The One

🌸 Chapter 9

🌸Prim POV

I decide that I want to look professional for the architect. I want him to take me seriously when we talk about the house. Not to mention that he is Matty's good friend. So after my shower I put on a pair of chic slacks and a pretty floral blouse then add some makeup and straighten my hair.

I look at the clock and realize I have a little time to work on the auction piece when there's a knock at the door. I open it to find Matty and his dad standing there. Matty smiles, "He insisted on coming over to say 'hello'."

"Blake!" I love Matt's dad. I wrap him in a hug. "It is so good to see you!"

He pats my back, "Oh goodness, the pleasure is all mine and you know it, young lady."

"Come in! Come in!" Blake has my hand and I lead him over to the couch where we sit.

"Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes, my dear." He grins at me. "You are still as pretty as a picture." He pats my hand, "It's been too long dear, I hope you are back to stay." I'm sure he knows I'm not.

Matt slouches down on the couch on my other side, "Zero words for your son on the entire walk over here and now you found plenty for the neighbor girl, huh Dad?"

Blake pats my hand, "Well, she's my favorite girl, after all."

I smile at him, "That cannot possibly be true, you have two daughters, Sir." I use a teasing tone.

He leans in close, "Best if we didn't tell them, Primrose. Hurt feelings and all." We all laugh at his teasing. "Even way back when Matthew couldn't say your name, I was smitten with you. You were always such a darling little thing."

Our parents told us this story a hundred times. We were young when Matty couldn't pronounce my name, like two or three years old. His older sisters kept trying to get him to say 'Primrose' but all he could say was Prim, he'd never get the 'Rose' on the end. Then when everyone started calling me Rose, Matty still called me 'Prim'. And he still does to this day.

Blake wants to know everything I've been up to. We talk about the house renovation and my art. I tell him about my booth at the fair and the auction piece. He tells me about a couple projects he's been working on.

Then he stands and touches my cheek, "I know you have a meeting so I'll skedaddle. You come to dinner some night, alright dear?"

I pat his back as he walks to the door. "You are too sweet to me, Blake." Your wife would prefer you not invite me over.

I close the door behind him and turn around to find Matty smirking at me from the couch. "God damn, that man falls more in love with you every time he sees you." I roll my eyes. "I seriously expected the two of you to start making out."

My eyes go wide and I pounce on him smacking him on the arm, "Matty! Not! Appropriate!" One smack for each word.

He grabs me and pulls me onto his lap, "He can't have you, Prim. I'll fight him if he tries to take you from me. I'm pretty sure I could take him in a fist fight."

I groan, "Stop. You would never beat up your own father."

He chuckles. "For you I might." He looks down into my eyes. "I've beat up boys for you before."

I frown in confusion, "You did?" I shake my head, "No." Then I remember and the memory has me throwing my head back in laughter. I'm laughing so hard I can barely get the words out. "You... you pushed Dan..  Danny Weaver over!" He's pouting at me laughing at him. "ONE TIME!" He frowns his face to accentuate how much he doesn't like my teasing. "When we were six!"

I love his little lower lip in a pout. I can't help but pinch it. He pulls his face away. "I saved you from the playground bully AND we weren't even friends yet. It was gallant of me. You should be grateful."