Page 7 of Burn With Me

“Perfect. I appreciate you,” I tell her as she starts to walk away. My phone vibrates on my desk. I look, and it’s Pam. “Sup, you hoebag?”

“Is that how to talk to your best friend who’s single-handedly saving your farmers’ market on Sunday?” she says, mock offended.

I chuckle. “Thank you, oh great one. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

“That’s better. At least someone around here respects how awesome I am,” she says. “Anyway, that’s why I’m calling. Sam’s going to confirm with Luke today that he can also help.”

I reach down to pet Penny. “You’re a beautiful saint. Tell Sam I owe them a beer.”

“You don’t owe him shit. He’s a dick and keeps trying to get me to go out with him so he can pick up women and then gets mad when I say he can’t bring them here because I don’t want to see or hear what he does,” she says.

I gag. “Ew, yeah, no. He slept through the female population of Boston, so he’s ready for some fresh women.” I sit up and lean back in my chair. “But for real, why would he think you want to hear that?”

“Probably because he’s delusional and he thinks it’s totally normal. Anyway, are you still coming over after work?”

“Yeah, I just have to finish up some paperwork while Kristen stages everything, so we can just load it all up Sunday morning before we head over. I’ll text you when I leave here. Toodles,” I say and hang up.

I put my phone in my desk drawer, which is probably not the best habit, especially when I’m here alone most nights, but if I have it in front of me, I’ll find an excuse to not finish the paperwork I know I have to do.

“All right, boss lady! I’m heading out. Don’t stay too late,” Kristen yells.

“Thank you! Have a good time!” I holler back before quickly getting through my to-do list.

By the time I wrap everything up, I’m sitting pretty for an easy load and setup on Sunday morning.

I put Penny on her bed in my office and do a quick walk through before locking up for the evening. Once I’m done, I go back to the office and get her so we can head over to Pam’s.

As I walk out to my Jeep, I wave when Abby drives by, likely on her way to the Atomic Diner. She works at the diner and is one of my friends. It’s funny to think back to how nervous I was about winning over the locals, but as soon as I explained what I was willing to do and that I wasn’t here to take over the farming market but to help it, I was welcomed, like I had lived here my whole life. As I start my car, the pride I feel makes my heart pitter-patter. Putting the car in reverse, I head down Main Street toward my house but go past my street and turn right toward Pam’s.

I was originally dreading this weekend when Kristen asked for the time off, but it’s turning out to be much less stressful than I thought it was going to be, and I couldn’t be happier.

Three

Luke

Ilet out a breath of relief as I pull into the Griffin Farm’s Bed-and-Breakfast, which will be my home for the next several days.

Turning my truck off, I close my eyes and rest my head on the headrest. I’m annoyed that my rental isn’t ready yet. In the city, everything was instant. I guess that’s something I’ll have to get used to. Moving blows, and several times during this drive, I questioned why I was doing it. But I knew it was time to start over. Between my parents retiring to Florida and my career at a standstill, there was nothing for me in Boston anymore.

Speaking of parents, I need to let them know I made it.

I grab my phone and send them a text.

Me: Just pulled up to the bed-and-breakfast. I’ll message tomorrow after I catch up on sleep.

Love you guys

I open the door, and my phone dings. I check it, thinking it’s my parents.

It isn’t.

Sam:SAVE ME

I want to ignore him, but he won’t stop until I answer. He wants me to stay with him at his sister’s house, but I just want to relax after this four-day drive. And relaxing is the last thing I’d be able to do at that house because Sam and his sister, Pam, are either fighting or playing pranks on each other.

Me: Save yourself, asshole. What harm could your sister be doing?

I grab my bag and smirk, knowing damn well that Pam is probably giving him hell right now. As an only child, I’m glad I don’t have to deal with a sibling, but I’m also envious of not having a built-in friend.

---