Page 54 of Until It Was Real

“We’ll make time.”

“Are you trying to give me a stroke?”

He chuckles. “My Havoc is stubborn.”

“I’m not your anything.”

He smirks. “I’ll change your mind.” He saunters to the door. “Get some sleep. I’ll see you tomorrow. Lock up behind me.”

“You won’t change my mind,” I holler after him.

He waves in response. I slam my door. Rhett as Mr. High and Mighty was annoying. I’m afraid Rhett ‘I’ll change your mind’ is going to be worse.

But I have to resist him. I don’t trust myself to make good choices about men. Look what happened with Adam.

If I lose my job because a relationship with Rhett doesn’t work out, what then? Where will I go?

And it’s not only my job I’m worried about. I’m afraid my heart won’t remain unscathed either.

Chapter 18

“The door attacked me without provocation.” ~ Dakota

Dakota

Iwave to Blossom as I walk toward her. We’re going to spend the day together enjoying theGhost Tide Festival.I have no idea what you do at aGhost Tide Festival,but it’s going to be an awesome day, no matter what happens, since I have a day off from catering to Eli’s whims and from helping drunk guests figure out how to open doors.

“This is so exciting.” She bounces on her toes. “I love all things ghost.”

“You do?”

“Halloween is my favorite.”

I nearly slap my forehead. Duh.Ghosttide. Halloween. How did I not connect the two? I blame a lack of sleep from working two jobs. Not lack of sleep from spending way too much time reliving a certain night in a certain hotel room with a certain sexy boss’s brother.

“What do you want to do first?”

“I have it all figured out. We’ll begin our day at theGhost Tide Market.They’re supposed to have all the best goodies. Then, we’ll doThe Smuggler’s Gauntlet.”

A gauntlet doesn’t make me feel all tingly with excitement. Quite the opposite. “The what?”

“Don’t worry. It’ll be fun.”

Her smirk does not reassure me.

“And we’ll finish the day off with theHaunted Cove Boat Ride.”

I shiver. “It sounds scary.”

“I know. Isn’t it great?”

I shrug. Scary isn’t usually my thing, but I’m willing to try anything once.

We walk to the boardwalk where theGhost Tide Marketis set up. I shiver as the cold wind off of the ocean hits us. I didn’t consider cold ocean breezes when I dressed for the day.

“Oh look. Parker has a stand.” Blossom drags me to thePirates Pastriesstand.

I inhale the scent of chocolate and cinnamon, and coffee. I moan. “I think I’m in love with you, Parker.”

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