“Like we’d say no to you. Cami used to cater, so that’s no problem, and I can relive my bartender days from college.” From her grin, Raina was even more excited about doing it than I was.
“Only if you promise to go light. I’d like my bookstore to be standing at the end of the night,” I warned.
“Spoilsport. I’d payyouto let me get Mr. King drunk. Lord knows he needs it.”
Mr. King was the local grump in town, the stereotypical ‘you kids get off my lawn’ kind of guy. Despite only being in his forties, he acted like a crotchety old man to anyone who caught him on a bad day, which seemed to be most days. He’d lived in Lowery’s Crossing his whole life and he’d been like that even back in his twenties, back when I’d been a scared preteen.
“He’d never show up to anything social and he definitely wouldn’t get drunk,” I reminded her. “The only time he willingly goes around people is when he shops at the farmer’s market.”
“Good point. Okay, no getting anyone trashed,” she agreed with a sigh. “It sounds like you’ve got some solid ideas, though. Cami and I are happy to help.”
“I love you, even though you’re mean to me all the time.”
“It’s how I show affection.” Raina ruffled my hair, laughing when I squawked in protest and pulled away.
“Come on, my hair is bad enough on a good day. I swear I’m going to shave it someday.”
“You’d look like Mr. Potato Head. Don’t do that to Donovan. Speaking of which…”
I took a big bite of my sandwich, knowing that whatever came out of her mouth next would be something evil. She was my best friend in the entire world and I adored her, but that smile did not bode well.
“I couldn’t help but notice that Donovan’s car has been in your driveway every morning for the last week.”
Yep, she was evil.
I took my time chewing the bite, but she waited me out, elbow resting on the counter and a sweet-as-honey smile on her face.
“Why are you noticing my driveway? You can’t see it from Buns ‘n’ Roses,” I said instead of answering. They lived in a sunny loft apartment over the shop, so if she wasn’t bluffing, that meant she was just being nosy.
“We like to go for a walk in the mornings before we start work,” Raina shrugged.
I side-eyed her. “You two start working at like three in the morning. Who goes out walking that early?”
“Says the man who went out walking at three in the morning with the ghost of an old woman?”
“Ugh. Fair point. But at least I had a reason.”
“If we don’t go outside before we start prepping for the day, we don’t get fresh air until one of us brings you food. Besides, it’s kind of nice to walk around town when it’s quiet and everyone else is asleep.”
“From anyone else, that would sound kind of creepy.”
“But it’s from me, so it’s adorable. Now stop avoiding the question.”
“You didn’t ask me a question. You made a statement.”
Raina reached over and lightly tugged a lock of hair. “Alex, come on. I need the details!”
I batted her hand away and stalled by taking another long, slow sip of coffee, mostly just to make her groan. She was my best friend, so of course I’d tell her, but like a true best friend, I’d torture her just a little bit first.
“Yes, Donovan’s car has been in my driveway every morning.”
She waited, eyebrows raised, but I just smiled and drank my coffee. I did pull my sandwich a little closer, though, in case she decided to throw it at my head. It wasn’t outside the realm of possibility.
“I swear, you are so lucky I love you.”
“I know. I love you, too.”
“Jerk,” she muttered. “Alright. So, does that mean that Donovan has stayed the night at your house every night for the last week, then?”
