Page 15 of Lucky in Love
“I’m with Alex,” Faith said. “It’s possible the thing can survive.”
“The winter? Injured?” Tess rolled her eyes.
“Any. Way.” Alex dragged out the words. “Lyle’s guys are coming over tomorrow to build the bookcases. I’m gonna askthem to build Daisy a little house. She can go in there to stay safe at night. She seems very smart.”
Alex glared at Brody when she caught him biting back a laugh. He held up both hands. “It’s a very considerate thing to do.”
“No offense,” Alex said. “But what are you doing here?”
“I invited him,” Faith answered for Brody. “He showed up at the bookstore, and I thought it’d be nice for Nick to have a masculine ally.”
“Whatever,” Alex said, then changed the subject. “Big news, y’all. Drake is coming to town.”
“That was fast,” Juliet said. “He must really like you.”
“Yes,” Faith said. “This is so great. When?”
“Flies in on Friday, and he’s staying for the weekend. This could be my only shot to sell GVF. I need a plan.”
She and her friends huddled up, leaving Nick and Brody at the end of the table to fend for themselves. After a minute, they stood.
“We’re gonna go watch the game at the bar,” Nick said. “Be back when the food comes out.” He gave Faith a quick peck on the cheek and walked with Brody to the bar.
“So, what? Are Nick and Brody BFFs now?” Alex asked with a huff.
“Nick’s not good at ‘friending,’” Faith said. “Thought I’d give him a gentle nudge.” She looked over to where the men sat and gave Nick a double thumbs-up and an encouraging smile when he caught her eye.
“Is it me, or are you a little antagonistic toward Brody?” Juliet asked.
“He just rubs me the wrong way.”
“You mean he saw you in an embarrassing moment, and you don’t like that one bit,” Tess said, arching an eyebrow.
Alex shrugged. They all already knew Tess was right, saving Alex the trouble of having to admit it out loud.
“Which sucks, because I should be kissing his butt. He has the power to destroy me. His ‘review’ could make or break me.”
“It’s tough to overcome a bad first impression,” Tess offered helpfully. “And assuming he was a convict and calling the police on him isn’t the best of starts.”
“We don’t need a play-by-play, Tess.” Alex sipped her drink, wishing she could have a do-over on the afternoon. “I wish I were better at sucking up.”
“When he comes back, just turn on the charm,” Faith said.
“Then he’ll think I’m only being nice because I know who he is now.”
“Do you have a choice?” Juliet asked.
“Never mind all that. I’ll worry about Brody later. We gotta think of stuff I can do to impress Drake. Hike to the falls for sure. What else?”
They brainstormed all the things they liked to do and made a tentative, weather-permitting plan to blow Drake’s socks off. A scenic drive through the mountains. A ride on the Cog Railway. A hike to Green Valley Falls. And pie at Karla’s diner.
They finished just as the food arrived, and Faith waved to get Nick’s attention. He and Brody were talking with Max, Jenny, and their daughter, Lilly—friends from town—but broke away and returned to the table.
“I ran an extra mile for you, my friend,” Alex said to the french fries on her plate, popping one into her mouth. “Hmm.”
“Did you hear the latest on the fugitive?” Faith said. “His nickname in prison is The Grocer.”
“Do I want to know why?” Juliet asked.
