“Juliet’s coming to town for lunch,” Faith said while they waited. “You in?”
“We haven’t even had breakfast, and you’re already planning lunch?” Tess teased. “When do you work, woman?”
“I get stuff done.” Faith smirked. “You in or not?”
“Actually, I’m meeting Logan.” Just saying his name caused an involuntary smile.
“Oh my gosh,” Faith said. “You really like him.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Your face.” Faith circled a finger in front of her. “Spill it. Does this have anything to do with your Manchester date? Did you…?” She waggled her eyebrows.
Tess hesitated for only a second. No sense trying to lie to Faith. She knew her too well.
“Yes,” Tess hissed. “But keep your voice down. I don’t need the whole town knowing I slept with him already.”
“Ha!” Faith clapped her hands together. “I knew it. You mustreallylike him.”
They picked up their coffees and huddled in a back booth.
“It’s so weird, but I really do,” Tess confided. “We just hung out, and I already miss him. Is that weird? It seems weird.”
“Nope.” Faith sipped her coffee and smiled. “Not weird at all.” Her tone was smug, like she knew something Tess didn’t but wasn’t going to share.
“Well, it is for me,” Tess said. “I’m used to men being an easy come, easy go kind of thing.”
“Maybe Logan’s different.”
“Hmm. Maybe.” Tess was a little uncomfortable with the new emotions. She wasn’t accustomed to such an effortless, compelling connection with a man. “Still, I’ll manage my expectations.”
“I would expect nothing less from you,” Faith said with a wink.
“Today’s the deadline to find out if the buyer will let Moody take The Outpost out of the deal. His attorneys could contact me anytime.”
“Does Logan know?”
“Nah,” Tess said. “I’m not gonna bring up money until I know more about his situation. If he’s super broke, I don’t want to rub it in his face that I’m trying to buy a business.”
Faith nodded. “Could be intimidating. Hey, I just thought of something.”
Tess raised both eyebrows.
“You should head over early and try to catch Logan while he’s still working. Could involve sweaty shirtlessness and a tool belt…”
Tess laughed. “Hmm. Good idea.”
They took their coffees to-go, and Tess headed back to The Outpost. She worked until noon and then drove to the inn to pick up Logan.
“Hey, Max,” she greeted. “How’s it goin’?”
“Really great,” Max said. “You here to see Logan?”
“Yeah. We’re meeting for lunch. He around?”
“He’s in the office taking care of some money stuff.”
Tess’s brows knit. Why would Max be letting Logan handle the finances? Not that he didn’t seem trustworthy, but they had only known him for a short time.
