Rock Bottom Romance by Diane Holiday

Author:Diane Holiday [Holiday, Diane]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: City Owl Press
Published: 2024-01-09T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

Zach waited, glancing at Crystal from the corner of his eye. No way his mother was okay with Crystal riding a bike on pitch-dark roads at night.

“What?” His mom came to the bottom of the steps.

“Did Crystal tell you how she was going to get here Friday night to paint flowers on the walls?”

“Yes, it’s very sweet of her.” His mother wiped her hands on the dishtowel she held. “Oh, and Crystal, I’d like to go with the fuchsia pink you showed me. Do you think that will work?”

“Of course. That’s my favorite.”

The acid in his stomach burned. Had an alien taken over his mother? She thought Crystal’s plan was “sweet,” not dangerous?

His mom called up the stairs, “And by the way, Crystal, no need for you to ride a bike here. I couldn’t live with myself if anything happened to you. Brody is coming on Friday night to discuss the finances for the farm stand and co-op sales. He said he’d bring you and take you back.”

Crystal’s face fell before she pasted on a polite smile. “That’s nice of him. Thanks.”

Zach’s tight muscles eased. At least that problem was resolved. He stepped back into the bedroom.

Crystal followed, tugging her hat lower. Why did she keep doing that? It was not like the sun was shining in her eyes. Whatever. Time was ticking, and he needed to get busy.

He flashed back to the happy smile on his mom’s face after shopping with Crystal. “I don’t decorate, so thanks for doing all this for my mother.”

“Well, I…I’m doing it for you too. You’re nice enough to let me stay at your place.” Crystal toyed with a button on her shirt.

The tentative way she’d said it and the redness in her cheeks tugged at his heart.

“We’re both grateful. It’s warm in here even with the air on. Why don’t you roll up your sleeves and pants?”

“It’s all right. I don’t want to…”

“You don’t want to what?” He took a step closer.

She kept her head down.

“Crystal? What are you trying not to say?”

“I’m glad you agreed to let me help. The least I can do is try not to gross you out.”

“What are you talking about?”

“The way I look. You said it yourself. You appreciate me wearing these clothes. And your mom’s comment about how hard it was for you to be around me.” Her voice caught. “I’m not blind. I’m ugly right now.”

“Wait a minute.” He scratched his head. Was she out of her mind? It was taking a monumental effort for him not to stare at her. “I said that about your outfit because I thought you were being smart, covering up so you wouldn’t get paint on your skin.”

She looked him in the eyes for a quick second. “What about what your mom said? And why did you race out of your house earlier when she was making those comments?”

Zach shook his head. He had no idea what got into Crystal. She was saying things that made no sense, and he couldn’t take anymore.

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