Page 114 of Somewhere You Belong

McKenzie chuckles, and then licks her lips, fighting a knowing grin. “Oh, never mind. We’d better keep looking, babe.” She taps her husband’s shoulder.

Dylan turns to her from the kitchen where he was scoping out the storage in the cabinets. “What? Why?”

“This place isn’t really for sale.” She looks at me, arching her brow. “And I just got a book idea, so I need to grab my notebook and jot it down before I forget.”

“Is that true, Willow?” Pam asks me, stepping closer to me now.

“Honestly, Pam, I haven’t made up my mind, but I know I wouldn’t feel comfortable accepting an offer without knowing one hundred percent that’s what I want.”

Pam grins and then clutches her clipboard to her chest. “Well, that’s a shame because I know this place would sell easily, but I can’t blame you. Carrington Cove will suck you in and bury itself in your heart.” Her eyes dart out the front window for a moment and then back to me. “And so will handsome restaurant owners.”

I lower my eyes to the floor, not needing her to read me even more.

“Sorry to waste your time, you two,” she says to Dylan and McKenzie as they head for the front door.

“Not a waste of time at all. Like I said, I just got an idea for a book. You never know where inspiration will strike.” Then she turns back to me and says, “I hope you figure out what you want, Willow. And when you do, trust your gut and your heart. The two together will very rarely steer you wrong.”

***

“It’s been a while. I was beginning to think you were avoiding me.” Shauna stares through the screen on our video call, holding Hudson to her chest.

“No, it’s just been a busy few weeks. But right now, I really need your words of encouragement.”

“Why? What’s happening?”

“I’m having dinner with Dallas’s family tonight.”

Her eyes nearly pop out of their sockets. “Holy shit.”

“Yeah. I’m freaking out, Shauna.”

“Why? You’re good with people, Willow.”

“I’m good withclients, not people that are related to the man I’m sleeping with. I’ve never met a boyfriend’s parents before. You know that.”

It’s sad to admit as a thirty-four-year-old woman, but it’s the truth. Work has been my focus for the past ten years, not love.

“Does that mean Dallas is your boyfriend?” She nearly leaps off her couch. “Dear God, Willow. What the heck has been happening down there and why haven’t you told me any of this?”

“Because I’m falling for this man and it’s scaring the shit out of me,” I admit on a whisper, clutching my robe around my chest. My hair and makeup are done, I’m just waiting to get dressed before Dallas picks me up.

“Jesus, Willow,” Shauna breathes, patting Hudson on the back. “This is huge.”

“I know, and I want a life with him, but…”

“He still doesn’t know about his dad,” she finishes for me.

“Or his mom.”

“What? Something happened with his mom?”

“That’s what I wanted to tell you the last time we talked. She was my unexpected visitor the night of the veterans’ dinner!”

God, it feels good to finally get that off my chest.

She blinks at me several times. “And you didn’t think to call me back and try again? Holy shit!”

“Shauna, my life has been crazy these past few weeks, okay? I’m sorry, but now I’m at a crossroads and I need your advice.”

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