Page 34 of Falling for the Guy Next Door

“I’m just heading to the worksite, Mom. I’ll do some brainstorming but no promises. How is therapy going?”

“That guy is brutal, but I have to admit, I feel a little better.”

“That’s good to hear. Tell Becky I’ll talk to her later. I don’t want to be late for work.”

“All right, baby. Love you.”

“Love you, too, Mom.”

I’d considered stopping at the bakery for a pastry (and to see Layla, if I was being honest with myself), but the phone call had thrown off my time. A stop at the bakery would make me late, and while the foreman was cool about breaks and safety, he was a stickler about clocking in on time.

Twenty minutes later I pulled up to the worksite. A few of the guys were taking off hardhats and safety vests. An official-looking county truck was parked at the entrance to the site, and three electrician trucks were parked just past it. The supervisor, Brian, was wearing a frown that nearly touched his toes.

I pulled the truck up to Sam and rolled down my window. “What’s going on?’

“Electricians have the site for the day. There were some problems with the original designs that the inspector caught, so we’ve got the day off. Guess it’s not so bad since it’s Friday. Long weekend.”

“And a smaller paycheck,” I reminded him. I turned the truck around and headed back to Whisper Cove. I’d had only cereal for breakfast, so I decided to head back to town and check out the café. I could have gone to the bakery, but my morning had started out badly, and I wasn’t sure it was going to help my mood seeing Layla, beautiful and amazing, behind the counter and knowing that we were never going to be more than neighbors.

It was far easier than I expected to pick out Layla’s sister from the three women working inside the café. She was beautiful with the same stunning copper hair and brown eyes. “Morning, welcome to Whisper Cove Café,” she said as she looked past me. “Just one?”

I glanced around the room. Most of the tables were filled, and the room buzzed with conversation. “Yes, I can sit at the counter.”

She had a great smile like Layla, but that seemed to be where the similarities ended. Layla had a much more carefree way about her. Her name tag said Aria. I decided to introduce myself.

“You’re one of the Lovely sisters,” I said.

She handed me a menu. “That’s right. Are you in town for the weekend?”

“Actually, I’m here for a few months. I’m Nash Ledger, and I’m renting the cottage next to your grandmother’s house, Audrey’s cottage.”

Her brown eyes rounded. “Our new neighbor. I heard there was a long-term renter at Audrey’s. Have you met my sisters yet?”

“I’ve met Layla. She’s been walking my dog while I’m at work, and Rocky is smitten.” I was, too, I thought wryly.

Aria laughed. “My baby sister has wanted a dog for most of her life.”

Right then, a very big, very tough looking man wrapped in a cook’s apron came out from the kitchen area. “We’re going to need more spinach. The bunches in the refrigerator are wilted.”

“Dex, this is Nash Ledger. He’s renting the cottage next to Nonna’s.”

I received a rather scrutinizing gaze from the man and then he nodded. “Nice to meet you. You’re the one with the dog.”

“That’s right. Rocky.”

Aria turned to him in surprise. “How did you know that?”

Dex shrugged. “Sometimes I’m included in group texts, and Isla, Layla and Ella were talking about Layla’s new furry friend.”

Aria put her hands on her hips. “So, my sisters were having a group chat, and I wasn’t included?”

Dex shrugged again. “Sometimes you’re too bossy. Don’t forget to put spinach on the grocery list.”

Aria turned back to me looking a little flustered and miffed, but there was a slight smile trying to break free. “I’m not that bossy,” she insisted as she filled a glass of water behind the counter. “I mean, if you had four little sisters, you’d be bossy, too.”

“Hey, my sister is three minutes older than me, and she’s been bossing me around since she was able to talk.”

Aria picked up a pot of coffee and pointed at the empty cup in front of me.

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