Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27528 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27528 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
I shrugged. “Can’t reveal all my beauty secrets, can I?”
“Whatever,” she smacked my belly. “I hope you get to meet him this year.”
“Considering where things are headed with Lee and Nix, I think it’s safe to say it’ll happen eventually.” I was sure there would be at least two weddings this year based on the loved-up state of both my brother and my best friend.
“Have a seat, and I’ll bring you something to eat while I talk your ear off.”
“Aw, sounds like you missed me.”
True to form, she flipped me off, which made me laugh as I took a seat that gave me a good view of the sidewalk outside the window. I wondered if I’d see Kayla. Did she stop in the bakery on her way to work? Was she up already? Thinking about me?
“Okay, superstar. Double espresso and a breakfast sandwich with the works.” Torey smiled and pushed the tray across the table as she sat. “Heard you played white knight to Edith last night.”
I groaned, and my head fell forward. “Small-town living.”
“That’s right,” she laughed. “You know she’s gonna love you forever now, right?”
I laughed with her. “That old lady is a trip. She says what she wants and isn’t afraid to cop a feel.” And if it hadn’t been for my act of kindness, I wouldn’t have met the gorgeous doctor. “Do you know Kayla Stevens?”
“Of course. We grew up together. She just came back a few months ago.” She wore a knowing expression, but instead of teasing, she waited me out.
“She’s my neighbor.” I refused to squirm under the weight of her big blue gaze and instead focused on the bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich with vibrant pesto. “Delicious.”
“I would’ve guessed you’d go for Rob,” she said out of nowhere. “She used to be a model.”
“Don’t know anyone named Rob, and I gave up models years ago.” They didn’t eat, and they were, to put it mildly, boring as hell.
“Interesting.”
“What’s interesting?” I asked in as bland a voice as I could muster.
“This,” she pointed at me. “You, trying to act nonchalant while asking me about a woman. A hot-as-hell woman, at that.”
She was hot as hell, in her doctor’s clothes and out of them. I dreamed about her in nothing but a smile last night, and I just knew she’d be just as gorgeous in real life.
“So, what are your plans while you’re in town?”
“Don’t know,” I shrugged and sipped my coffee. “Unwind and enjoy small-town life while I work on some songs. Is your All-American hero going to freak out if we hang?”
“Of course not,” she rolled her eyes. “What kind of man would be jealous of his woman hanging out with a beautiful rock star?” She laughed, but it turned into a groan when the bell above the door chimed again.
“What?”
“The troublemakers, also known as the Matchmaking Brigade, are here.”
“And you’re already matched,” I reminded her.
“You’re not,” she shot back with a gleam in her eyes.
“True, but I’m also under no obligation to play nice.” It was nice that her fake romance turned real, but I wouldn’t be so easily roped into anything.
“Mac Lancaster.” A woman in a colorful dress smiled at me. “Jane Moon.” She held out her hand and introduced the other women as Krista, Molly, and Sara. “Rumor has it you’ll be in town for a while?”
I shrugged. “That’s true.”
“I hope you’ll participate in our upcoming St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.”
Of course.
“Don’t do it,” Torey whispered.
I smiled as I met the gazes of each woman. “I’m not sure what my schedule will be, but as soon as I do, I’ll let you know.”
“I heard you were on a break,” the one called Krista insisted with a bit of attitude.
“Check your sources. The tour is over, but that’s not the only part of my work. I have songs to write and other obligations.”
“Well,” another began, but I held up a hand to stop her.
“I will let you ladies know, or better yet, I’ll just show up when I feel like it.” These women were aggressive as hell, and I didn’t understand why. The minute they were gone, I looked to Torey. “Were they looking for a donation?” Usually, people outright asked me for money.
“No, they wanted to see how much of a pushover you are. Good job.”
“Thanks, I think.” This town was weird as hell, and I must be crazy because I liked it.
“You should consider sticking around for the St. Paddy’s activities; they’re fun.”
I smiled. “Yeah, I saw your karaoke video, remember?”
Torey’s cheeks blushed a bright shade of pink. “I was terrible.”
“You were, but you gave a good performance. That counts for a lot.”
“Thanks, Mac.”
“Anytime.” She couldn’t carry a tune, but she had stage presence, which was more than I could say about plenty of my fellow artists. “Anyway, I should get going.” The bakery was starting to fill up, and I knew she’d have to go help Nix.