The Romeo Arrangement

“Would you have expected Jess to give me this truck without buying it?”

“Apples and oranges,” I answer. “That’s not even close to the same thing.”

“Your skills are valuable, darlin’. You’ve got ninja shit no one else in this town has, and they’re willing to pay you like they should.”

His eyes stay glued to the road, but there’s no missing the excitement, the determination in his gaze.

“They’re candles, Ridge. And I just told her how to toss around a few things she already had,” I tell him matter-of-factly.

“It’s more than that. You’re a hell of a lot more than that. Don’t keep thinking you aren’t worth anything because you are. Hell, people write books telling others how to wipe their asses, and they charge for it.”

Okay, that gets a giggle. It may be crude but it’s true.

“I’m not trying to play comedian,” he says. “Although I do love to hear you laugh.” He reaches over, taking my hand. “Seriously, Grace. You’re talented. You’re smart. You’re beautiful. You deserve to be paid for that in spades. Never sell yourself short, sweetheart.”

I’m so not worthy.

“I know I owe you a lot, Ridge. The cost of us staying here—”

“Hold up, Grace. This has nothing to do with me. Nothing to do with you living with us. I can spend my money any damn way I please, and right now, I want to spend it on you. And Nelson. It’s mine. I earned a good portion off my talent, just like you should.”

I know he means well, and don’t point out the fact that our ’talents’ are leagues apart.

“I know the VA isn’t paying for Jackie, Ridge, like you told Dad. They don’t pay for home care.”

He’s silent for a moment before asking, “Would it make you feel better if they did? If I gave them a donation to match the cost? I donate to veterans groups all the time, nothing out of the ordinary for me to—”

“We’re already big enough charity cases for you.”

“Bull. That’s not what I mean, and you know it.” His grip on my hand tightens. “I want you here, Grace. You and your old man both, as long as it takes. I like you and I like helping Nelson. And damn it, this isn’t about me for once. It’s about you finding your lady-balls and telling Amy how much those frigging candles cost.”

“I know. I just…”

“You just don’t want to believe your work’s good enough. Too bad, woman. I’m proud of you, and I’m going to make you proud of yourself, even if it takes all summer.”

I get what he’s saying. His persistence pulls a smile out of me.

“It’s like a dozen candles, Ridge. Hardly enough to shake a stick at.”

“It’s a start,” he says firmly. “We all start somewhere with any venture. Make a wish and get paid.”

The dreaded W word again.

A shiver ripples down my shoulders. Mom’s words echo in my head again.

If you’ve got a light, you’ve still got a wish.

He’s saying exactly what she’d meant. That light, wherever it is, can mark the way to better things.

“My big start was a diaper commercial,” he says. “Now that’s groundbreaking shit right there.”

I bite my bottom lip at the smile forming.

Unbuckling my seat belt, I stretch across the console and kiss his cheek. “Thanks. I could use a fresh start.”

For the thousandth time, he melts me with that perfect grin.

“You’re welcome, darlin’.” Then he plants a quick kiss on my lips. “Remind me later to show you how much I’ve grown up since I starred in baby commercials.”

We aren’t late to the party after all.

The candles are a hit, the hyper little girls love racing each other to blow them out, and later they chatter among themselves, helping scoop wax out of the cups so they can take them home for their own tea parties.

While parents are picking up their children, I bag up the trash and carry it out the back door. As I’m dropping the bag in the trash, something on the ground catches my attention.

Bile burns my throat.

A half-smoked cigar, probably something left by one of the guys, but it’s the smell that gets me.

I squeeze my eyes shut, memories already hitting like a current pulling me under.

The smell when I entered the house. The pain of him grabbing me. The ashes.

A sob has me gasping, fighting, trying to breathe.

I just—

Hands clap my shoulders, and my body jolts to get them off.

A scream tears out of me.

“Hey! Hey, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

Ridge’s voice penetrates the darkness.

I gasp for air, shaking, panic coiled tight around my throat like an angry snake.

He turns me around to stare into his gentle blue eyes. “Grace? Goddammit it, what’s wrong? What happened?”

I grab his waist and bury my face in his chest, blocking out everything but him.

“You’re all right, sweetheart.” His voice resonates with deep command, strong enough to break through the adrenaline storm in my blood.