Page 33 of Love Like This

“You look amazing,” she said. “Not that there’s a world in whichyou couldn’t.”

Hadley let the compliment land and spread out. “Hi,” she saidhappily. “And thank you.” Spencer’s own outfit was in the vein of her designs.Sophisticated, with a side of rebellious tossed in. Her short-sleeve black tophad small rips down the side, offering only a fleeting glimpse of skin. She hada scarf with a faded leopard print around her neck, and her slim-legged jeanshad Hadley’s mouth watering. It was a really good look for Spencer.

“Where should we go?” Spencer asked.

“Hear me out, and understand that you can totally say no.”

“The suspense is killing me.”

“I’m told there’s a spirits tasting tonight at this great littleshop down the street. What do you think?”

“I’d be one hundred percent down with that,” Spencer said, easingher hair behind her ear. “But I’ve only ever seen you drink wine. You’d be upfor something a little heavier?”

“Pshhh,” Hadley said, as if she did spirit tastings on the daily.“I can hang with the big girls, Spencer. You don’t give me enough credit.”

“Okay,” Spencer said, as if still not quite able to picture Hadleytossing back whiskey neats. But then again, this would only be a tasting. Theywould sip, and see where the night led them. And really, who knew where thatmight be? Hadley was nervous and excited to find out.

“Follow me.”

Spencer smiled. “Anywhere.”

* * *

The night was definitely going places. Spencer realized she wasdoing that thing where her feet weren’t touching the ground, and called herselfon it. As much as she enjoyed Hadley and felt reeled in by her contagious,bubbly charm, feet-on-the-ground realism was where Spencer preferred to live.

Before they’d met, she didn’t have any intention of gettingtangled up with a woman, but Hadley made her laugh and go weak in the knees.Plus, the whimsical aspect of Hadley’s personality coaxed something lighterinto her disposition. While she couldn’t quite imagine herself roller-skatingthrough Hadley’s courtyard, she could damn sure smile at the reality of Hadleydoing so. Hell, maybe she could even cheerlead. As a kid, she’d rejected dolls,stuffed kittens, and anything sparkly. She’d just never been a fan of cutethings, feeling that they’d signal something weak in her. Hadley had tossed theentire notion on its head. She was the definition of cute, and Spencer couldn’tget enough. Toss in her alluring appearance, and Spencer had troubleremembering her own name.

They hopped an Uber to Chadwick’s, the little shop Hadley hadmentioned, just as the sun began to set. The store was just as quaint as Hadleydescribed, selling liquor and incense and candles of all soothing scents. Aclassical guitarist had set up in the corner and had his case open for tips.Spencer tossed in a five as they approached the tables that had been set up inparallel rows for tastings.

“Have you done one of these before?” Hadley asked. Her smallsilver earrings caught the light, as the guitarist began to play “HotelCalifornia.”

“A handful.”

“Tell me, what’s your favorite?”

She thought on the question, distracted by the way Hadley pursedher lips as she waited for the answer. She had really good lips. “I’m a rumdevotee, but I try not to discriminate.”

“An open mind. I like that.”

There were so many other things Spencer was feeling open to, butshe focused on the task ahead of them and enjoyed merely being in Hadley’spresence, all optimistic and eager.

Two small glasses with intricate silver designs were placed infront of them. Hadley’s glass was pelican themed, and Spencer’s a series offishing hooks. Chadwick’s was certainly eclectic, as nothing else about theshop said ocean. Their server was named Jeremiah, and he briefly explained thatthere would be six tastings provided, to which she made mental note to take itslow.

“Where are you from?” Hadley asked Jeremiah.

He was close to their age with sandy brown hair and a pointygoatee Spencer thought he should lose. She imagined all the ways she wouldstyle him, given the opportunity. Gray and light blue would be a killercombination on him. Occupational hazard. Sometimes she just couldn’t turn offthat portion of her brain.

“Calabasas originally. I live in the city now.”

“Oh, wow! Me, too,” Hadley said beaming. “My dads still live outthat way. I visit them a couple of times a month. They just remodeled the wholehouse. It was quite the project. You don’t want the details.”

“Who handled the work?” he asked.

She thought a moment. “Um…a company called Mandalay Brothers. Theywere great, but it took close to a year for everything to go in. The end resultwas stunning.”

He extended his hand. “Jeremiah Mandalay. My two older brothersown that company.”

“Get out!” Hadley turned to Spencer with a look that said, “Canyou even believe this?” Back to Jeremiah. “You get out of here right now! Turnaround and leave this instant.”

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