Page 46 of Wood You Knot

There was something grandmotherly about her, and I couldn’t refuse. I’d never had a grandmother—my mother’s parents had both passed away before I was born, and I’d never known my father or his side of the family.

I found myself ill-equipped to deal with the elderlies’ not-so-subtle demands, so I allowed the Hartley sisters to lead me to an empty table in the café. Dorothy pulled a chair out for me.

“So tell us. Are you excited for your date with Nix? He’s such a sweet boy. I’ve always liked him,” Alice said as she all but guided me into the chair.

I sat heavily, my gaze bouncing from Alice to Betty, and then to Dorothy as the three women sat down in their own chairs, expectant eyes on me. The sisters had a striking resemblance to one another, although they weren’t identical. Dorothy wore her white hair long and braided over her shoulder and Betty had short, dyed red hair. Alice kept her hair short too, but it was snow white like Dorothy’s.

“Um. Yes?”

“You don’t sound so sure, dear.” Dorothy frowned.

“No, I am…I’m just…not used to everyone knowing my business, I guess.”

“Oh, well. You’ll have to get used to that.” Alice laughed richly, her two sisters joining in.

“It’s true, we’re a bit nosey, but we mean well. We just want to see Nix happy—and you too, of course. But our Nix deserves to settle down with a good, loyal girl. He’s got so much love in him to give, and after what happened with Lori…”

“Who’s Lori?” The question left my lips before I could call it back. Alice, Dorothy, and Betty exchanged looks with one another, and Betty arched a brow. Alice nodded, and Dorothy seemed to shrug.

“His ex, dear,” Dorothy replied. “He was ready to propose to her, but he caught her…engaging with someone else, if you know what I mean.”

“Cheating,” Betty cut in.

Alice’s usually joyful expression twisted into one of disapproval. She clicked her tongue and shook her head ruefully.

“Ah. I see.” I could relate to that, and gauging by the knowing looks the sisters gave me, they knew it too.

“Such a shame, but really it was all for the better. I always knew that Lori wasn’t it for him,” Alice remarked, giving me an insightful look.

Chapter Sixteen

Nix

The workweek flew by, keeping me busy and distracted. It was a good thing too; I was so exhausted by the time I got home at night that I had very little opportunity to stress about Saturday night’s date with the girl of my dreams.

I still couldn’t believe she said yes. I hadn’t planned on asking her when I walked into the hardware store Monday morning, but…I don’t know. Maybe it was the way she’d reacted when our fingers had touched. Or maybe it was Parker’s grand speech about there never being an opportune time to make a move.

In that moment, it felt right, so I went with it.

Word had spread like wildfire that I’d asked Sage out, and she’d said yes. The whole town seemed invested in it. Even the Hartley sisters had caught up with me to congratulate me on growing some balls and making a move. Well, they didn’t exactly say it like that, but the pointed look Dorothy gave me said it all.

Now that it was Friday night, I was beginning to panic a little. I had a small idea on what I wanted to do, but I’d need Noah’s help to pull it off.

“So tell me again what you need from me?” Noah asked, leaning back in the booth and acting like his usual cocky self. Donavon and Parker were there, too, and I’d already endured the razzing from them about how great it was I finally worked up the courage to ask her out. They’d had no qualms using the phrase “grew a set.”

“Permission to use the private beach at the resort,” I replied.

“What for?” he poked, grinning wider. He was taking great pleasure out of this. Parker smirked, just as amused, while Donavon had the decency to look a little sympathetic.

“I was thinking a tailgate dinner while we watched the sunset, and the private beach is…more private.” The guys seemed impressed by my plan, exchanging looks of approval with one another and nodding like they thought it was a good idea.

I’d wanted to recreate that first missed kiss opportunity as well as I could, minus the Summer Vibes Festival. Unfortunately, the main beach was far too busy to pull this idea off, and I couldn’t very well drive my truck out onto it.

I could with the private beach at the Whimsical Woods Resort, though. Providing Noah felt charitable enough to loan me the keys to the gate.

Sometimes residents and tourists trespassed on the private beach, but they always waited for it to get dark so they wouldn’t get caught. Noah’s older brother, Damien Wood, didn’t exactly approve of people trespassing on their private beach. Not that he’d call the authorities, but he’s been known to chase people off himself in the past. That would put a damper on a first date…

The goal was to arrive an hour or so before sunset and set up blankets and pillows in the bed of my truck. Then we’d eat dinner—probably take-away, because I wasn’t the greatest cook, and I didn’t want to give her food poisoning—and just…hang out and talk.

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