Page 33 of Love to Prove You Wrong

She leaned in closer. “I think you secretly adore the guy.”

I scoffed. “I do not. Do I hate him less than I did last week? Sure. But there’s a long stretch of feelings between hating someone and adoring them.”

“I won’t bring it up again. Not today anyway,” she said. “Are you all set for the Spring Picnic tomorrow?”

I nodded. “I need to bake some more cookies, but everything else is going according to plan.”

“Well, if you need any help, let me know. I’ve gotta run.”

“But you just got here,” I said.

“I know. I was actually on my way to Sip’nBean to grab some coffees. Pippa’s at the store all by herself and must be wondering where I am. See you tomorrow, Addy. You too, Justin,” she called out to him.

“See ya,” he said and gave her a little wave.

He had climbed onto a chair to put the finishing touches on our food stand. His tool belt sat snugly around his waist and every time he stretched to reach the back of the stand, his abs flexed. This was too much. Why was he torturing me like this? I needed a cold drink. And if that didn’t do the trick, I’d hop into a cold shower.

“I’m going for a walk,” I said in a high-pitched voice. “Do you want me to pick up something to drink on my way back?”

He motioned toward a cooler placed on the grass. “Thanks, but I’m all set.”

I hurried away from the magical effect his chiseled chest had on me. This was so not me. I had never been this physically attracted to someone before. And especially not someone I had beef with. My last boyfriend was sweet, and we got along great, but he never made my pulse race. Not like this, anyway.

I left the town square and crossed the street to Sip’nBean. An iced coffee might seep some sense into me.

“Hi, Addy,” Olive said. She was the most upbeat barista I’d ever met. “What can I get you today?”

I smiled at her and got a couple of dollar bills out of my purse. “A caramel iced coffee, please.”

“Coming right up. How are things at the inn?” she asked while prepping my drink.

“Really good, thank you.”

“I heard you’re thinking of opening a petting zoo. That’s so exciting.”

I grinned. “I know, right? It’s going to be amazing.”

Olive put my coffee on the counter, a dreamy look in her eyes. “I’d love to open a dog hotel one day. You’ll give me some advice when the time comes, right?”

“Sure,” I said with a laugh. Everyone in Old Pine Cove knew how crazy Olive was about dogs. She even ran a business on the side where she offered tarot readings for dogs.

I grabbed my drink and waved her goodbye before settling myself on the terrace outside. The May sun was giving her best effort. I loved days like these. Winter was nice too, as Old Pine Cove was the best place to spend those months, but there was nothing like the allure of clear spring nights and the days getting longer and longer as time passed.

Asher and Layla’s wedding would take place only ten days from now. It meant that a busy period would come to an end for me, but it also meant Justin would be leaving soon. Not that I wanted him to stay, per se. I doubted he would want to stick around here longer than intended. His life in Hollywood was probably an exhilarating one with new adventures every day.

Sometimes I wondered if I would have stayed in Old Pine Cove myself if it hadn’t been for the inn. When my dad left for Florida after gushing about golf carts and oranges, he kind of assumed I’d take over the inn. I did, because I loved working with people and making sure all their holiday needs were met. But I’d never traveled far outside of my hometown. It was ironic, really. I spent all this time catering to people who were taking a well-deserved vacation, yet I never went on one myself.

I got my phone out of my pocket, my fingers automatically heading for the Instagram app. Oops, now the app was open, and I couldn’t stop myself from scrolling. I looked up pictures Justin had posted himself, pictures he was tagged in by others, and pictures of his friends. His life seemed alien to me. Here I was, surrounded by beautiful mountains and people I’d known all my life, while he led a completely different life out there, chilling in the shadow of palm trees, frolicking on the beach, and attending parties in the Hollywood Hills.

A tiny part of me was intrigued by a life lived outside of the Cove, but I knew it would always be a fantasy, at least for me. I had responsibilities here.

Plus, I still had dozens of cookies to bake for the Spring Picnic, which meant I didn’t have time to sit around and think about things that would never happen. I had to get back to work.

I got up, my chair scraping across the concrete. The package of nuts Justin had given me earlier fell out of my shorts pocket. I picked it up and tucked it back in safely.

Justin might be leaving in a couple of weeks, but at least I still had his nuts.

Chapter Twelve

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