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“Abs, this is the first time you’ve been close to Connor in forever. It wasn’t weird?”
Weird was an understatement.
Abby avoided her sister’s gaze. “He helped me back here and got me an ice pack. No big deal.”
“I call bullshit,” Natalie said. “Connor was the one who got away, right? And now you’re telling me being up close and personal with him is no big deal?”
“Drop it, Nat.”
Natalie laughed. “I’ve seen his home improvement show. He’s even hotter than he was when you were together. You had to feel something.”
“I’m over Connor.” Abby picked up a plastic drop cloth. “Let’s get to work. This place isn’t going to paint itself.”
“Fine, ignore me. I forgot I’m talking to the Queen of Denial.” Natalie helped Abby spread out the cloth and move the ladder. “How are you going to paint with your ankle?”
“You paint the top, and I’ll paint the bottom.”
“Can you at least have Mom look at your ankle?”
Abby huffed out a breath. “Fine. I’ll text her later. Pinkie promise.” She held out her pinkie to link like they used to do as kids.
Natalie turned on music, and they worked in tandem throughout the morning, stopping early afternoon for lunch. In front of the large picture window in Abby’s apartment, they ate salads while taking in the scenery that overlooked the boardwalk and offered a prime view of the ocean.
Fluffy clouds dotted the clear blue sky, making it a perfect beach day. The Atlantic sat before their eyes in its full glory. The sun sparkled and reflected off the water, which moved with a synchronous grace as waves rose, crashed, and came into shore. Multicolored striped umbrellas adorned the beach, where families relaxed in equally colorful beach chairs. In the distance, Abby could see a pair of kids tossing a Frisbee and a father helping his son fly a kite.
From Abby’s viewpoint, everyone was laughing and relaxing. Enjoying a day of fun in the sun.
She chugged the last of her iced tea. “You almost done?”
“What’s your hurry?”
“Seven days to opening, Nat. That’s all we have to be ready.”
“I’m well aware, since you downloaded a countdown app on my phone, which reminds me each morning.”
Abby rose and pointed out the window. “Look at all the people on the boardwalk and the beach. Those are all potential customers we’re not engaging with, since we’re not open.”
“Then let’s find a way to engage with them sooner.”
“Any ideas how?”
“What if we hand out flyers and soap samples?” Natalie said.
Abby had been thinking along the same lines. “How, when we’re working in here?”
“Maybe Liam can help.”
“Aren’t you always complaining about how he sleeps until lunch now that school’s out and shows up late or blows off his job at Harrison’s? Besides, it’s soaps. What boy is going to want to hand out soaps?”
“It would only be until we open. Let me ask him.”
“Okay, fine. See what he says.”
Natalie’s phone rang. While she answered it, Abby carried her bowl to the kitchenette and washed it. In the background, she could hear Natalie’s voice rising, a clear sign something was wrong.
“For the love of God.” Natalie stormed over with her own dish and started scrubbing. “I’m losing my mind with that child.”
Abby frowned. “What’s he done now?”
