Page 35 of Cross My Heart

“I’m going to record content for my business today so I can focus on the theater for the rest of the week. But I was wondering if you would agree to me filming it for my social media accounts?” Marley asked me.

I frowned. “What does the restoration have to do with your work? I thought you talked about business and coached budding entrepreneurs.”

Marley smiled. “This is my personal life. My followers love when I share it with them. And they’re absolutely fascinated by the inn and the Christmas tree farm.”

“I’m okay with it if you are. I can’t imagine it would cause any harm. In fact, it might drum up interest in the inn itself,” Fiona said thoughtfully.

I let out a breath, knowing that whatever Marley wanted, I’d give in to. “If you’re okay with it, I am. Just don’t want cameras interrupting the work.”

Marley held up a hand. “I’ll do the filming, and I’ll stay out of the way. I promise.”

I nodded my assent.

Marley grinned. “I have some work to do at home, but I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow.”

“You two have plans for the rest of the day?” Heath asked me and Fiona.

“I should probably start looking for a new job. But I’m much more interested in this project.” Fiona lifted the diagram of the theater for emphasis.

I felt a pang of unease that her visit would be drawing to an end soon. A sense of urgency flew through my blood.

“The family will host a walk-through of the holiday light display at the farm soon. We’ll have drinks and hang out around the fire. You should come and see it.”

Fiona raised a brow. “Are your brothers okay with a Calloway on site?”

“I’m sure Cole is planning to bring Daphne and Izzy.”

“Safety in numbers,” Fiona mumbled.

“Emmett’s all bluster,” Heath said as he gathered his things.

Fiona gestured at the illustrations. “Can you leave these? I’d like to take another look at them.”

“I can do that,” Heath said.

“Did you have a chance to check out the rest of the basement?” I asked Heath.

“I’m heading down there now. Marley’s excited about this project.” He gave me a pointed look.

“You want me to let her bankroll it.” That irritated me, because it should have been a matter between me and my business partner. But Heath was her significant other and the contractor. He had a say too.

Heath’s gaze was serious. “Marley wants to restore the inn. It’s not about money for her.”

I leaned back in my chair. “Don’t you think we should look at whether it’s a good investment? You don’t want to sink money into something that’s never going to generate a return.”

“Marley’s considered all the angles. Don’t forget it’s a tax write-off, and she thinks it will pay for itself over time. She’s looking to the future. If one of your kids wants to continue to run the place, it will be done. They won’t have the burden of renovating it themselves.”

I could appreciate that. “Kids is a long way off, isn’t it?”

He merely raised a brow. “That’s between me and your sister.”

I winced because at some point, Heath had moved from the role as my best friend to my sister’s fiancé. I should have been accustomed to the change, but I wasn’t.

“Look, I’m not trying to be an asshole—” Heath broke off.

“I get it. I’m just not ready for that myself.”

Heath shook his head, his lips curling into a smile. “You’d have to find a woman who could put up with you first.”

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