Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75408 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75408 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
When you first walked into the store, the check-out counter was on the left wall. I used different pieces of vintage furniture throughout to display clothes and other items for sale. I had a beautiful baby blue armoire where I displayed scarfs and other accessories. I’d picked up the large vintage table where I displayed sale items at an estate sale not that long ago. To me, it was boring to walk into a store and see the usual racks of clothes.
A large, beautiful white rug sat in the middle of the store and added a touch of warmth. On the wall opposite the check-out counter were two dressing rooms. Toward the back were a few steps that led to a small seating area and more storage. There was also a cute little loft that I wanted to do something fun with at some point. I hadn’t had any great ideas for it yet, which was a good thing because my budget was stretched thin these days.
Finally, there was a large stockroom, my office, and a full bathroom. The theme throughout was coastal chic, hence the name of the shop.
Brody’s voice broke through my thoughts. “Looks like the fuse blew. I can swing by and pick up a new one. Your toilet is running as well.”
“Yeah, I’ve got that on my list of things to fix.”
“I’ll pick up a new float. I tried adjusting it, but I think it’s best to replace it.”
I wiped my mouth and placed the napkin back in the cardboard box that contained the other half of my sandwich. “I feel like I’m totally taking advantage of you…but can we add something else to your list?”
He laughed. “What else do you need?”
“Well, there’s a plug in my office that’s never worked.”
He nodded and pulled out his phone to start making notes. “I’m going to head to the store. If you think of anything else, text me.”
I followed him to the door. “You may have opened Pandora’s box. There are too many little things around here that need to be repaired.”
Brody stopped, turning to face me. “Did that asshat you married ever do anything?”
I looked over my shoulder at the store. “No. He never really wanted anything to do with Coastal Chic,” I said before focusing back on Brody. “He said it was my little pet project.”
His brows shot up. “Pet project? What the fuck was wrong with that guy?”
Laughing, I replied, “Everything.”
With a shake of his head, Brody continued out the door. I watched him walk to his truck and climb in. I pressed my hand to my stomach, drawing in a deep breath to settle the flutters there.
“He’s a friend who’s helping me out. It doesn’t mean anything,” I told myself.
It was the mantra I’d been repeating for the last couple of months. Brody had helped me with the house so much, fixing countless things. He’s painted, installed new floors, helped when furniture was delivered. And all the while, I’d been fighting the same attraction that had been there for as long as I could remember.
I smiled as I thought about how he’d even helped me stencil a saying along the top wall of my dining room. He’d been spending nearly every weeknight evening at my house, and some Saturdays as well. I was starting to get used to him being there—and that was something I had to put a stop to. I didn’t need Brody coming to my rescue every time something went wrong. And if I missed another Saturday lunch with Harlee and my sister, they’d start asking questions. That was the last thing I wanted.
Once he drove off, I turned and headed back to my lunch. I stared at my sandwich and mumbled, “You may not need him, Sutton. But you certainly want him.”
The bell above the door rang, and I quickly turned around. I let out an anxious breath when a customer walked in.
“Hi! Welcome to Coastal Chic,” I said, putting my lunch under the counter. Two more women walked in, and as I helped my customers select outfits for an upcoming boat party, I forgot all about Brody.
At least for now.
Two months later - August
I stood in my office, took a deep breath, and then exhaled. Life had been going great lately, so I should have known something bad would happen.
My older sister Addie had moved back to Seaside from Boston. She and Gannon were officially back together. My parents were over the moon, and my father was doing amazingly well. His heart attack earlier this year had really scared all of us and was one of the main reasons Addie had come back home. Well, that and the fact that Gannon was out of the Navy and had been home for a couple of years. Their story was a romance novel in the making. After all these years, fate had brought the two of them back together.