Page 53 of (Un)Expected

“Everly, the barclosesat 10:30.”

She groaned, dropping her head back. “I don’t understand why you chose to live here. It’s like the entire world shuts down after the sun sets.”

That’s precisely what it was like around here, but I wasn’t about to argue with her, not when she looked so defeated. “How about this,” I said. “We’ll grab a drink at Paddy’s Wake, and then we can have a bottle of wine at my place.” Everly beamed back at me. “Do you mind if I invite a couple of friends to join us?”

“The more the merrier,” she cheered. “Just make sure they’re up for a good time. I’ve spent the whole day playing a woman pining for a guy who doesn’t want her, and that shit is depressing as fuck. I need to have some fun to shake it off.”

I smirked to myself. I knew exactly how she felt.

TWENTY-TWO

“And then I told that disgusting fuck if he tried to touch me with his teeny-weeny again, I’d cut it off and blend it into a smoothie.”

Javi and Calla almost fell off my couch in laughter as I sat there in disbelief at Everly’s story. I shook my head, unable to hold back a smile of my own. “I’m guessing you didn’t get the part.”

“Nope,” she grinned. “But after that audition, I got a call for an even bigger movie, and we blew his out of the water.”

“I think you’re my hero,” Calla called out, wiping tears from her eyes.

Though I was nervous about how tonight would go, Everly was an easy addition to our group. She gave great advice to Calla, commiserated with Javier about being the eldest child, and even took a moment to review some of the properties I’d found.

Overall, it was one of the best nights I’d had in a while.

Everly pointed at Calla. “Are you single?” She smirked at Javi. “I already know this one is married. He’s got that happiness glow that only comes from true love.” She plopped down on the couch next to Calla. “But you…I can’t put my finger on.”

“Oh, I am definitely single,” Calla said.

“Happilysingle?”

“Most of the time,” Calla answered honestly. “I’m satisfied by myself.” All of us turned to look at her with smug smiles, and she buried her face in her hands. “Get your minds out of the gutter; I didn’t mean like that! I meant that I have too much to deal with as it is. I can’t even imagine adding someone else to the mix. Maybe when I’m more settled, I’ll try dating, but for now, I’m putting myself first.”

“Damn straight,” Everly said, tipping her glass to Calla’s. “My last girlfriend tried to force me to choose between her and an acting job. I didn’t want to be with someone who put me in a position like that. As I always say, choose you.”

Javi nodded in agreement as Calla stared back at her with wide-eyed wonder. I chewed on my lower lip, taking her words to heart. When was the last time I chose me? When I moved here? That was more an act of self-preservation than a proper choice.

Looking at the printouts of different vacant properties scattered all over my coffee table, I felt that same twinge of excitement. Opening an inn might not have been my forever dream, but it quickly became my newest one. If I could take everything I’d learned at the Isadora and turn it into a career I loved, maybe my time there would have been worth it.

Javi peered over my shoulder. “Which one are you leaning toward?”

“The cheapest one,” I answered honestly. “If I scrape together all my savings, I should have enough to cover most of the down payment, but I’ll need a lot more capital once I start the renovations.”

Adam’s payment for my fake-dating services would hopefully be enough to cover those expenses, but I kept that thought to myself.

“You should look for investors,” Everly said, sitting across from me on the floor. “I’ve contributed to some low-income housing projects back home. You could get plenty of people interested if you market it right.”

My brow tightened. It was sage advice, but the idea of handing off a piece of my dream, even a brand new one, created a knot inthe back of my throat. I’d heard enough of the ramblings of the board at work to know that I didn’t want that life. I didn’t want to have to answer other people about my property.

“Oh! Oh!” She clapped her hands together. “You should ask Adam! I bet he’d love to help you out.”

He already was.

But she couldn’t know that, so instead, I offered her an uneasy smile. “I don’t want to ask him. Wejuststarted dating. I don’t want him to think I’m using him for his money.”

I didn’t have to turn to know Calla’s eyes were drilling holes into the back of my head. She’d tried to get me alone multiple times tonight to figure out what was happening between Adam and me; luckily, I’d managed to evade her so far.

“I guess that’s a good point.” Everly pouted, deep in thought for several seconds before she snapped her fingers. “I know! Marry him, and then all his money will be your money too. Problem solved.”

Javi’s wine came flying out of his nose.

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