Page 6 of Love Shots

Summer smiled at her friend’s outrage on her behalf. But it really wasn’t necessary.

“It’s fine, Lanes. Really.” She reached over to place a hand over Laney’s. “Yes, I loved my job, but the plan was always to come back here. Back to Bluestone. Permanently. I’m not gonna lie, Ben following me around and generally being a douchebag definitely made my decision to leave easier. And quicker. But I was always gonna come back.”

Her explanation seemed to calm her friend ... a little. That was until she had time to think up questions.

“But what are you gonna do here? And aren’t you gonna get bored? You’ve been traveling the world for ten years for God’s sake, and now what, you’re just gonna find a nine-to-five in small-town Montana? I know you, Summer, you’ll be bored shitless in a month.”

“Well ... I was planning on taking over Mickey’s, but Teddy royally screwed me over there. So, I need a new plan. But I’m not gonna stress about it now. Having a roof over my head and a job means that I can take my time and think about my next steps. And trust me when I tell you, I won’t be getting bored. Don’t get me wrong, I did love my job. But I’m not getting any younger, and living out of a backpack gets old. I want to plant some roots. Start the next chapter.”

Her friend eyed her for a moment. Obviously considering what to say next.

“Okay, girl, time for tequila.”

And just like that, Summer felt a million times better.

CHAPTER THREE

“Yeah?” Teddy answered impatiently, still trying to work out who on earth was calling him so late at night.

He was still at Mickey’s. It had been a long and busy day, and all he wanted to do was crawl into bed. But he had a feeling that wasn’t going to be happening anytime soon.

“Um, hey, Teddy?” a man’s voice he didn’t recognize replied.

“Who is this?”

“Oh, it’s Max.”

“Okay ...” Teddy asked slowly. He didn’t know Max all that well. Certainly not well enough for the man to be calling him at midnight. Was he going to hurry up and get to the point of his call or what?

“Right. So ... I’m calling about Summer.” At the mention of Summer, Teddy’s whole body went on high alert. “Her and Laney thought it would be a good idea to get shitfaced. And, um, well, they’re not in great shape, if the ice cream covering my kitchen floor is anything to go by.”

Teddy couldn’t help but smile as he pictured a drunk Summer. “So ... you need reinforcements or something?”

He heard the man on the other end of the line chuckle. “No, not exactly. Well, maybe. A drunk wife and two kids seem to be my tipping point. And Summer isn’t exactly okay to be left alone ... so I was hoping you could come get her? Make sure she’s okay tonight?”

“On my way.”

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