Page 26 of The Sweet Part
She lifts a hand in a small wave.
“Unless…”
She brightens. “Yes?”
“You and Sophie could stop by the shop on Saturday to see where all the action happens forHot Finds. I mean, you are fans of the show, and you said it was okay for her to check out the cars.”
“Yes! Yes! Yes!” Sophie shouts, running into the foyer.
May gives me a small smile. “I guess that’s a yes.”
Sophie throws her arms in the air. “Woo-hoo! Can Olivia H. come too?”
“Let’s just keep it us,” May says.
Sophie beams at me and runs back to the family room. How long was she standing there watching our awkward goodbye?
I smile at May, and she smiles back, a real smile this time.
It won’t hurt to see a friend one more time.
* * *
May
Sophie’s at Sunday brunch with my parents as usual, giving me some much-needed alone time. Normally I’d relax, but today I’m restless. I don’t know why. It’s not like I don’t have plenty of work to do for the inn. I still have to order the bedding, curtains, and all the last minute touches to make it comfortable for guests. Not to mention taking photos and getting the word out for my Valentine’s Day opening.
It’s just that I kinda got used to having Mason join us for dinner, and that’s over. It was nice to have another adult to talk to.
The doorbell rings, and I perk up.Is it Mason?My pulse thrums through my veins. I smooth my hair and walk to the front door. I can’t think of any reason he’d be stopping by. Unless he’s thinking about me the way I keep thinking about him.
I peek through the peephole and open the door to my neighbors Mackenzie and Harper. They’re Mason’s cousins. Mackenzie’s brown hair is up in a high ponytail, and she’s wearing running clothes. Harper’s honey brown hair is mostly hidden under a baseball cap, and she’s got Ugg slippers on under her long coat. Sunday morning outfits.
“Hi, May, can we come in?” Mackenzie asks.
I step back. “Of course. Is there something you need?”
“Cup of sugar,” Harper says.
“Oh, okay.”
“She’s kidding,” Mackenzie says, looking around. “Wow, you’ve done a lot of work since the last time we were here. It looks great.”
“Thank you.”
“Is Sophie here?” Harper asks.
I cross my arms, already feeling protective. “She’s with my parents. Why?”
Mackenzie and Harper exchange a look.
“We saw Mason leaving your house late three nights in a row,” Harper says.
Mackenzie elbows her. “We’re not spying. Our kitchen is in the front of the house, and we know his truck. Anyway, we’re just coming to you as a friend to say…” She stops herself. “Oh, geez, we’re being nosy neighbors. Sorry!”
“I’m not sorry,” Harper says. “She needs to know about Aunt Madison. She’s a force.”
My brows scrunch together. “Mason’s mom? What does she have to do with me?”
