“Your arms are too short,” he countered.
“Well, at least point the phone down.” She shimmied closer. “And put your arm around me like you actuallylikeme or it’ll never work.”
Ava’s peppermint scent drifted around him like an intoxicatingly euphoric cloud, momentarily causing him to forget what they were doing until she bumped him with her elbow. “I’ll take a few,” he said. “Now, smile like you don’t hate me.”
“I don’t hate you.”
Brayden snapped a few pictures. “Oh, really?”
“Really.”
After a dozen clicks, footsteps forced them apart, but her peppermint scent lingered on his shirt. He quickly scrolled through the pictures when Sophie was detained by a guest with a question.
“Any good?” Ava asked, leaning over his arm to see.
He angled his phone better for her to see. “This one should work.” He’d chosen the picture that best captured her dazzling smile and that hint of playfulness when she insisted she didn’t hate him.
“Good, send it to me. My mom has taken it upon herself to set me up on a date with some guy named Pete and without this, I’m not getting out of it.” She stepped away the moment he hit send, pretending to fuss with her already perfect baskets.
“Here you go,” Sophie said, handing him a check. “I still don’t think it’s enough.”
“It’s plenty,” he said, folding and stuffing it into a shirt pocket. “I hope your book club enjoys it.”
“Remember, the invitation is still open to join.”
Brayden nodded. His gaze inevitably fell on Ava as she launched into her spiel with Cadence over the baskets, his cue to leave before he did something foolish like intervene without an invitation. He could help in other ways. Like notifying his property manager to order a basket for each of his tenants once Ava officially announced they were for sale.
For now, he had an appointment with the local realtor about another property. One that needed a bit more work than some of the previous houses he’d bought. But the location promised it was worth every penny. In the end, the community would benefit the most. He’d been buying properties in poor condition and having them flipped all year long. His way of giving back to a town that had provided him such peace of mind.
He sat inside his truck, giving it a moment to warm back up. Mom had another half dozen text messages waiting for him, this time about missed opportunities and some woman she’d wanted him to marry being engaged to someone else.
Brayden:I’ve met someone.
He included his favorite picture with Ava in the message before silencing his phone and backing out of the gravel drive. He drove through town feeling lighter. Maybe he couldn’t shirk his business responsibilities forever, but at least Mom should stop trying to arrange him in a marriage he didn’t want.
Parking on the curb in front of the town’s newest listing, Brayden meant to notify Jolene he was there for the showing. But Mom’s name flashed on the screen.She’s quick.
Mom:I’m not amused.
Brayden:Careful. We might elope ;)
Mom:You can’t be serious about her.
Brayden:Deadly
A few ominous minutes elapsed as he waited in the truck. When Jolene Davies pulled up behind him, his phone buzzed once more.
Mom:I’m coming to Alaska. Be there Friday.
ChapterThree
Ava
“You didn’t tell me you were dating Brayden Young!” Kinley James burst into the Forget Me Not Boutique and marched straight to the counter, pinning Ava in an uncomfortable stare. Her best friend’s eyes were much too bright and her smile three times the size it should be.This can’t be good.
“You’re finally seeing that handsome young neighbor of yours?” Glenda cooed, clapping her hands together. The older woman, who reminded Ava a lot of her grandmother, wasn’t due to arrive for her shift for another hour but found herself unable to sit still at home. Any other day, Ava would’ve been grateful.
“Brayden Young?” Becca, the teenager who worked odd shifts around her school schedule, chimed in. Ava felt sabotaged by everyone currently in her store. “He’s so dreamy!”
