Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 24935 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 125(@200wpm)___ 100(@250wpm)___ 83(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24935 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 125(@200wpm)___ 100(@250wpm)___ 83(@300wpm)
“Drama,” Wolfe whispers.
“I heard that,” Montana says.
“I wasn’t trying that hard to cover it up,” Wolfe replies with a grin. “Good to know your ears work.”
“You’re funny,” Montana replies, but from the look on her face, it’s safe to say that she doesn’t find Wolfe funny at all.
“Hey, I have fun news,” Luna announces, changing the subject. “I know the inn isn’t officially open yet, but I want to have a girls’ night out there. I think it’s going to become a regular, monthly thing, and I need to try it out. All of you are invited. And the ladies from Three Sisters Kitchen will cater. I need to make sure it’s something fun that I can pull off regularly.”
“Honey, you know we’re in,” Sarah says. “When? And what can we bring?”
“I know it’s short notice, but I’d love to do it tomorrow night.”
“My girl is nothing if not spontaneous,” Wolfe says with a grin.
“I told you, it’s short notice,” Luna says, wincing. “But I’m losing time between now and when we officially open, and I really want to try this out.”
“I’m in,” Cherry says. “Montana?”
“Of course. Need ice cream?”
“Hey, maybe. I think it would be fun to feature different things from women-owned businesses each month.”
“I think that’s a great idea,” Montana says, getting excited. “Did you know that Cherry makes candles and room sprays and all kinds of cool things?”
I feel Cherry fidget next to me as Luna shifts her attention. “How did I not know this? Do you mean to tell me that I could feature locally sourced candles and other fancy goodies in our guest rooms? This is huge! I need to place a giant order, Cherry. Where is your storefront? It must be new.”
“Oh, I don’t have one. Don’t tell my HOA, but I do my work online and out of my guest room.”
I sit back smugly and listen to Sarah, Luna, and Montana try to talk some sense into Cherry about starting a business. I couldn’t agree with them more, and I wish Cherry would listen to them.
“Girl, I’ve been telling you this for more than two years. You could make bank. There is a huge demand for what you offer.”
“Too risky,” Cherry says, shaking her head. “But thanks for the vote of confidence. I’d love to talk to you about putting my products in the inn, Luna.”
“Oh, you can bet your fine ass we’ll be talking,” Luna promises just as someone turns on the microphone to get the rest of the night underway.
* * * *
“Okay, that was fun,” Cherry announces as we step inside my condo, and she kicks out of her heels, sighing in relief. “Those things were killing me. Montana’s feet are just a tiny bit smaller than mine.”
“Wait.” I hold up a hand and scowl. “You were wearing Montana’s shoes?”
“Well, sure. I don’t have heels to go with that dress. It would be silly to buy new ones for just one night.”
“No, silly is walking in shoes that don’t fucking fit you, Cherry.”
She narrows her eyes at me and, without a word, walks right into the guest room and shuts the door.
Five minutes later, she walks back out, sans dress and wearing some leggings with a loose top, her hair up in a ponytail.
“If you want to argue,” she begins, “let’s talk about something more important than shoes. You never told me that you were looking for a new place to live.”
“Of course, I didn’t. Why would I tell you that? You were the reason I wanted to move. But things have changed. Besides, there are no other beachfront condos in this town.”
Cherry’s eyes narrow further. “Why was I the reason you wanted to move, Zeke?”
“Come on.” I blow out a breath and push my hand through my hair. “You know why. We didn’t get along at all. We made each other’s lives a living hell, and it was getting to where I didn’t want to even be at home anymore.”
“Well—”
“No, pull the stick out of your ass, Cherry. I’m not done. The past few weeks have been awesome, and I know without a doubt that this is where I want to be. With you. I don’t need to move, and now that we’ve ironed things out, there’s no reason to. Come on, you have to admit that before Halloween, we didn’t enjoy living across from each other.”
She looks like she wants to argue, but then she deflates. “Okay, I admit it. But you should have said something.”
“I’ll be honest, the minute you knocked on my door, all wet and naked and adorable, I completely forgot about moving. There was nothing to tell you because it wasn’t going to happen.”
Her expression softens, and I know I’m off the hook.
“That was a good answer.”
“Move in with me.”
The words are out before I’ve even fully formed them in my head, but I don’t regret voicing them.