Free Coming Up Daffy by Sandra Sookoo Page B

him. I hope that’s okay.”
    â€œSounds good.” Her smile widened. Maybe she’d let her assistant run the flower shop that day just for the novelty of being home alone for hours on end. She handed Mark another plate. “Just remember, if you make me cry, he’ll be your worst enemy. You might have to move because of him.”
    â€œI don’t think I need to worry about that.” He rinsed the last plate, stuck it in the rack, and then leaned his hips against the counter while she drained the sink. “Or about moving. For the moment, I’m sticking around the farmhouse. My brother and Lucy will just have to deal with a roomie for a while until I figure a few things out.”
    Though she silently rejoiced, a frown tugged at her mouth. “So, it has nothing to do with you figuring out you really can’t afford a place on your own?”
    â€œIt might.” He yanked a dish towel from the counter, twisted it, and whipped it in her direction. The end snapped at her hip. “But it’s more like weird things are happening with my grandma, and I want to see how they play out.”
    She giggled and stepped back, avoiding another bite of the towel. She liked Mark’s teasing nature. He was much different than Frank in that way too. “Weird things? Is she sick?”
    â€œNot even close.” He tossed her the towel. “She’s getting real chummy with one of the older gentleman from town. If things progress and they decide to move in together, maybe she’ll give me her house.”
    â€œWell, that would be ideal. You’d still be close to your brother and the bait shop, plus you wouldn’t need to move to Indianapolis or find a new job.” After drying her hands, she folded the towel and rested it back on the counter. “Good thing you’re not a worrier.” If she’d been in the same situation, she’d develop an ulcer while trying to figure out how to make ends meet or even how the future would line up.
    â€œAnd you shouldn’t be either. It’ll all work out. I’m like a cat — I always land on my feet.” He grabbed her hand and tugged her from the kitchen into the living room. “Let’s watch the news.”
    She lightly bit her bottom lip. I don’t know if I’m in the market for a cat. I want a guy who’s stable with his act together. “But it’s only nine. The news won’t come on for an hour.”
    â€œI meant the Francesville broadcast. It’s usually good for a few laughs since the folks over there are always in training.”
    â€œRight. I always forget about News Eight at Nine on Ten-Sundays .” She rolled her eyes as she plopped down into the soft microfiber sofa cushions. “It even sounds a little dorky when you say it out loud.”
    â€œYup, but it’s something to do.” Mark settled beside her and slid an arm around her shoulders. “Besides, your dad told me I couldn’t stay past ten. He informed me you had a curfew. Plus he told me kisses had to be without tongue and my hands shouldn’t wander.”
    â€œOh, brother.” Heat flamed in her cheeks. Sometimes her dad’s old-fashioned views irritated her. “I’m not a teenager anymore. I think I can manage to figure out what’s good or bad for me.” She leaned against his shoulder, shoving her dad’s quirks from her mind. Being with Mark — for the short time she could this evening — was the best payoff. She’d never felt as at ease with a guy so quickly before. Did he feel the same way or was it just her and her same old wishful thinking?
    â€œMaybe so, but I’ll do what he says anyway.” Mark grabbed the remote control. Seconds after he flipped on the TV, the screen flickered to life. No flat screens for her dad.
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œBecause staying here with you, knowing your old man’s probably asleep in front of his TV, is