Page 100 of Friends Don't Kiss

I clear my throat. “Well, I could use some advice on something.”

“Yeah?” We ditch our shoes and coats as we enter the house. “Damn it smells good in here.”

“It’s for your friend, or the housekeeper.” I’m trying to find the right words to ask him my question.

He grunts.

“I only had enough apples for one pie.”

He chuckles. “What’s the advice you need?” He moves to the living room area to straighten the throw pillows, then moves to the chimney and starts sweeping the ashes.

I set my hands flat on the kitchen counter. “So… I’ve been looking for a place for my business?”

He glances at me. “Uh-huh.”

“And I saw the cutest place. Perfection.”

He straightens, his attention all on me, excitement showing on his features as I describe the Dewey’s barn to him.

“The only problem,” I say once he’s sitting on a barstool right next to me, “is that it needs a…”—what’s the name again?—“a variance.”

He grunts and makes a face.

“I’m not asking you to pull any strings or anything, I’m just asking if you think it’s doable. Like, what are my chances? How hard is it to get a variance? Anything I should be aware of?”

He rubs his face. “Didn’t it use to be a farm stand?”

Yes! Yes it did.Emma was right. Colton is exactly the person to talk to. He knows about these things. “Maddie—that’s the realtor—said something about using the owner’s Agricultural… Use?” I’m not sure about the verbiage anymore.

“Yeah, you’re not a farmer. That won’t stand. You said Maddie, right?”

I nod. “Maddie Parker.”

Something passes on his face. “Uh-huh. And the place is cute inside?” He draws me between his legs, his hands resting on my hips.

“Adorable.”

He brushes a strand of hair off my forehead. “Fit for a pastry shop?”

“More than enough.”

“Price is right?” The rough pad of his thumb grazes my earlobe.

“Price is too good to be true. That’s why I wonder about the whole permitting thing.”

He frowns. “You’re right. Let me look into it.”

The finality in his tone worries me a bit. “Colt, I’m not asking you to do anything about it, right? Just asking for advice. Youropinion.”

His gaze lights up, joy dancing in his eyes. “Sure.”

“I heard Justin loud and clear when you were appointed. No favors, okay?”

His eyebrows shoot up, mock disbelief painted on his face. “You heard that? Seemed to me you were very preoccupied with your dating app that day.”

Busted.“Yes I was. There was someone whose profile was… calling to me. Are you saying I shouldn’t have hearted onNigel?”

He boops my nose. “You’re cute, you know that?”

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