“I can call her back later, Margaret.”
“Don’t be silly. You answer that phone,” she snips playfully.
“Okay. Thank you.” I beam. I miss my best friend more than I can put into words. Life just hasn’t been the same here without her. “Hello.”
“Hi, Char. How are you? I hope I didn’t call too early.”
“Not at all. I’m here at work.” I flip the call onto speaker mode. “Mrs. Montgomery is putting me through the paces this morning.”
“Hi, Ellie. Oh, how we’ve missed you around here. Candy Cane Key isn’t the same without you.”
“Awe, thank you, Margaret. That’s so kind of you to say. I had planned to make it back more often. But my restaurant here in Sycamore Mountain has really taken off.”
My eyes close, mouth-watering at the memory of Ellie’s down-home southern delicacies. People would come from miles around to sample her fried chicken, biscuits, greens, and macaroni and cheese. And don’t get me started on her desserts.
Margaret’s phone begins to ring, and she fishes it out of her buttery soft Coach leather handbag. I take this opportunity to remove Ellie’s call from speaker mode and put my phone to my ear. “I’m so incredibly proud of you.” It’s clear from the familiar sound of a radio in the background she’s not at her place of business. “I’m surprised you aren’t there now.”
“Wait, I need to see your face for this!” Ellie squeals. All of a sudden, the screen morphs into a video chat. She’s absolutely glowing. Her smile is radiant. But then again, I miss her like crazy. So, there’s that. “I dropped by the station to bring Matt and the boys some breakfast before heading into the restaurant. When he works these twenty-four-hour shifts, I miss him.”
Out of the blue, her grin grows even wider as strong, corded arms wrap around her waist. “Oh, you do, do ya?” Her boyfriend lays an adoring kiss on her cheek.
Sheesh, this girl hit the jackpot with this one. He’s not only physically fit, working as a firefighter, but he’s got the square jaw covered in decadent dark stubble, deep brown eyes that I swear must’ve hypnotized her the minute she saw them, and some of the sexiest ink covering his tan, muscular body. Add in the fact he’s one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met, and he has all of the ingredients for the perfect partner.
“I’d ask how you are, but by the look of things…” I giggle.
“Good to see ya, Charlene. Give my brother hell for not visiting the next time you see him.” Matt gives Ellie a playful pat on her ass and chuckles before walking away.
“Things are great, Char. That’s why I called so early. I couldn’t stand it any longer. I almost phoned you last night.” Her glee is pouring through the receiver.
“What? What? Tell me.”
“Matt finally proposed.” She holds up her engagement ring to thescreen. It’s stunning, but I think I’m more blinded by her toothy grin and beaming expression than the shiny bauble.
“Ahhhhh!” I squeal, drawing the attention of everyone in the salon. “I knew it. It’s about darn time.”
“Well, we’re diving into planning. I’ll call you and give you the date as soon as we settle on one.” She hesitates briefly, seeming a bit forlorn all of a sudden. Is she thinking about her grandparents, who didn’t live long enough to see her on her big day? “But we don’t want to wait. I know it’s a big ask, seeing how you’d probably have to close the salon to come here. But I can’t get married without my best friend by my side.” She gives me a pleading expression, which is adorable, but simultaneously causes my stomach to churn.
I bite my lower lip, feeling torn. I’m thrilled for my sweet friend. And there’s nowhere I’d rather be than by her side for her big day. But leaving the safety of Candy Cane Key isn’t something I’d given any real consideration before. Sure, I knew this day would eventually come. But it was easier to put off thinking about the risks involved until the time came. Now that it’s here, I’m not sure I’m ready for this.
Yet, Ellie is the closest thing I have to a sister. And she doesn’t have any living relatives to speak of. It’s not even a question. I have to be there. “You know I wouldn’t miss it. Just tell me when and where, and I’ll be there.”
“Thank you, Char. It means everything to me.”
Any distress over leaving the safety of my hometown is quickly thwarted by the sight over Ellie’s shoulder. I can’t help but stare as the tall, dark-haired man in the distance stretches his arms over his head, his navy blue T-shirt stretching taut across the firm planes of his back and shoulders.
Hell, I’ve only got the rear view and my mouth is watering.
Wonder if the front is as appetizing as the back.
My sweet friend doesn’t miss a thing. The camera shifts a bit as she glances over her shoulder to see what has my attention. Returning her gaze to me, Ellie bites her lower lip in complete understanding. It’s as if we’re back at The Wild Shrimp for ladies’ night,checking out the latest tourist crowd to roll into Candy Cane Key, rating their potential.
She smirks. “He’s single, you know.”
I roll my eyes. “And lives three states away. Like someone else I know,” I grouse.
“Doesn’t mean it isn’t possible. I’m living proof.” She dips her head as if to punctuate her statement. “Not that any of that really matters. You haven’t had a boyfriend since the day we met. So why not enjoy yourself a little when you come to town?”
My eyes flick back to the man candy on display behind her. There’s just something about the way a confident man stands, muscular legs spread shoulder width apart, their arms crossed over their chest, biceps and tantalizing forearms calling to you.
