Page 8 of Where We Bloom

I can’t reallyaffordto buy this shop, and it’s four hours from where I live, so I really shouldn’t entertain the idea.

But I get 90 percent of my wardrobe here. And the day trip over each month is so good for my mental health. It’s really the only day that Idon’twork. I don’t stop by the shop to restock, or shoot an email, or change the display window. I listen to music or audiobooks in my car and empty my mind. Not to mention, my favorite restaurant is here in town, and I always treat myself whenever I’m here.

“No, of course not.” I shake my head. “But do me afavor? Please give me a heads-up before you sell. I love it in here.”

“I’ll keep you posted. I’m not convinced that selling is the right move, but I’ve considered it. I know it would be a stretch for you to own two businesses in two vastly different places.”

“One is hard enough, as you know.”

Martha helps me load the totes into my car, then I hug her goodbye. I’m hungry and have a long drive ahead of me, so I walk down the block to the cutest boutique hotel I’ve ever seen. Because we’re in the mountains, you’d think it would have a rustic lodge feel, but it doesn’t. It’s classy, with beautiful sage green and burnt orange colors. The lighting is moody, and it makes a person feel …luxurious.

Not that I’ve seen many boutique hotels. It’s not like I travel the world often or anything, but this place is adorable. I wish I could afford to spend a long weekend here.

But, given that this is the playground for the ridiculously wealthy, I’m quite sure I can’t afford the nightly rate.

I can, however, afford to eat in the restaurant.

I’m shown to a table by the windows, and once I take a seat, I pull out my phone to check my messages. I have a group text thread with my Spicy Girls Book Club girls that always has some activity.

Starting that book club is one of the best things I ever did. Not only did it bring me closer to my best friend and now sister-in-law, Dani, but it also brought my otherbestie, Skyla, into my life. Add in the other ladies, and I have a kick-ass group of women around me.

I never take it for granted.

Millie:Did you make it to Big Sky, Bee?

Oops, I didn’t see that earlier. Millie owns the coffee shop right next door to my bookstore, and I’ve known her all of my life. She’s the best.

Me:I did! Sorry, I didn’t see this message earlier. I’m having lunch before I get back on the road.

Skyla:Did you find some fun things this time? I want to see everything!

I grin and look up to thank my server, who just brought me some warm bread and water.

“Hello, miss. I’m Travis, and I’ll be helping you today.”

“Thanks, Travis.”

“Have you had an opportunity to look over the menu?”

I don’t need to. I know exactly what I want.

“I have,” I reply with a smile. “I’ll have the whipped feta dip because it’s absolutely addicting.”

Travis grins as he writes on his pad. “It really is. What else can I bring you?”

“I’ll have the grilled chicken Caesar salad, no anchovies.”

“I can do that. Anything to drink?”

“Just an iced tea, please. And also, for dessert, I’ll have the huckleberry crème brûlée.”

“You’re living your best life, my friend,” Travis says with a wide smile before he walks away to put my orderin. Travis is cute. He’s tall with almost white blond hair and one hell of a smile, complete with dimples.

Adorable.

Not nearly as sexy as Connor Gallagher. My stranger. The man who not only fucked my brains out one night late last year but has found ways to corner me and kiss the hell out of me at every opportunity since then. He’s Skyla’s brother, a detail that I didn’t know until I saw him at my niece’s dance recital several months after that night, where he dragged me out back and kissed the fuck out of me.

And ever since then, it’s been the same. Family dinner? Stolen kisses. Trip to Europe to watch Skyla dance? All the fucking kisses. He even stormed in on a book club meeting several weeks ago and dragged me into a supply closet, where he proceeded to give me an orgasm in three-point-seven seconds.

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