Chapter Seven
She’d ignored the knocks last night, but she couldn’t avoid them this morning. By now, she was certain Rain had reported what she’d seen to the other three.Not that I blame her. I’d have done the same. Her admission made her laugh and reminded her of the time in high school when they’d all heard a rumor and had texted each other at the same time.
Since then, they’d matured and curbed their gossip. For the most part.
Unraveling the towel from her still damp hair, she took a deep breath and prepared herself for the onslaught of questions. She went to the door and opened it, finding Jessica, Rain, Lark, and Bridget on the other side.
Ah, the old strength in numbers approach.
The girls burst in without an invitation. That they didn’t think twice about their brash actions comforted rather than annoyed Cassidy. Only the best of friends would do that, and it was a reminder how blessed she was to have not one, but four best friends.
“Spill it.” Rain grinned at her like the cat who caught the canary. “What happened last night?”
Rain and Jessica plopped on the end of the bed while Lark and Bridget sat in the chairs around the table.
“Joel and I went out to eat after we discussed ideas for the motel.” She shrugged, hoping to send them a message it was not a big deal.
Lark narrowed her eyes. “We’re not talking about dinner. We want to know what happened outside.”
“Under the moonlight,” Jessica added with a wink.
Bridget rested her elbows on the table and leaned forward. “And don’t leave anything out.”
Her cheeks warmed, but she couldn’t stop her smile. “He kissed me.”
Squeals reminiscent of their junior high days pierced her eardrums.
“I knew it!” Rain’s grin went from ear to ear.
“How was it?” Jessica asked.
“Good.” She crossed her legs on the bed and sighed. “But don’t go getting ideas in your head. We’re leaving tomorrow or Tuesday, and that’s it.”
Lark furrowed her brows. “Don’t write off love just because it seems impossible.”
“Maybe this is God’s answer to your prayers.” Jessica’s amusement of several seconds ago had been replaced with a solemnness. “You’ve been trying to figure out what to do next, and your heart has always been in the hospitality industry.”
“Jess is right.” Bridget nodded in agreement. “You’ve told me before you enjoyed your job with Elon but didn’t receive satisfaction from it. Here’s a great guy trying to get his motel up and running. I’m not God, but it does seem like Joel could have been brought into your life for a reason.”
The prospect overwhelmed her, but she gave her friends’ words careful consideration. She’d only known Joel several days, but didn’t every couple have a first-time meeting? They had to start somewhere. And she’d never kissed a guy just for the fun of it, which spoke volumes to last night’s kiss. Somewhere inside of her, she must have believed a small possibility of a relationship existed.
Scared by the thought, she checked her watch. Saved by the time. “As lovely as this conversation is, I have to get ready. Joel’s picking me up in twenty minutes.”
Rain beamed. “Where are you going?”
“He’s taking me to Camp Margo.” She saw the confused looks on their faces and rushed to explain. “I knew you guys wanted to attend the conference again and with our delay here, we won’t have much extra time on the road after we leave.”
“We would have gone with you, but I’m glad you asked Joel.” Jessica stood from the bed. “I think you should explore what’s there with him.”
“I agree.” Rain rose from the bed as well. “Love’s too precious to let it slide through your fingers.”
She waved a finger and shook her head. “No one said anything about love.”
Lark snickered. “Yet.”
“Oh, good grief. Leave the poor girl alone.” Bridget came over and gave her a hug, then whispered in her ear, “But I want full details of today when you get back.”
Cassidy laughed. “I love you guys, but scat.”
