Page 19 of Eternal Hoptimist

“Tell that to your face. How’s your boyfriend doing?”

I winced internally. I hadn’t told the guys about our deal. As far as they knew, Parker and I were in contact because he was helping me with the Rosie situation. Not a lie but an obvious omission.

If I told them about the other half of the agreement, I knew they wouldn’t believe it was fake. They would tease me about being naïve and start placing bets on how long it would be until I convinced him to date me. With my track record? I couldn’t blame them.

“I don’t have a boyfriend, but if you’re inquiring about Parker, I guess he’s doing well. He’s swinging by later to talk about Rosie after having dinner with his family.”

Austin looked contrite. Guilt chased away any momentary smugness. The feeling lingered after he went back to work.

My phone buzzed again a while later. I hoped it was Parker again.

Mom:You need to talk some sense into Rosie. The developers came around again, and she hasn’t accepted their offer.

I dropped my face into my hand and tugged on my hair. I hated not being there to help in person. Thank god Parker would come by later to talk. I needed his ideas and expertise

Ethan:If she doesn’t want to sell, we shouldn’t push her into it.

Mom:She could retire to the South of France with what they’re offering. It’s ridiculous not to.

Ethan:The place is sentimental for her

Not that I expected my mom to understand. My family cared more about money and status than about sentiment and memories. I was the only one on Rosie’s side. To cheer myself up, I called Rosie.

“Ethan, sweetheart, how are you?”

I smiled at her voice. “Doing good, Rosie. How are you?”

“Still kicking. How are my boys?”

She’d never met Austin, Ty, and Dom, but she always asked about them like they were part of the family. I’d always wanted to take them back to Kansas with me, but it never worked out. I caught her up on everything going on with the brewery.

“Still causing trouble. It’s a full-time job wrangling those jokers.”

Rosie laughed. “Now, why do I have the feeling they’d say the same about you?”

I gasped. “I don’t know what you’re insinuating.”

For the next few minutes, I covered the highlights of my life—basically the brewery—and she told me about the latest drama in her bridge club. That shit was cutthroat.

Eventually, the conversation shifted to her house situation. “I’ve been talking to a real estate attorney who’s going to give me some advice. He can’t practice in Kansas, but I think he’ll have some helpful ideas for us. Mom mentioned they made you another offer.”

“They did. It’s even higher.”

I whistled when she read the number. “They’re getting desperate.”

“Certainly are. Honey, you don’t need to talk to a lawyer for me. I can take care of it.”

I refused to let her pride get the best of her. “He’s a friend, Rosie. Don’t worry. I’m not spending money.”

“Okay. That’s good. Oh, Gretchen just arrived to take me to Bingo. Talk to you soon, honey.”

I didn’t have time to dwell on her situation because Seth texted that he needed help out front.Back to work.

CHAPTER 7

PARKER

“Dinner was delicious. Thanks, Mom.”I relaxed into the high-backed, wooden dining room chair that had been in my parents’ home for as long as I could remember.

---