Page 126 of Loving You

“Umm, are you supposed to be here?” I ask in a teasing voice.

“We’ve been sneaking her in since the twins were two months old,” Brooke says.

“And here I thought you’ve been living this hectic life.”

“On every night but Tuesday.” Natalie smirks.

She gives me a hug.

“Okay, okay, we will talk romance books and all the things, but first, I need to be the one to bring this up … OH MY GOD, you’re dating Miles,” Brooke says and then claps. “I swear to god, I thought that man would never find someone.”

“I hate to admit that thought also crossed my mind, but way before I started seeing Hudson. Miles just always seemed so grumpy and set in his ways, but not anymore.”

The past two weeks with Miles … all I can do is smile.

I never would have ever put us here.

“Do you want to know my favorite part?” Sadie asks.

“What?” I ask when no one else does.

“It’s the way Hudson comes home at night and tells me about how Miles asked him to do this or that or when he tells me about something hedidwith Miles. Miles is making time for everyone in his family, and I know we have you to thank for that.”

“Oh, I don’t think I’m the reason for any of that.”

“I do,” Sadie argues. “You came to Lovers and changed hisworld. Whether it’s from helping make his life less stressful in the shop or making him relax at home, he’s different.”

If we’re comparing this to who he was or even who I was at the beginning of the summer, I think we’re both different.

“You guys didn’t give him enough credit.”

“I think,” Natalie cuts in, “that Quinn is going to defend Miles all night long, no matter what we say.”

“Yes, I will,” I say, and the girls laugh.

The conversation easily falls into romance books and how Mrs. Whittaker, the woman who sold Hudson and Sadie the space to expand the bar and open the bookstore, is secretly dating Bartley. Bartley has lived here his entire life and knows everything about everyone.

“Yes, Bartley told Mrs. W. that the marina has not been doing very well this summer and that if Shay can’t get things turned around soon, they might have to sell,” Sadie says with a frown. “I hate to gossip, but I really hope that isn’t the case. I have so many memories out there.”

“Even if it sells, it will have to stay a marina, right?” I ask.

Sadie shrugs. “Maybe. With that area, you really have a lot of options.”

“I hope Shay figures it out,” Brooke says as she tops off all our glasses with the last bottle of champagne. We’ve had three between the four of us, so it’s been a good night.

Why does the name Shay sound so familiar?

“Is this the same Shay that Luca doesn’t get along with?” I ask.

Sadie grins and taps her nose. “She’s really sweet. You’d like her.”

“You hang out with her?”

Sadie nods. “Don’t tell Luca. She’s normally here, but she said she was working late at the marina tonight, and now I guess we know why.”

Silence falls over us as we sit back and relax.

I can’t quite place it, but being here right now feels … right.

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