Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 38053 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 190(@200wpm)___ 152(@250wpm)___ 127(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38053 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 190(@200wpm)___ 152(@250wpm)___ 127(@300wpm)
“Thanks. What are you doing on this side of the river?”
Paxton lives in Magnolia Ridge, another small town on the opposite side of the May River. It has the same charm as Magnolia Point, and up until two years ago shared a high school between the two towns.
He gazes in my direction, lifting a brow. “You’ve been back a month now, and I never got a phone call.”
I exhale deeply, running a hand over my face. “I’m sorry, Pax, but damn, I picked up my entire life to come back and open this shop. I haven’t exactly had much downtime.”
“I heard more from you when you were living in Saint Pierce, but if you want my honest opinion—”
“Not really.”
“Too bad,” he says, giving my back a hearty slap. “I think you’ve been hiding. You need to move on from your breakup, man. It’s time.”
He’s not wrong. I’ve been licking my wounds from my breakup with Hilary. Not because I loved her or that I’m missing her, but because failure is something I can’t handle.
Moving back to Magnolia Point was not in my plans, but there’s a sense of family here that I never felt anywhere else.
“Well, you gonna show me around?”
“Of course.”
I show him the makeshift stage near the front window of the store.
“Oh very cool. You have bands play here?” he asks.
I nod. “Yeah.” I’d like to do more. I’d love to host events, or have concerts. Business hasn’t been the best, but we’re still new. Still finding our footing.
“This is a great idea. Cool for a first date or something,” Paxton says, standing on the stage.
I take him to the back, showing him where everything is stored. Of course Bren nearly trips over herself when she sees Paxton.
When we were in high school, he was definitely the most popular guy at Magnolia High, and not for his athletic skills, which were impressive too. He’s a good-looking guy with dark hair and intense green eyes. Apparently features that have girls swooning.
At twenty-six, he still has the muscular body he did in high school. Not that I’m far behind.
After Bren is successful at saying hi or stuttering something similar, I show Paxton my office.
“Seriously?” He yanks my most prized possession off a shelf.
I laugh, pulling the shimmery-gold crown from his hands. “Give me that.”
“You still display this ol’ thing from being named Prom King back in high school?”
Our laughter fills the air as I replace it back on the shelf. “Yep.”
Not that it’s anyone's business.
“How about some coffee?” I suggest, leading him back out to the shop.
Bren prepares a mug for each of us, and we take a seat at a little table next to a window.
“So what’s new?” Paxton asks.
“What do you know about February Frost?”
He leans back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. “Oh, February,” he begins with a smirk. “Well, she’s the owner of Deja Brew. She’s super friendly, always smiling. She’s got a great laugh and gets along with everyone in town. She’s funny. She has an older sister, January. I guess her parents have a sense of humor too. Anyway, her sister is a big marketing executive in New York for Brighting Gaming.”
“No shit, I’ve played a bunch of their games.”
“Me too. Cool graphics for sure.”
I give a nod, sipping my hot coffee, anticipating his next words.
“Damn, this coffee’s good.”
“Thanks, but can we get back to February?”
He grins, wrapping his hands around his mug. “Oh yeah, she’s lived here a few years now. She’s gorgeous, and best of all, she’s single, my man.”
My brow dips as I stare at him. “Pax, I don’t give a shit about any of that. I’m more interested in her coffee shop. She’s my competition and today she came in here, went behind the counter, and acted like she worked here.”
A chuckle escapes him as he shakes his head. “What the hell?”
“Exactly. So, what’s her deal?”
He lifts his shoulders in a shrug as he stares at me. “Maybe she was trying to get a leg up on you. See how you run things?”
“Yeah, that’s what I’m thinking. Have you ever been to Deja Brew?”
“Of course, it’s nice. Completely different atmosphere than this place,” he says.
I wasn’t looking for a fierce competition, but it appears February has different plans.
“Maybe you need to pay her a little visit. If she’s gonna spy on you, you should return the favor,” Pax suggests.
I flash a grin, raising my gaze to meet his. “I like your thinking.”
“Come out with me tonight. We can come up with a plan.”
“I don’t know, Pax. I have to make the schedule for the week and talk to a few musicians who are interested in playing.”
He rests his arms on the table and shakes his head. “Harrison, you need to make time for yourself. You need to go out and have some fun. Come to the Diddled Fiddle tonight. You can catch up with everyone.”