Total pages in book: 152
Estimated words: 145574 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 728(@200wpm)___ 582(@250wpm)___ 485(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145574 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 728(@200wpm)___ 582(@250wpm)___ 485(@300wpm)
Hazel gawked at me.
“Would you please say something?” I asked when the silence became painfully awkward.
“Right. Sorry.” She shook her head and glanced at the kids.
“Relax, they aren’t going anywhere.”
“You have no idea how fast they move. I swear I clocked Dani at a three-minute mile yesterday.” She crossed her legs and studied me. “So, the hottie is next door.”
“The writer is…well, if you can even call the cottage ‘next door.’” It was basically on the property—that’s how close it was, which was one of the reasons Gran had never sold it. She said it was better to pick and choose your neighbors than get saddled with a nosy Nellie.
Hazel’s eyes narrowed.
“In fact, he’s supposed to be here any minute so we can get down to the super fun business of arguing. He literally moved here so he could argue with me. Who does that?” I took another sip of my coffee.
“Someone who recognizes you for the stubborn—”
“Hey now,” I warned.
“You know it’s true. If anything, he gets points for getting on a plane instead of hitting redial.” She shrugged. “Plus, it makes my earlier suggestion of working out your frustration with him on him easier.”
Traitor.
“Whose side are you on?”
“Yours. Always yours. I didn’t even add the man to my hall pass.”
“Good. Then he doesn’t get points. There are no points to be had.” I finished off my coffee and took the mug to the sink. When I turned around, Hazel’s head was tilted as she studied me. “What?”
“You like him.” She sipped her coffee.
“I’m s-sorry?” I sputtered, my stomach twisting.
“I said what I said.”
“Take it back!” I snapped, like we were seven years old again.
“You’re wearing real clothes. Jeans, a shirt you had to iron, and your hair is down. You like him.” A smile spread across her face.
“I’m starting to regret letting you through the door.” My phone buzzed, and I snatched it from the counter before Hazel could see the screen. It was a text message from Noah.
Noah: Headed up. Need anything?
It would have been childish to respond that I needed him to take his gorgeous, insistent ass back to New York. I thought about doing it, anyway.
“I do not like him,” I fired back at Hazel, then tapped out a text message.
Georgia: Come on in. The door is unlocked.
“And he’s on his way,” I added, leaning my hip against the counter. Just because I’d woken up and felt…human didn’t mean I liked him. It meant I was preparing for a business meeting. My phone buzzed again.
“Kids, we need to pack it up. Aunt Georgia has a friend coming over,” Hazel called over to Oliver and Dani.
Noah: You can’t just leave your doors unlocked. It’s not safe.
I scoffed. Unsafe, my ass.
Georgia: Says the man who climbs mountains.
I set my phone on the counter and sighed at my best friend. “I don’t like him,” I repeated.
“All right,” she said with a soft nod, taking her coffee mug to the sink. “But you need to know that it’s okay if you do.”
I flinched. It wasn’t, though.
“Give it back!” Oliver wailed.
“It’s mine!” Danielle shrieked.
Both Hazel and I spun, but Danielle raced right past us, Oliver on her heels.
“For fuck’s sake,” Hazel muttered to the heavens, already moving.
“You cannot leave your door—oomph!” Noah’s voice bellowed from the entry.
Before we could make it out of the kitchen, Noah was already rounding the corner, a giggling kid under each arm. I didn’t notice the sheer size of those biceps. Nope. I didn’t. I also didn’t pay attention to the curve of his mouth or the straight-up sex appeal in his smile. It was inhuman to look that good this early in the morning.
“See what happens when you leave your door unlocked?” he asked, bouncing the kids slightly. “All sorts of wild creatures get in.”
Dani roared, which only made Noah smile wider.
No. No. No. No melting, no sighing, nothing. Nada.
“Hey, you’re not supposed to be nice to strangers,” I groaned.
“Isn’t he your friend, Aunt Georgia?” Oliver argued.
Lord save me from small towns. The kids hadn’t ever met a stranger.
“Yeah, Aunt Georgia, are you saying we’re not friends?” Noah challenged with mockingly wide eyes. I rolled mine as he set the kids on their feet and offered his hand out to Hazel. “Hi. Noah Morelli. I’m guessing the cute kids are yours.” He laid the charm on thick, and it worked, given Hazel’s grin.
He gave her his real name.
“Hi, Noah. I’m Hazel, Georgia’s best friend.” She shook his hand and let go. “You’re good with kids.” Her eyebrows lifted.
“Only thanks to my sister. Best friend, huh?” He shot me a devious smile. “The one with the articles?”
Kill me right now.
“Guilty.” Her grin only widened.
“So, can you give me tips on getting a word in edgewise with that one?” He motioned toward me.
“Oh sure! You just have to let her—” She caught my glare and straightened her spine. “Sorry, no-points Noah, I’m team Georgia. Kids, we have to go right now.” Sorry, she mouthed at me as she hurried to the kids in the breakfast room.