Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 100090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
The new light-colored furniture makes the place look brighter, and Mac came back today to hang some light fixtures that make it look fancy and happy.
Two things I love.
Another delivery came yesterday of a new sideboard piece that I’m using for storage and a place to set out snacks and drinks. For summer, I’ll have lemonade and strawberry biscuit cookies that Jackie Harmon makes over at The Sugar Studio. Jackie makes the best cookies. It was hard to narrow it down to just one variety.
I go into the back and turn off the lights, make sure the back door is secure and locked, and then I sling my cross-body Louis Vuitton bag on and return to the front of the store to let myself out the glass door and lock it behind me.
I’m going to treat myself to dinner tonight. I called Summer, but she and Chase are busy out at the new house, so it’ll just be me tonight.
And that’s okay. I’m getting used to my bestie being preoccupied with her man all the time now. When we were both single, it was easy to get together a few times a week, but now I usually see her just a couple of times a month. I miss her, but I’m so happy that she’s found her soulmate.
In the mood for pizza, I walk down the block to Old Town Pizza. I’ll just order something and take it home so that I can sit outside on my little patio and enjoy the evening. I think I even have some white wine that I haven’t opened yet.
Pushing inside the older restaurant—it’s been here since my parents were kids—I approach the counter and grin at Heather, the owner, as I relish in the scent of garlic and pizza.
“Polly.” Heather greets me with a smile. “What can I do for you?”
“I think I’ll place an order to take home.”
I hear the door open behind me, and when I glance back, I see that it’s Ryan and Jake, and every molecule in my body is now on high alert.
Why is this man so potent?
“Hey, Miss Polly,” Jake says with a shy smile.
“Hi, guys.” I look back at Ryan, who’s watching me with those steady hazel eyes. I know what it’s like to have those eyes watch me as I fall apart at the seams. I clear my throat and smile. “How are you two?”
“We’re great. Here for dinner. Want to join us?” Ryan asks, and Jake nods in agreement.
“Oh, I was just going to take something home.”
“Sit with us,” Jake urges me. “Eating alone is bad for the digestion.”
I can’t help the burst of laughter at that, and Ryan frowns at the boy. “Where do you come up with this stuff?”
“It’s science.”
“Right.” I nod at Jake. “Totally science. I don’t want to crash your party.”
“Please crash our party,” Ryan replies. “Come on, we’ll even let you pick the toppings.”
“Who could say no to that?” Heather, who’s been eavesdropping, asks. “Table for three, then?”
“Table for three,” I agree with a nod, and we follow her to a booth by the windows. “Thank you.”
“I’ll be back in a few to take your orders,” Heather replies with a wink, and then she’s bustling off again.
“Thanks for including me,” I say to the guys across from me as we get settled with our menus.
“How are things at the shop?” Ryan asks, closing his menu and setting it aside.
“Perfect.” I smile over at him. I can’t hold back, and I do a little dance in my seat. “It’s so beautiful, and every single thing is officially in place and ready for tomorrow.”
“That’s great,” he replies with a grin. “You work fast.”
“My employees came to help today. Not only wouldn’t they take no for an answer, but they wouldn’t let me pay them, either. They wanted to help out, and we had a lot of fun doing it. They’re so sweet. I’ll do something special for them this week.”
“Doesn’t Katie LaRoy work for you?” Jake asks.
“Yes, she does.” I tilt my head, watching as Jake’s cheeks darken. “Are you two friends?”
“Sort of.” Jake clears his throat and seems very relieved when we’re interrupted by Heather.
“Can I take your drink orders?” she asks.
“I’d love a glass of white wine. It doesn’t have to be fancy.”
“Good, because I don’t have fancy, but I do have white wine.” Heather winks at me and turns to the guys.
“I’ll also have white wine,” Jake says, and Ryan and I both gasp, making Jake laugh. “Your faces were priceless. Iced tea, please.”
Heather nods and turns to Ryan. “And for you?”
“Just water.”
“Okay, be right back.”
“I want to talk more about Katie,” I say and smirk when Jake frowns. “But first, what do you guys get on your pizza?”
“Everything,” Ryan says.
“Even anchovies?” I ask in disgust.
“No, they don’t serve them here,” Jake says. “But if they did, we would. Because we’re men.”