Page 59 of Part of Me (The Seaside Chronicles 2)

I sighed and dropped my head down on the steering wheel as I waited for the light in front of me to turn green. “The rabbit one.”

“I knew it! You should have seen your face when Harlee was talking about it. Are you going to try it out tonight?”

“Are you insane? No! Brody is there, and we’re having a movie night.”

Palmer whistled. “A movie night, huh? Sounds cozy.”

“It’s two friends enjoying some pizza, beer, and a movie. That’s all.”

“Riiiiight. Is that what we’re calling it now? I’m calling it a man and wife getting all snuggled up on the sofa and trying out that new toy she brought home.”

“Ugh, why do I even tell you anything!”

Palmer laughed. “Hey, I’ve got to run, but I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Have fun with your hubby tonight!”

“Friend. Just friends!”

“Sure, you keep telling yourself that, Sutton. Bye! Love you.”

“Love you too.”

The call ended, and I pulled into the grocery store parking lot. After grabbing a couple bottles of wine, some beer, and chips and dip, I headed to the checkout.

“Hi, Sutton!” the cashier said.

“Oh, hey, Laney. How are you doing?”

She flashed me a quick smile as she rang up my stuff. “Good. So, I heard a rumor you’re carrying some new styles in the store. Is that true?”

I paused for a moment and stared at her. Was she the gossip writer? No way. “I am. I’ve expanded my inventory, and I’m carrying more lingerie now too. It’s a new line from a designer friend of mine. I’m opening up the store in the afternoon tomorrow, so please feel free to stop by any time after one if you want to check it out. I’ll be open Saturday until two, as well, but I’m closed on Sundays.”

Laney smiled. “I’ll be there tomorrow! I have the day off. I’m so excited to see what you have. My boyfriend and I are celebrating our two-year anniversary on Saturday, so maybe I’ll find a little something for me…and him.”

“Happy anniversary. I hope you find something you like.”

Laney beamed with happiness. “I’m sure I will. It’s nice to have someone local carrying more personal items like that. I hate driving into Portland to go to Victoria’s Secret.”

“Well, these are all original designs and exclusive to Coastal Chic.”

“Fun!” Laney said with a little clap before she told me my total.

“Thanks again, Laney. Hopefully I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“I’ll be there right when you open!”

Once I got home, I put the beer in the fridge and headed upstairs to change. After smoothing my favorite lotion on my arms and legs, I took way too much time figuring out what to wear, and ended up choosing what I would’ve worn if I was home alone: a pair of leggings and a Seaside High sweatshirt that I’d stolen from Braxton. It was one of my favorite shirts to wear. I pulled my hair up and piled it on top of my head.

When I heard Brody come in the back door, I took one last look at myself in the mirror and then headed out of my bedroom.

“Hey,” I said when I saw Brody at the top of the stairs.

“Hey, sweetheart. I need to get out of these clothes, then I’ll be back down.”

My chest exploded in a flurry at his use of the endearment, though I was positive he didn’t even realize he’d said it. An image of almost-naked Brody from earlier this morning popped into my head, and I felt my cheeks heat. I looked down his entire body, then snapped my eyes back up to his. “No problem.”

He gave me that crooked smile of his, and I swore he could read my mind—because he leaned in and said, “Thinking about this morning?”

“What?” I said with a nervous laugh. “No. Not at all. I’d totally forgotten about it. It’s not like I haven’t ever seen you na…”

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