“My old clothes,” she says, tugging on one bag. “You gonna help? Or is this little old lady going to pop a vein trying to get them out?”

I easily hoist one large bag out, then the other.

“Been donating clothes to Regan’s shop for years. Makes me feel like I’m giving back in some way, you know?”

When I eye her like she’s crazy, she adds, “You been living under a rock, Lucas Montana? How do you think she runs this shop? People donate clothes. She gives what she can’t sell to Goodwill. And at the end of every month, she donates ten percent of her profits to the women’s and children’s shelter.”

“Is that so?”

She holds open the front door of the shop for me. “Thought you would have already known that, seeing as you’re a businessman and all.”

“I don’t really get into other people’s business.”

I drop the bags next to the pile of clothes behind the counter, thinking now that maybe those are the clothes she can’t sell and will be taking to Goodwill.

Rose perches herself against the back of one of the chairs in the grouping. “But you’d like to get intohers, isn’t that right?”

The door chimes again. Rose is still staring me down like she’s coming up with some sinister plan. Plan for what, I have no idea—to kick me out, or finally get me married off? Most likely something in between.

I turn to find Regan bounding through the front door. “Sorry, sorry. I had to go fill an order at Gigi’s for Kyla Simon’s bridal shower.”

I glance around, this whole time thinking she was upstairs in the bathroom or grabbing a bite to eat. “You just left your store? Unattended and unlocked? There’s cash sitting on the counter.”

“I'm sorry, are you new to Calloway Creek?” She rolls her eyes at me, unimpressed and like I didn’t have my dick inside her just five days ago.

“Hi, Rose.” She gives the elderly woman a hug. “Have you met your great-grandson yet? I can’t wait to see him.”

Rose’s face beams. “Came from there an hour ago. The tot looks just like me.” She models her face from side to side as Regan giggles.

Damn, that giggle. It does something to my insides.

“Thank you for helping with the flower order, dear,” Rose says. “I’ll be filling in for Maddie on a limited basis while she’s indisposed. Gigi will help, too. But it’s nice to know we can fall back on you and Ava in a pinch.”

“You know you can. I just love how everyone on this street helps each other out. I even heard Mrs. Truman offered to take a few shifts. I’d even bet old Monty would do it if he weren’t already working eighty-hour weeks.”

“Be careful who you call old, dear. Monty Langston is only five years my senior. Did you know he tried to court me back in the day? He’d come in and buy me flowers right from my own shop.”

“I didn’t know that. Poor guy lost his chance with an amazing woman.”

Rose snickers. “I suppose I was saving myself for the old fart I ended up with.”

Regan raises a scolding brow.

“I have the right to use the term, dear. I’ve earned it with every damn wrinkle.”

“That you have.” Regan smiles, her deep cheek dimples making an appearance.

Rose turns and eyes me up and down. “Maybe you could get this strapping lad to man your shop while you go meet the newest Calloway.”

Regan laughs and I try to ignore how my body reacts. “No worries,” she says. “I’ll be closing up soon and heading on over. Wednesdays are slow anyway.”

As she and Rose have a conversation, I take in Regan’s choice of attire. Granted I don’t see much of her—I spend mostof my days at the winery and only come to The Circle when socializing—but I’ve never seen her wear the same thing twice. And the reason I know this is that all her outfits are a bit… outrageous.

Today, she’s sporting a leopard-print leotard paired with a black sweater emblazoned with the word PINK in silver glitter. I’d roll my eyes, but for some reason—same as her giggle—the carefree way she carries herself hits me somewhere in the pit of my stomach. Or maybe it’s in my groin.

“Well,” Rose says, looking over Regan’s shoulder at me, “I’ll leave you two to your business. Mr. Montana was interested in buying a book, I believe.” She winks at me, then she’s through the front door, making it chime, before I even say goodbye.

I quickly grab a book from the shelf behind me and pretend to read the back cover.