That I liked it.
That I want more.
Aspen Greene ruined me with just one dance.
One kiss.
And I know if I let her in, I’ll never survive the fallout, because it happened before and I promised myself it would never happen again.
Now, I just need to figure out how to keep that promise.
1
PRESENT DAY
[Social Media Post from the Taste of Magnolia Food Truck]
Spiked eggnog coffee and sugar cookie donuts are sure to get you in the holiday spirit!
#supportlocal #tasteofmagnolia #magnoliapoint #holidaytreats
Lowcountry Automotive: Speaking of donuts, make sure you have all the essentials to change a flat tire in your vehicle at all times
Taste of Magnolia: Informative but not festive
Lowcountry Automotive: I’ll try harder next time
Taste of Magnolia: You do that
2
ASPEN
“Hey, so…funny story,” Cora says, sitting down at the table with an overly bright smile on her face. Bristol snickers and I can already tell I’m going to hate this.
“How bad is it?” I say, taking a sip of my margarita and wishing like hell I’d ordered an extra shot of tequila.
“So, um…” Her eyes dart to Bristol who doesn’t bother to hide her amusement. Cora’s sister-in-law to be is the newest addition to our friend group formerly consisting of Cora, Bea, and me. Bea had relocated to my hometown and had fallen in love, making it just Cora and me again.
Until now.
“It’s not that bad,” Bristol encourages, and now I’m starting to sweat.
“Talon’s parents surprised Bristol and Navy with tickets to seeing the princesses on ice show.” She pauses. “The four of them are going.”
I blink and then turn toward Bristol, my head cocked slightly to the side. I’m definitely missing something.
“It’s the same day as the Ladies Auxiliary event but Phoenix can help you,” Cora blurts, her eyes widening as everything slowly clicks into place.
Absolutely fucking not.
“No,” I say adamantly. “I’ll do the event by myself.” The Ladies Auxiliary for the Magnolia Point Fire Department had been desperate for us to cater their holiday party after the original caterer canceled.
Cora and I had agreed to the job even though she’d be away with Talon on vacation. It should have been easy working with Bristol.
But nothing is ever easy.
Still, there’s no way that I’m going to let Phoenix Banks deflate my holiday spirit by me being trapped with him in the food truck I own and operate with Cora. Taste of Magnolia had been her brainchild, but we both worked our asses off to make it a reality.
