Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
“And how do you know that?” I asked, laughing.
He winked. “Macy told me. She said Millie hasn’t been able to stop talking about it. She’s super excited. Did she talk to you about the birthday cake?”
“Me?”
“Yeah, she was going to ask you if you would be able to do the cake.”
“Me?”
Kian laughed. “Yes, you.”
I blinked a few times in confusion. “Why wouldn’t she ask Opal to do it?”
He shrugged and took another drink of his beer. “She said Opal suggested you do it.”
“She did?”
Kian set his beer down. “Are you going to only ask questions?”
I felt my cheeks heat. “It’s just…that is an honor to be entrusted to do Millie’s birthday cake. I hope Opal didn’t insist on it and forced Macy into it.”
“Trust me,” Kian said, taking my hand and pulling me to him. “No one can force my sister into doing anything she doesn’t want to do.”
With a giggle, I replied, “I bet not.”
Kian leaned down and kissed me softly before resting his forehead to mine. “You survived my parents.”
“It wasn’t that bad. Although, I don’t think your mother likes me.”
He rolled his eyes. “Who gives a shit. My mother would only like you if you came from a wealthy family with a six-bedroom apartment in Manhattan.”
I raised my brows. “That’s the thing…I do come from a wealthy family. And that big home might not be in Manhattan, but does Italy count?”
I laughed. “She doesn’t know any of that, though.”
When he smiled, my stomach dipped. “Let’s keep that another secret in this family. Make love to me, Kian?”
When he reached down and scooped me up, I laughed.
“You don’t have to ask me twice.”
Kian
“Kian! Kian!”
I’d seen Betty Lou as soon as I walked out of the Timeless Cup Coffee shop. The only problem was, she had seen me as well.
“Kian!”
I rolled my eyes and tried to decide if I should speed up and ignore her, or just get it over with. When I saw Jayme walking toward me, though, my decision was made. I’d spent enough time around my ex from high school when I first met Cadie. Turning, I smiled at the older woman. She might be the town gossip, but at least she wasn’t Jayme, and that was all I cared about.
“Betty Lou, how are you doing?” I asked as I walked toward her. She leaned against the brick building of the coffee shop and dragged in a few breaths.
“I thought I was going to have to run to catch up to you.”
“Sorry, I didn’t hear you,” I said with a fake smile.
Jayme walked by and stopped. “What a pleasant surprise to see you, Kian.”
I raised a brow. “Really? I’ve been back home for a while now and you saw me at the bakery my first day home.”
Her cheeks turned red, and I had a strong sensation it was out of anger and not embarrassment. “Right, well, it’s good seeing you…again.”
Her eyes darted over to Betty Lou, who was still trying to catch her breath. “So are you going to the Moose Jam Festival—”
“With Cadie!” Betty Lou quickly added, causing Jayme to shoot her a dirty look. “Really, Betty Lou?”
I narrowed my eyes at both women. “Yes, I’ll be there.”
“With Cadie?” both women asked at the same time.
Was it possible that Jayme was striving to become the next town gossip and take Betty Lou down from her throne? I decided to have a bit of fun. After all, wasn’t being a writer all about procrastination anyway? Got words to write? Go get a coffee in town. Need to hit a goal count, stand and talk to the town gossips for a spell.
“Cadie?” I asked.
Jayme looked at Betty Lou who looked at me.
Letting out a sigh, Jayme focused on me once again. “Yes, Cadie.”
“Am I going to the festival with Cadie? Like, as in, a date?”
Betty Lou smiled. “Well, you are dating her, aren’t you?”
“I was going to ask that!” Jayme stated, her hands instantly going to her hips.
With a triumphant smile, Betty Lou replied, “You should ask faster, then.”
It was my turn to raise my brows. When both women focused their attention back on me, I had to bite back a laugh.
“So?” Jayme prompted.
“I’m sorry, what did you ask?”
She sighed. “Are you taking Cadie with you to the festival?”
“Cadie?” I asked again.
“For the love of all things,” Betty Lou said as she moved and pushed Jayme back some when she bumped into her shoulder. “Let me show you how it’s done.”
“Kian, are you taking your girlfriend, Cadie, who works at the bakery since it appears your mind is not working this morning, to the Moose Jam Festival. Inquiring minds want to know and I,” she glanced over her shoulder to Jayme, “have inquiring minds who are asking.”
I raised a brow. “Inquiring minds, huh?”
“Stop answering with a question!” Jayme cried out. It caused multiple people to turn and look at us.