Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“Good for you. I’m a co-owner of a boutique in New York, and I know a good business model when I see one. You have a good one here.”
“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that. I want to start branching out into shoes and other accessories, but I haven’t found the right vendors for me.”
“Oh, I can absolutely hook you up.” I pull a card out of my purse and pass it to the other woman. “Please, shoot me an email, and we’ll send over some suggestions for you.”
“Thanks, I’ll do that.” She glances down at the card and then visibly pales. “You-you’re London Ambrose”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t recognize you.”
“There’s no need to be sorry.” I smile at her, hoping that she doesn’t want to end the conversation just because of my famous name. “Businesswomen have to look out for each other.”
The smile returns to her face, and she nods twice. “You’re right, we do. Are you all visiting?”
“Yes, they’re all cousins, and I’m dating another of their cousins.” I laugh and eye the apple cider. “So, it’s been a family vacation. We’re staying up at the ski resort.”
“Well, welcome to Bitterroot Valley. If you guys need to try on anything or have any questions, I’ll be wandering around.”
“I already need to try stuff on,” Lucy calls out from across the boutique. “I think we might clean you out today, Polly.”
“That’s not a bad problem to have,” Polly replies with a laugh.
We spend two hours in the adorable store. The other girls join us, and we do end up buying at least one of everything that Polly offers. By the time we’re ready to go, we decide we need a pick-me-up.
“Coffee,” Erin says with a grin. “There’s an awesome coffee shop just around the corner called Bitterroot Valley Coffee Co. They have the best lattes.”
“Sold,” Olivia says. “I need to refuel after that awesome shopping spree. I know my clothes, and what Polly offers is excellent quality.”
“Also super cute,” Stella agrees. “If I lived here, I’d shop there all the time.”
I glance at Erin and see her smile happily. She really does love it here.
The coffee shop is quiet when we walk inside, and I’ll admit, it smells divine.
“This is exactly what I needed,” Lucy comments, taking in a deep breath. “Do you roast your own beans?”
“We do,” the woman behind the counter replies with a smile. Her nametag reads Millie. “You can buy beans to grind at home, or we can grind them for you. We also make the little pod things. Or you can just take a cup to go.”
“I want a cup to go and a bag of beans,” Sophie decides, and several of the others nod in agreement.
We’re happy to wait for our orders and peruse the small gift shop while we do. I’m admiring some locally handmade mugs when I hear Erin approach Millie and ask in a low voice, “Are you hiring, by any chance?”
Millie nods and tells Erin to apply online.
Amazingly, no one else heard the exchange. Erin glances my way and winks. I have to admit, I’m happy for her. I hope it all works out just the way she wants it to.
“I think Vaughn and I are going to order dinner in tonight,” Olivia says as we begin to make our way back to the condos. “I don’t mean to be antisocial, but I kind of want to relax. It’s been a busy few days.”
“You know, Gray and I were thinking the same thing,” Stella says. “A quiet night in with some snowy sexy time sounds pretty great.”
I grin, silently agreeing. I love Drew’s cousins. They’re smart and funny and so welcoming. I haven’t felt like a practical stranger even once the entire time we’ve been here.
But I can’t help but agree with them. A quiet night in does sound really good.
“London, my mom mentioned that she’s going to have a photo session with you,” Olivia says as she sips her coffee.
“Yes, and I’m so excited. She had all kinds of fun ideas when we were on the phone, and I can’t wait to see what she has for me when I get there. I don’t always love having my photo taken, but I think it’ll be a fun gift for Drew.”
“He’ll lose his shit. Speaking of men, there are a few of our guys now,” Sidney says, pointing down the block. Keaton, Drew, Liam, and Ike are talking with some people on the sidewalk. They’re smiling and nodding, and Ike is signing something for a woman who’s jumping up and down.
“Uh-oh, Soph,” Erin says, “better go stake your claim. She’s a little overzealous.”
But I’m not watching Ike with the excited fan. I’m watching the way Drew is smiling at her friend, listening intently, and then laughing at her joke. She tucks her hair behind her ear flirtatiously, and Drew looks her up and down, getting an eyeful.