Page 19 of Single Chance

“You’re sweet,” I told Chloe, “but the whole point of tonight is formeto thank the two of you. Without you, I’d be sleeping in my car and working in food service, which I’ve proven in the past is not my strength.”

“I’m thrilled it’s working out,” Presley said. “But you’re not treating. You’re saving every penny. I’ve got this one.”

“We’ll see,” Chloe said, grinning.

Technically she was part owner of this place. She had connections and maybe even a sign-in to the customer billing system.

If I didn’t end up paying tonight, I’d find a different way to thank them.

“So you’ve known each other since middle school, right?” Chloe asked.

“I was in middle school,” Presley said. “Rowan was younger.”

“Presley was my babysitter. I met her when I moved in with my grandparents.”

“They lived next door to us,” she added. “They were special people. I used to hang out with her grandmother even before Rowan came to live with them. That woman taught me how to bake cookies.”

“Gram made the best chocolate chip,” I said with conviction.

“That’s the truth. Somehow mine were never as good, even though I followed her recipe,” Presley said.

“Same,” I said. “Anyway, there’s six years between us, so Presley was always more like an older sister or cousin. I hadn’t seen her since my college graduation party. I was so glad to see her at Gram’s funeral.”

“I wouldn’t miss it,” Presley said. “I loved that woman like she was my own grandma.”

My eyes filled with tears. “Presley insisted on a lunch date so we could catch up. That’s when she thought of connecting you and me.”

“Genius idea, my friend,” Chloe said to her bestie. As I understood it, they’d met in college and clicked.

Our server, Bria, came by and took Presley’s merlot order and our dinner orders, then hurried off.

“You look fancy tonight, Pres. Did you come straight from the office?” Chloe asked.

Presley wore a cropped gray blazer over a navy blouse and tailored pants. She’d paired it all with some awe-inspiring platform stilettos I could never handle for a full workday.

“I worked from home today,” Presley replied, “but I had an important thing this afternoon.” Her blue eyes sparkled with excitement. “It’s why I’m late.”

“What kind of thing?” Chloe asked.

“I put an offer on a house.” Presley clasped her hands together in front of her mouth, as if holding in her excitement.

“You’re buying ahouse?” Chloe asked, leaning on the table.

“Ifthe offer is accepted.”

“Where is this house?” Chloe asked.

Presley leaned a little closer, her voice going quieter. “Here in Dragonfly Lake. Lakefront.”

Chloe tilted her head, as if trying to figure out where that could be.

“So you’re moving here?” I asked. I’d like nothing more than to get to know Presley better as an adult.

“Maybe eventually.” Presley took her win from the server, then took a sip. “I might rent it out to vacationers or use it myself on weekends. But first it needs some work.”

“Where’s the house?” Chloe asked. “I don’t pay close attention, but I know when Emerson was looking before the holidays, there was almost nothing on the market.”

“Officially the listing goes live tomorrow.” Presley set her glass on the table.

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