Page 8 of Choosing You

“We’re not saying kids can’t come in, but we’re hoping people get the vibe we’re going for here.”

“The high-top tables really don’t give off a family dining vibe.” He chuckled. “And it’s awesome! I can’t wait for you guys to open. When I left the shop earlier, I was thinking about how I was bored with all the same old places here in town to hang out. You’re going to be seeing a lot of me!”

Max shook his hand again. “I’m looking forward to it!” His phone rang and he pulled it out of his pocket and smiled. “It’s Hailey. She’s probably wondering when I’ll be home.”

Taking a step back, Will waved. “That’s my cue to go. Have a good night and hopefully I’ll be seeing you next week!”

“You know it! And thanks again, Will. I appreciate the delivery.” Then he answered his phone, turning all his attention to talking to his wife.

That seemed to be happening more and more. Most of Will’s close friends were all either married or engaged. All the guys who worked the kissing booth with him were single, but they weren’t guys he usually hung out with. He was feeling like the odd man out more and more.

That had him thinking of his mystery girl.

Could she be the one?

“Only time will tell,” he murmured, walking back out to his truck. “Only time will tell.”

ChapterTwo

Later that night, alone in the guest room, Sloane looked at her calendar and sighed.

She didn’t have a whole lot of paid time off left, and she was already planning on coming back to Sweetbriar Ridge in two weeks.

“I just don’t know how I’m going to afford it,” she murmured.

It wasn’t like she had to pay for a place to stay, and, if she asked, Hailey or Max or any of her cousins would pick her up from the airport and save her the cost of a rental car. The problem was getting time off from work.

If I even have a job to go back to.

Because…yeah, that was part of the reason she was here and not back in Florida.

After yet another meeting where her boss handed her the smallest account, she had finally voiced her frustrations.

Loudly.

With an audience.

Working for a company who specialized in social media management, Sloane was part of a team. Unfortunately, she was the one who always drew the short straw—metaphorically, anyway—and always ended up with the least important clients. She knew she was damn good at her job and just wished she could get the chance to prove that. The money was decent, and she handled a few accounts for friends on the side, but she was so damn tired of being overlooked! After she finally spoke up to her boss, he suggested she take a few days off to calm down.

It was such a condescending thing to offer, but she took it and ran.

Straight to her sister’s house.

Obviously, she wanted to see her new niece again because she was growing and changing daily, but she also needed time with Hailey because her sister always seemed to know what to say to make Sloane calm down and see things more clearly.

But those weren’t her only reasons.

Now that she had an actual reason for coming to Sweetbriar Ridge, she hoped to maybe find some time to go out and explore the town on her own and maybe find her kissing booth guy.

For the life of her, Sloane didn’t know why she hadn’t been more proactive in introducing herself to the handsome guy who she’d been kissing for three years now. But…what started out as a dare from a friend in high school somehow turned into a silly tradition.

Kiss the hot guy and then walk away.

A tradition that officially sucked now.

Why? Because she had a feeling that her nameless kisser was a decent guy. She didn’t know for sure, but Ashlynn would have mentioned if he wasn’t by now. If only she’d tell Sloane his name! It was funny at first—the whole secretive thing—but now? Now she wanted to know him.

Ashlynn’s words from yesterday played over and over in her mind.

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