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“I will.” Carole King’s “You’ve Got a Friend” played from the tablet in the library. “Despite that. Welcome to Poole’s Bay and Lost Bride Manor, Cleo.”
After Anna walked to her car, Sonya shut the door. “And here we are.”
With a “Woo!” Cleo threw her arms around her friend. “I’m officially living in a haunted house. Talk about living the dream.”
“I say it’s not official until you’re unpacked.”
“Then let’s get to it.”
Sonya took the weekender and one of the boxes while Cleo dragged the second big suitcase.
“Considering your wardrobe, I realized the closet in your room—You still want the same room?”
“It’smyroom. The box goes up to the studio. Just set it down there.”
“Not enough closet space in your room, so I thought you could use the one in the room across the hall for spillover. Maybe separate by occasion or season.”
“You have the best ideas. I’ll start with the occasion system. It’s not like I’m going to wear a lot of date night and cocktail wear, at least for a while.
“And here’s my room! My wonderful room.”
“Actually, Trey has a friend, a drummer with a band. He used to play with Trey and Owen’s band.”
“What? Wait. Trey had a band?”
“Did I forget to tell you?” Together they muscled the first suitcase onto the luggage rack Sonya found in a closet. “I’m so glad you’re here so I won’t forget to tell you everything. High school, garage band, but Manny kept up with it.”
“Are you fixing me up with a drummer in a rock band before I’ve even unpacked? You are the goddess of friends.”
“I want that title, but no. Manny and Trey’s ex—I told you about her.”
“The chef.”
“Right. They’ve started a thing. So Rock Hard’s playing in Ogunquit next week.”
“Rock Hard’s the band name? I’m even sorrier I won’t have a shot at Manny.”
“Bree—the chef—is going next Monday, and wanted us to go. Could be fun.”
“Should be fun,” Cleo agreed as she opened her suitcase. “But I’m not fifth-wheeling it with you and Trey.”
“Trey said Owen would probably go, and we’d make it a group thing. And Yoda would have a chance to hang out with Mookie at Trey’s parents’.”
Cleo looked down at Yoda as she started sorting clothes. “Now you’re using that sweet dog. Okay, if everyone’s in, I’m in.”
“Excellent. You know, I’m not sure two closets are going to work.”
“I’ll make it work.”
They gave the first round of unpacking an hour before going down to feed the dog and toss a frozen pizza in the oven.
“Tomorrow, I start cooking dinner. And anytime Trey wants to join, just let me know. Same with anytime the two of you want to go out to eat.”
When they let Yoda in after his post-dinner outing, Cleo looked around the kitchen, nodded. “This is all good. I have a plan. Let’s give the Great Unpacking another half hour—that’ll be official enough if we don’t get it completely done. Then we could haul the stuff up to my studio. I’ll set that up in the morning.”
“I like your plan.”
They carried the last of the studio boxes to the second floor and, setting them down, turned toward the bedrooms.
