Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
I slapped my forehead with my hand. “How stupid of me. I can’t keep up with all the chess pieces. Did you get my tickets? I’m not walking into that house without proof.”
He mumbled something that sounded strangely like “pain in my ass,” but I chose to ignore it.
“Yes, I have your tickets, and fine, I’m not going to argue with you. I’ll meet you there in twenty minutes.”
I glanced down to see what I was wearing. Jeans and a light blue sweater. The black flats I had on were comfortable and gave the outfit a little boost. I’d dressed a bit more casual since I was making arrangements most of the day. It would have to do, since I didn’t have time to run upstairs to my apartment and change.
“See you in twenty…don’t forget my tickets.”
Sean mumbled something else and then the line went silent. I couldn’t help it; I laughed. I had a feeling this was going to be amusing for me. If I could poke some fun at Sean and tease him for his crush on Caroline, only have to pretend to date him around his family, all the while knowing I had season tickets to my favorite football team, this fake dating thing would be worth it.
I shut all the lights off and headed toward the front door, where I flipped the sign to closed. After setting the alarm, I slipped out the back and made my way to my Subaru Outback. I loved this car. Almost as much as I loved the flower shop. It was my first big-girl purchase, or so I’d called it. I was twenty-seven at the time, and I bought it without any help from my parents.
I didn’t count the flower shop as a big-girl move. For one, I didn’t have to buy it. My mother gave it to me. Her mother had given it to her when it had come time for her to run it, so it felt like it was just part of my heritage. My car, though…that was all me.
“Hey, Harper!” Brystol Duggan called out. Brystol owned Memory Lane Toys, which was next door to my flower shop. Her grandfather had opened the toy store years ago when he was about my age. He gave it to his daughter, Brystol’s mother, who then gave it to Brystol. Businesses in Moose Village were definitely full of legacy.
“Hi, Bry! How’s it going?”
Brystol threw some boxes into the recycle bin. “It’s going. How are you? I heard you got back together with Sean.”
My mouth fell open. “Already, huh?”
She laughed. “I’m pretty sure as soon as Betty Lou left your shop, she came into the toy store to tell me the happy news.”
I rolled my eyes.
“But you don’t seem happy,” she said. She had a concerned look on her face, and that made me cherish our friendship more than ever.
“I’ll tell you and the girls all about it on Monday.”
Her mouth fell open. “You’re going to make me wait two whole days?”
Slipping into my car, I called out, “Bye, Bry!”
“You’re a terrible friend. I hope you know that!”
I shut the door and started my car. It wasn’t very nice of me, but I giggled. It would kill Brystol not knowing what was going on. I gave her ten minutes before she texted me and asked what the heck was happening.
I wasn’t even out of the alley before my phone buzzed and my car alerted me that I had a text from Brystol.
Laughing, I hit the screen to play the message.
“Brystol said, ‘You’re really going to leave me hanging like that? Well, I have news too, and I’m not telling you what it is.’ Would you like to reply?”
“No,” I said, laughing harder as I pulled out onto Main Street.
I pulled up to Sean’s parents’ house seconds after he did. His look of relief was almost comical. He got out of his car and motioned for me to hurry.
“Tickets?” I said, as I held out my hand.
Sean looked around as if we were making some clandestine exchange.
“For the love, just hand them over.”
He handed me an envelope, and I peered inside to find two season-pass tickets.
“Who are you going to go to the game with?”
“Me, myself, and I. I don’t need to go with anyone.”
“Then give one back. I’ll take it.”
I gave him a look that I’m sure said, Go fuck yourself.
“Like I would want to sit beside you while my beloved Giants are playing? No, thank you.”
The sound of a car approaching from behind caused Sean to grab me, pull me close, and plant his lips on mine. I was so shocked, I just stood there, frozen.
“Kiss me back,” he mumbled against my lips.
Instead, I placed my hands on his chest and pushed him away. I wiped my mouth and glared. “Let’s set some ground rules.”