The Suit Read Online Free PDF Page A

granddaddy did trust him.”
    “You know what people will think Carl. Everyone will be gossiping and assuming him and me are…” I pause. My next words were going to be ‘hooking up,’ but I’m not sure I should say that to Carl. Carl’s face reddens slightly and he gives me a knowing nod.
    “Seems Bud put me in charge of making sure you both keep the agreement.” He moves on, avoiding my last statement.
    “Both?”
    “You must allow Mr. Wilson to fulfill his end of the agreement.”
    “This is insane. You know that, right?”
    Carl chuckles hardily. “It’s not so bad. It’ll be an extra hand to help out.” Carl pulls his glasses off and pinches the bridge of his nose. I waste five more minutes of his time begging him to figure out a way to get me out of this arrangement, but my pleas fall on deaf ears.
    I leave his office in a complete fog. Tomorrow, a complete stranger who thinks I’m some kind of floozy and probably has no idea what the hell to do around a farm, is going to move in with me.
    After I exit Carl’s office, letting his pep talk about honoring Daddy Bud’s wishes sink in, I find the suit perched on the hood of his car, arms crossed, suit jacket open. His head is bowed as if he’s thinking or staring at the ground. As soon as he senses my presence, he stands and approaches.
    “Look, I know this is not ideal for you,” he begins.
    “Or for you,” I add shoving my hands into the front pocket on my sweatshirt. “Can you understand I basically just lost my last family member and now I have to live with a complete stranger?”
    He sighs and runs a hand through his hair. “Trust me. This is the last place in the world I want to be at.”
    Something about his words offends me. He sounds like a snob; as if he’s too good to live on a farm with me. “Oh, well, I’m so sorry a refined man such as yourself is being forced to stay with little ole me. Bless your heart, sugar.” My accent is about as country as I can make it and my tone is drenched with sarcasm.
    “That’s not what I meant, Edie,” he huffs shaking his head.
    “Well, what did you mean?” I snap and cross my arms.
    “Look,” he groans. “Obviously we’re two very different people.”
    “I beg your pardon?”
    “I mean I’m of a different breed.”
    I stare at him, dumbfounded. “Are you serious?”
    “That came out wrong. I just mean you’re from here and I’m used to being somewhere else.”
    “Oh, so you think I’m uncultured?”
    “Jesus. Never mind. I’m just trying to explain I’m not thrilled ab out this either.”
    “I’m waiting,” I cross my arms tighter. “Please explain, but speak slowly. We’re s low in these here parts,” I say.
    He snorts, shaking with laughter. “Wow. You’re that woman.”
    “Excuse me?”
    “The kind of woman that finds insult in everything a person says.”
    I have to take a few seconds to process what he’s just said. Oh, the irony. “You don’t know anything about me.”
    “I know enough,” he laughs.
    “You know what? Just forget it, suit. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I stomp away from him like a furious child. What has Daddy Bud done? Why would he make a man come here who obviously hates it?

    I head straight over to Nikki’s house in desperate ne ed of someone to whine to. Twenty minutes later, I’m knocking on her door.
    “Hey boo, what are you doing here?” Nikki greets me happily and motions for me to come in. She’s wearing her Holly Springs pageant sash and the tiara over her spandex shorts and sports bra. Her skin glistens with the sheen of a light sweat. I stare at her a moment and she shrugs nonchalantly.
    “I have to hand over the title in a couple of months or so when I win the Miss Raleigh pageant and I was just putting it on for kicks.”
    “While working out?” I smirk at her.
    “I look pretty ridiculous, huh?” she snorts as she looks down at herself.
    “Not at all,” I say, dryly.
    “Don’t laugh at me,” she