Well Soon balloon do that? In spite of his hesitation, he checked the price then grabbed the first one before he could question his decision to death.

He didn’t need to do this, but he wanted to, regardless of if she threw it back in his face. Actions and all that. Some foil balloon wasn’t going to have her falling into his arms agreeing to date him, but he still felt compelled to get it.

As he pulled into the driveway and stepped out of the car, the balloon bobbing about slightly, he came face-to-face with his neighbour, who was out watering his plants. Mr. Garrett was an older man with a wife and four noisy grandchildren who sometimes visited. Watering can in hand, his eyes dipped down to the balloon in Devon’s hand, then back up.

“Well, morning, neighbour.”

Devon was definitely not about to be caught in any small talk. Mr. Garrett was retired and spent most of his days in his gallery, people-watching. He would have noticed Reba’s car out front, might have even seen her arrive this morning.

Devon waved and kept it moving, stepping inside. He was certain they all gossiped about him at their monthly community meetings, especially since he had never attended a single one, always begging off because of work. They had certainly gotten more fodder since he had started baking with Reba, and probably after last night too.

He deposited the things for baking into the kitchen and went upstairs with the balloon. She was still asleep, curled up on her side, looking exactly like the angelic being he had claimed she mimicked when she slept. He hadn’t lied. Sleep transformed Reba completely.

Her hair was a light pink wave across his pillow, darker at her roots where the colour was growing out. Her top had rucked up a bit to expose more of her stomach, his eyes drawn to her navel ring, a bunch of dangling stars this time.

He snapped himself out of it and clutched the balloon tighter in his grip. “Reba.” He shook her shoulder lightly.

She rolled over and shook her head. “I was having a nice dream.” Her eyes remained closed, no attempt to get up.

“You can rest a bit more if you like. I can set things up in the kitchen.”

“Just give me a sec,” she mumbled. “You’re paying me, so I should be instructing.”

“I brought you something,” he said.

She opened her eyes a fraction and squinted up at him. She blinked as if trying to clear away the sleep. “Is that a balloon?”

Of course, she was confused. “Uh, yes. Here.”

She sat up, face still scrunched up. Her arms rose above her head in a full stretch before she reached for the balloon. “Why?” she asked, twirling the balloon around.

He shrugged. “Just because.”

“You don’t do things just because. Is this a bribery balloon or something?”

“Why would I be trying to bribe you?”

“I don’t know. This is just unexpected.”

So maybe the balloon hadn’t been a good idea after all. “If you don’t want it, I can get rid of it.”

“No, no, it’s fine. I just—” She looked at the balloon, then back up at him. “Thanks.”

He truly wanted to know what was going on inside her head. “You’re welcome. Come down when you’re ready, okay?”

“Uh, okay.”

She looked more awake when she joined him in the kitchen, watching him arrange the ingredients. He glanced at the recipe on his laptop screen. He had every intention of following the instructional video. Reba didn’t say anything, simply watching him.

“Thanks for the balloon. Weird but cute. Just like me.” Her elbows were on the counter, face cupped in her hands as she watched him.

“I wouldn’t say you’re weird, just overly chipper with a penchant for chaos.”

“I like that. Might put it on a business card.”

Tags: N.G. Peltier Romance
Source: readsnovelonline.net