Page 4 of Starlight Bay

“Seven, six, five…”

“No. And I don’t, but like I said, I’m making changes.”

“One hundred and fifty dollars?”

“Four, three, two…”

“Still no.”

“Two hundred dollars. Final offer. Take it or leave it.” Logan thrust his hand in my direction and I shook it.

“Fine, deal. Now shut the hell up.”

“One. Happy New Year!”

Logan smashed his lips onto Rachel’s and she gamely kissed him back, proving she was as intoxicated as him. I shoved my hands in my pocket and looked the other way, trying hard to ignore the sloppy slurping noises.

After a full minute, I tapped him on the shoulder. “Hate to interrupt, but it’s 12:01, Cinderella, and your chariot’s about to turn into a pumpkin. Let’s go.”

Rachel untangled herself from Logan and gave him an awkward little wave. “Call me,” she mouthed, then scooted off to find her friends.

“Dude, you’re a real cock block,” Logan said, grumbling.

“Yeah, that’s me.” I steered him towards the door so we could walk the two blocks back to my house and crash.

“But you’re a cock block that’s gonna owe me two hundred dollars soon, so I guess I can’t complain.” He chuckled at his own joke and I shook my head.

See? Not funny at all.

CHAPTER 3

JACKSON

So far, my year was on the right track. True, I was only two days in, but I couldn’t complain. I eased into a parking spot right in front of Town Hall, gathering the paperwork I needed for the Bennett’s permit. Another perk of Starlight Bay: primo non-parallel parking. If I were still in Boston, I’d be circling for an hour trying to score a spot. Here, I practically had one reserved.

I locked my truck and climbed up the wide marble steps. Even though Starlight Bay was a small town, a stately Town Hall flanked the town square.

“Hey, Jackson.” The security guard waved to me over his bagel.

“Morning, Smitty. Happy New Year.”

“To you, too. Who do ya think is going to win tonight, Boston or Buffalo?”

“Really, Smitty, you’d even ask?” I shook my head, grinning. “Boston all the way.”

He chuckled. “Thought you’d say that. Buffalo’s been looking good, though. They’re a team to watch.” He brandished his bagel at me.

“We could be up against them in the playoffs. I wouldn’t doubt that.”

“I think so. Alright, you have a good day now.” Smitty sat back down, took another bite of his breakfast, and went back to reading the newspaper.

“Good to see you, Smitty.” I shot him a salute, then headed down the corridor towards the permit office, my footsteps echoing on the polished marble floors.

Still early, I was one of the few people in the building, which meant I secured all the necessary rubber stamps of approval on the Bennett project in record time. At this rate, I had time to grab a coffee on my way over to the Bennetts.

“Bye, Smitty.” I nodded to the guard as I pushed through the tall doors of Town Hall, cold air blasting my face. Tucking the plans under my arm, I shrugged lower in my coat, trying to shield my face from the wind.

“Oof.” A petite blonde I didn’t recognize plowed straight into my chest, knocking the plans out from under my arm. The papers hit the ground, blowing back towards the building. I lunged after them, rescuing the paperwork before it flew all the way to the bay.

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