Page 5 of The Hometown Dilemma
“Live music?” suggested Austen.
“Maybe. We’d have to apply for a license though.”
“Who’s running the bar now? You or your dad? Because is it really his decision?” Austen voiced the things I’d already been thinking.
But try as I might, I couldn’t bring myself to put my foot down. Sometimes I wished he’d back off completely and let me run the bar as I saw fit.
“Nothing’s going to change for the time being, at least here anyway.” I hefted a sigh. “But I did get this sorted out today.” I shrugged off the left sleeve of the flannel shirt I wore over my black t-shirt and peeled the film off my latest tattoo. “No more Cami.”
Austen peered at the new ink, then screwed up his face. “Yeah, sorry ‘bout that. Didn’t think you’d actually go ahead with the dare.”
“Kinda wish I hadn’t so maybe you’d like to pay for the damage?” I grinned. It was worth a shot.
“If I can sell that house, you got it,” he agreed, clinking his bottle against mine. “Wish I knew someone who did that staging stuff.” He frowned. “Wait, doesn’t Cami’s sister do something similar?”
I hadn’t seen Jaime in ages, certainly not since I’d gotten together with, and subsequently split from, Cami. We’d been buddies back in college when she’d worked at the bar, and we’d always gotten on well. “Yeah, I think so. But she lives in New York so unless she can give you a virtual consultation, that’s out.”
“Shit, yeah. Shame you’re not on great terms with Cami right now, otherwise I’d get you to ask her.”
“Sorry. I’m sure you’ll think of something though.”
Inadvertently, Jamie Harlow was going to come to my rescue – only I didn’t know it yet.
ChapterThree
Jaime
For the firstfew days of being home, I tried to settle into a routine. Not having to get up at the crack of dawn for work took some getting used to. As did not having a definite plan of what to do. I took a leisurely wander around town, taking in old, familiar haunts such as Books ’n’ Beans, the bookshop-slash-coffee shop I loved so much owned by Mila from the book club. She hadn’t been there, so I hadn’t been able to chat with her in person. Then, I popped in to see Cami at Serenity, the hair and beauty salon she worked in. I even treated myself to a fresh French manicure as I wouldn’t be spending the next few days painting or rebuilding furniture. While the break was much needed, the nagging thought that I should be doingsomethingkept coming back.
One afternoon, I sat on my bed with my portfolios and mood boards, trying to stop myself refreshing the application page forInterior Nirvana.They were due to open shortly and I didn’t want to miss the opportunity. I’d already pored over the websites and blogs of previous contestants who had documented their journey in the process from application to show. Just the thought of being a part of it filled me with determination. I wanted to succeed; my application was already finished. But sitting around in my room wouldn’t get me any clients.
With a heavy sigh, I reached for my book. Maybe a few more chapters ofKiss Me Ever Afterwould help take my mind off things.
As I was about to start reading, my bedroom door banged open and Cami bounced in, landing on the bed next to me and sending the portfolios tumbling to the floor.
“What are you doing?” she asked. “I think we should go out tonight.”
Realizing my plan to read had been thwarted, I put the book down and turned my attention to my sister.
“Bad day at work?” I raised a brow.
“No. You’ve been home for a while, and we haven’tdoneanything yet. We haven’t even been shopping in Raleigh.” Cami let out a dramatic sigh.
I didn’t want to tell her that money for shopping was at an all-time low and I had to be careful about my spending. While I wasn’t spending on rent, there wasn’t any cash coming in either. My savings wouldn’t last forever.
“Okay, so what do you want to do? Dinner? A movie?” I suggested, sensing she wasn’t going to let me off the hook no matter what excuse I gave.
“Dinner and drinks,” declared Cami. “At Dempsey’s.”
Her suggestion of venue surprised me. “What? You want to go to the place where your ex works?”
She nodded. “Yes. It’s Thursday.”
“So, is there a happy hour tonight? Two for one on cocktails?” For the life of me, I couldn’t fathom why she would want to go there.
Cami shook her head. “I’m sure Wade would give me free drinks if I asked. But Thursday is the night the football team comes in after practice.”
“Since when have you been interested in football?” Instantly, I regretted asking the question. Cami had zero interest in the sport, but I had no doubt there was a player who had piqued her fancy.
