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I nod once. “I can always count on you for the truth.”
“Charly has been through a lot. All I’m asking is that you be nice.”
“I’m nice.”
Nana throws her head back, and laughs. “Would Charly agree?”
I grind my teeth, and look away.
“Carry on with your day, my boy.” She closes the door behind her as she exits the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
I peer down at the backyard, watching the specks of sunlight dance across the surface of the pool water. I’ve been numb, living the same mundane existence every day for years. But today, my skin feels tight, and my gut is clenched in a vice grip. My gaze skates over to my house, where Charly is, filling it with her sweet scent of peaches and vanilla. I can feel her presence like a sucker punch from all the way across the yard.
What is that about?
I don’t know this woman. I shouldn’t be this captivated by someone I’ve just met. Plenty of guests have come through the doors of the inn. Plenty of young women looking for a fun time with their friends on a girl’s trip. She should be no different.
Yet the corner of my mouth pulls into a smirk at the memory of her rambling about my manly swinging parts. Which is why I need to stay far away from her—albeit an impossible feat, since she’s living in my house. Five minutes with Charly, and my rusty smile is cracking through.
It’s unsettling.
I roll my shoulders, and close my eyes. Sharing my safe haven with this woman for the next few weeks will be hell.
Sweet, glorious, blissful hell.
Charly
Manly swinging parts?!
I grimace as I survey my appearance in the mirror over the bathroom sink. “Who says that?”
Dinner with Beatrice is in ten minutes, and nerves crawl under my skin like a colony of ants. She said Bryce will be cooking—which intrigues me more than it should—so maybe that means he won’t be eating with us—which disappoints me more than it should.
Why am I thinking about him at all? He was rude and unfriendly, and he could’ve shown a little hospitality being that the room I paid for was not available. I just need to keep my distance, and hope these next two weeks pass quickly. I swipe some clear gloss along my bottom lip, and return to my bedroom to FaceTime Jenny.
“Damn, girl! Look at you.” Jenny’s brown eyes widen. “Move the phone back. Let me get the full effect.”
I grin as I hold the phone out in front of me. My pale-yellow maxi dress is a soft jersey material. It’s just casual enough to not look like I’m trying too hard, but the high slit up my left leg gives it a touch of sexiness. I’d be lying if I said I chose this dress for any reason other than making Bryce’s eyes pop out of his head. He nearly choked on his tongue when I asked him if he slept naked. But after I slipped into the dress, and styled my hair, I felt the start of something new spark inside me. Something more than wanting to look good for someone else.
“I haven’t had the energy to get dressed up for anything in a while. It feels good.”
“See? You’re already getting your groove back. Where are you going?”
“I’m having dinner with Beatrice tonight, and I guess whatever guests are staying at the inn.”
“Bed and breakfasts are so strange to me.” Jenny’s nose wrinkles. “Eating and sleeping with strangers in your own home? No thank you.”
A laugh bursts out of me. “Then you’re going to die when you hear what I’ve got to tell you.”
Jenny gasps and slaps a hand over her mouth when I tell her about my living arrangements with Bryce. “She should’ve told you this before you trekked all the way to Maine. That’s entrapment.”
I roll my eyes. “It’s not her fault. If the storm didn’t blow a tree through her building, this wouldn’t have happened.” I slide open the top drawer of my nightstand, and unfold the bucket list. “Mom told me she wanted me to go on an adventure. To be spontaneous. I can’t run away the second I feel uncomfortable. I have to do this for her.”
Jenny blows out a low whistle. “I get it, babe. I do. But is this safe? I mean, what if this guy is a freak? You need to keep your door locked when you’re sleeping.”
“I will. Though I have a feeling he won’t be around much.” He practically ran out of here after our conversation in the kitchen, like he couldn’t wait to get as far away from me as possible.
Jenny’s chin jerks back. “Hold on. Why are you smiling like that?”
