Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 70444 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70444 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
“What are you doing?” I turn toward her.
“Just reminiscing. We had some good times.”
“Do yourself a favor and don’t.”
She meets me with hooded eyes as I lift the last two boxes, then follows me to the door. “Hopefully, we can hang out before I leave. I’ll be here through the weekend.”
I don’t even respond. Just because she’s here doesn’t mean I have to be around her.
Before going to the inn, I stop by the bakery. They’re already closed for the day because it’s well after five, but I know they’re playing catch-up. As soon as I enter, my aunt spots me, then tries to escape to the kitchen.
“Nope!” I pick up my pace, following her. “Don’t you dare.”
My mom carries a tray of peanut brittle and smiles when she sees me.
“Why didn’t you tell me Aspen was the extra help coming?” I glower.
Aunt Paisley nervously laughs. “I’m sorry. I was going to tell you but never found the opportunity. You know how busy we’ve been—”
“I do, but I was caught off guard by her showing up.”
“You didn’t tell him?” Mom asks with her brow furrowed.
She shrugs. “I forgot. I’m really sorry, Finn.”
I huff but am unable to stay mad at her, especially when I know they’re swamped. “Nothing can be done about it now. I came to tell you both that Aspen thinks the painter and I are dating, so just go with it. Aspen also assumed she was staying at the cottage, so I just had to move every single box of Oakley’s out of there because Aspen had nowhere else to go.”
My aunt slaps her palm against her forehead. “I totally forgot to tell her she needed to find a place to stay. That’s my fault. I can text her and explain what happened, then offer our guest room.”
“No, what’s done is done, but let me make it very clear that Aspen and I are over. I don’t care how much you two like her. She’s engaged. I really hope this wasn’t some sort of sick matchmaking setup to try to get us back together.”
“It wasn’t, I swear. And we knew she was engaged. Her fiancé is driving here next weekend,” Paisley explains. “But why does she think you and Oakley are dating?”
“It’s a long story, but just go with it, please. I don’t want her in my business. I don’t want her knowing anything about my life. So if she mentions me, move the conversation to something else. She was the absolute last person on the planet I wanted to see this week. I’m already stressed without having to deal with her.”
“That’s quite the predicament you got yourself in, Finn,” my mother scolds. “We won’t lie for you, but we won’t offer any info. If she brings it up, we’ll tell her it’s none of her business.” Mom glares at her sister, who finally nods, and I imagine she’ll have a few choice things to say when I leave.
“Secret’s safe with us,” Paisley promises.
“Thank you. Now I have to get Oakley from the inn and bring her to my house. Because of Aspen staying at the cottage, I will have no alone time in my own home.”
Mom grins. “At least Oakley’s a nice girl. She seems very sweet and easy to talk to.” I nearly choke on my tongue.
“You both owe me big.” I check my watch, then head toward the door.
I already know I’m in over my head and am now stuck living with Oakley until she leaves. This has turned into a damn mess, and I’m not sure I’ll be able to clean it up.
CHAPTER FIVE
OAKLEY
Just as I take a huge bite of an apple scone, the door swings open, and Finn walks in wearing his signature scowl. Crumbs fall on my lap, and I quickly dust them off. As he heads toward me with his sleeves rolled to his forearms, I study him. Too bad he has a shitty attitude because he checks all the other boxes—tall, muscular and tan with a perfect smile that he hardly shows.
The way his ex looked at him piqued my curiosity, but it’s not like he’ll share with me what happened. A part of me feels bad that he had to load my things again, but he chose this when he picked me as his fake girlfriend.
“Did you eat dinner?” he asks.
“Not yet. Started with the pastries.” I smirk without admitting that I waited for him.
“Let’s grab some food, then we can head to my place and get you settled.”
“Okay.” I follow him to the kitchen, where his grandma serves each guest. She quickly makes us bowls of beef stew with a side of cornbread. We eat in silence as I scroll through all of the photos I’ve taken over the past couple of days.
The stew is delicious, and I’m appreciative of the hearty meal. I worked up an appetite arguing with Finn all day. He’s more tense than usual, and it’s no secret why.