Nathan was the one to answer. “I hear the po’boy is divine. Do you know what that is?’
“A po’boy?” Bree made a face. “Yes. I almost moved to New Orleans instead of here.”
“And why didn’t you?” Nathan asked.
“Honestly? Hurricanes. That was the deciding factor. I love New Orleans. The food is amazing. Beignets?” She offered up a chef’s kiss. “Chicory coffee isn’t a favorite, but the beignets are worth it. Savannah and New Orleans have a similar vibe, although New Orleans is louder. The hurricanes were the deciding factor.”
“Are you liking it here so far?” I asked, annoyed that I actually wanted to hear her answer.
“For the most part. I’m not sure I like all the rules at the Landings, though. Like… did you know you can only have one point of interest in your yard? You can have a birdbath or a feeder but not both. A birdbath or a water feature but not both.”
“Are you one of those people who likes a bunch of junk in your yard? Like … have you never met a lawn gnome you didn’t want to adopt?”
That made her laugh. “I like a good lawn gnome. But it’s not just that. I don’t like ‘structured’ living as much as the other people here apparently do.”
“Then why would you move here?” That was the part I couldn’t wrap my head around. “This whole place is structured.”
“Yeah, well, I didn’t look closely enough at the fine print.” She swished her lips. “I still love the house. But I don’t like all therules. Most of them, I didn’t even want to break until I was told they were rules.”
I chuckled. “What are you going to do?” I didn’t expect her to have an answer but she did.
“I’m working on that.” Her eyes scanned her menu up and down. “Oh, gross,” she said after a beat.
“You just read what was on the po’boy, didn’t you?” I said.
“Yes, and that’s disgusting. A salmon wrap is worse. What is wrong with these people? No garden gnomes but oysters on a po’boy? That is just a crime against humanity.”
On principal, I didn’t want to agree with her, but I couldn’t help it. “The iced tea is good. So is the burger, if that’s your thing.”
“Oh, I’m getting the burger.” She bobbed her head. “I cannot believe there’s even such a thing as a salmon wrap. I feel as if I should go back in time and smack whoever made that decision.”
I didn’t realize I was smiling until she looked up and gave me a quizzical look.
“What is it?” she asked.
I shook my head. “Nothing. I’m just grossed out by salmon in a wrap too.”
“Right? Somebody is clearly deranged.”
It was more than that. I found her funny. I wouldn’t admit it under the threat of death, but she had a charming streak. How had I never noticed that before?
9
NINE
The second event was hosted at Spanky’s River Street, located right on the water. I was a big fan of hanging out at a place called Spanky’s because … well … that’s just obvious. Who didn’t want to hang out at Spanky’s?
Brody. That was who. Brody didn’t want to hang out at Spanky’s. He looked at the sign three times before venturing closer to the establishment. I knew that because I was getting out of my Uber when I noticed him.
“Are you afraid of the bar?” I asked as I sidled closer.
He glanced over at me. “I’m just … wondering.” He tilted his head. “You don’t think this is a fetish bar, do you?”
I burst out laughing. “Is that why you’re standing out here like a big loser?”
He frowned. “I’m just concerned. Half the authors in our group write romance so…”
“Do you think all romance involves spanking or something?” I was honestly trying to figure out where he was coming from.
