“Are those regular fries with weird seasonings?”
“My guess is no.” Hayley shook her head. “They have a raw bar, so you can feed your seafood fetish.”
I made a face. “I like things like steamed crab legs and lobster tails. I do not like raw … well, anything.” I shuddered. “Sushi is gross. I’m never getting on that train.”
“Yeah, I don’t get the sushi thing either. Fire was invented for a reason.”
“To keep people warm?”
“To cook the mastodon so people would stop dying of foodborne illnesses.”
“You’re very wise.” I grinned at her.
She was too focused on her phone to smile back. “There’s a steakhouse.”
“I like steak.”
“There’s a tavern.”
“Couldn’t they just call it a bar?”
Hayley shrugged. “There’s a cabana and a mobile kitchen. Oh, wait. There are a lot of bars at this place.” She looked up. “At least you’ll be able to get drunk on the regular. Do you think you can call an Uber on the property? It’s too far to walk.”
“I don’t plan on getting drunk with these people,” I argued. “I just want a house of my own. Besides, didn’t you pay attention when we were driving in? Nobody here drives to the restaurants and bars in a vehicle. They all have golf carts.”
Hayley’s eyebrows moved toward one another as she took it in. “You know, now that you mention it, I didn’t see any cars.”
I nodded.
“What the hell?” she demanded.
I laughed. I couldn’t help myself. “It’s part of the ‘charm.’” I used the appropriate air quotes.
“Are you getting a golf cart?” The sparkle in her eyes told me she liked the idea.
“Absolutely not.”
“You have to.”
“It was not a rule of home ownership here. I checked.”
“I love how you checked.” She snorted, then shook her head. “How can you not want a golf cart? I mean, that would be one of the only reasons for me to live in a place like this.”
Her words finally tripped something inside me. “Wait … do you not like it here?”
She avoided my gaze. “I love Savannah. If you remember correctly, I was the one who wanted you to move here because I don’t live too far away.”
“I’m talking about the Landings.”
She hesitated, and my stomach constricted. I’d been so certain this was the best place for me as soon as I’d seen the house. Had I been wrong?
“I think the house is beautiful,” Hayley said finally. “Like … really, really beautiful. It’s freaking amazing really.”
“But…?” I prodded.
“But these communities have rules. Like … strict rules. You’re not a rules person.”
“What sort of rules?”
