I read the wordhandsomeagain, grinning stupidly. That was the first time he’d ever called me that. And yeah, I liked that a lot.
“Hello?” Roxy whistled. “Don’t you ignore me, Maverick Curtis Fox.”
“Sorry,” I mumbled as I continued to text Harley.
That’d be work boots and jeans, but I feel like that won’t be appropriate.
HARLEY: If that’s what you want to wear, then wear it. I’ll make sure it’s not an issue.
I chuckled at the idea of Harley handling a grumpy hostess if I showed up in my work clothes.
“Are you laughing at me?” she asked.
If you’re going to start fighting people, princess, make sure you wait until I’m there. I want front row seats to the Lowell Beatdown.
“No,” I replied, just barely hearing her.
HARLEY: That’s not a thing.
I have a feeling there’s a secret brawler in there, princess.
HARLEY: If you don’t get here, you won’t find out.
Be there soon.
“Fuck it. We’re skipping the tie,” I said. I was too damn excited to get out of there. I wasn’t about to spend another minute worrying about what tie to wear.
“Send me a picture!” Roxy quipped.
“I’m not sending you a goddamn picture,” I retorted. “But I am hanging up on you.”
“You should just bring me with you on—”
“Hell no.” I chuckled. “Later, Rox.”
“No, no, no! Wait! Take me with you, you little—”
I hung up. I’d apologize later when I had all the details of my date to share with her.
The parking lot atThe Lakeside Reveriewas empty, which surprised me. They were never empty. I saw a few cars around the side lot and assumed they were employee cars. They were too far out of the way to be anything else.
I parked as close to the door as I could. There was a sign taped to the door—one I had to get out to read it.
Closed For Private Event.
“Shit,” I muttered. I ran a hand through my hair. Closed for a private event? That wasn’t the plan. Did Harley know?
“Mr. Fox!” a young woman exclaimed as she came rushing out the door and almost hit me with it. I took one long step back. “I’m so sorry! We were supposed to have someone out here to greet you.”
“Why?” I asked. I wasn’t going to ask how she knew my name. Yeah, Wilde Bay was a small town, but notthatsmall.
“Mr. Lowell rented out the restaurant,” she exclaimed.
Harley did what now?
“I’m sorry,” I began, “did you just say he rented out the restaurant?”
“For a private event, yes.” She nodded a little too enthusiastically with every word. “If you’ll just come with me…”
