Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 107944 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 540(@200wpm)___ 432(@250wpm)___ 360(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107944 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 540(@200wpm)___ 432(@250wpm)___ 360(@300wpm)
I had a vision, and it was crystal clear. Yet until then, I was working nonstop to pay for that college tuition.
Overall, life was beautiful because I worked hard to make it that way.
“Don’t tell me you’re on your way already. I just clocked in,” Kate said, fixing her name badge. She was one of the housekeepers at Starlight Inn where I worked and a saving grace in my life. I didn’t have many friends in town, all of which I could count on one hand—four fingers, if I were honest, but Kate was one of them. She was a stunning Asian woman who came into town a few years back. Since then, we’d connected once we started working together. We were complete opposites—which meant we worked out perfectly. She made me be more social when I was stuck in my introverted cave of reading. While I’d got her to start reading historical romances and cozying up with a book on Friday nights. I called it a win-win friendship.
“You should start working earlier,” I joked. “I’m off to help my mom bake for a few hours, then filling out more master program applications and reading.”
“You’re going to stay up all night reading the book and finish it before me, aren’t you?”
“Guilty.” Kate and I started our own romance book club, and she always complained about how I finished the books in one day while it took her a week. I blamed it on my inability to go to bed without knowing if the book ended with a happily ever after. Spoiler alert: they always did.
She blew out a cloud of hot air. “When do you even sleep?”
I glanced down at my smartwatch and held it up toward her. “Apparently, I get some good deep sleep between two and six o’clock.”
“And still not a bag of exhaustion under your eyes. I hate you.”
“You know what they say, genetics help. Plus, there’s the fifteen-step facial routine I partake in each morning and night.”
Kate rolled her eyes at me and waved me off. “Too much work. Just give me a bar of Dove soap, a washcloth, and a prayer to Jesus, and I’m good to go.” Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a Tootsie Roll, unwrapped it, and popped it into her mouth. “Call me tomorrow. Maybe we can go to that festival together.”
I scrunched up my nose. “I’m not going to that festival tomorrow. Besides, I think I work.”
“Oh, come on. It’s not every day an Oscar-winning actor returns to his hometown. Aiden Walters’s return is the talk of the gossiping town.”
“Don’t remind me,” I muttered as I pushed my curls behind my ears. “I already have an appointment with my therapist to talk to her all about it. My anxiety is going crazy.”
“Or is it butterflies about seeing an old high school love?” Kate gave me a goofy grin. “What if there’s a chance for old flings to be reunited? Just think about it. High school lovers separated for years, then forced back together after growing up and realizing they just need to be together.”
I narrowed my eyes and pointed a stern finger at her. “I’m not going to get back with my ex-boyfriend just so you can meet Bradley Cooper.”
“But it’s Bradley Cooper!” she exclaimed, clutching her hands to her chest as if the idea of her and Bradley falling in love was something she played over and over in her head. To be fair, Kate probably did play that scenario on repeat.
“Good night, Kate.” I laughed, walking off, leaving my friend in the most dramatic state as she shouted back.
“I’ll take Sebastian Stan or Manny Jacinto! I’m not picky!”
“I said, good night!”
“Sinqua Walls! Oh, sweet heavens, the way I would love to lean against Sinqua’s walls!”
A few years ago, Mama and Daddy opened their dream bakery in town. Hailee’s Bakery. If I ever doubted that I was spoiled, having them name a bakery after me was enough proof that I was forever loved. They’d even converted the space upstairs into an apartment for me to live in during my undergrad years. They’d wanted me to be able to focus on my studies and save up my money from my job at Starlight Inn instead of worrying about rent. My gratitude for my parents was through the roof.
Plus, living above a bakery wasn’t the worst thing in the world. It always smelled like heaven. After years of hard work and dedication, they’d made their dreams come true. The bakery was an instant success in town. So much so that Mama had to hire more workers. With the big festival happening the following day, I volunteered to help Mama with the baking the night prior. I knew she’d probably had her hands full, and she never wanted her employees to work overtime.