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Good lord. What a bunch of bullshit. Men are all the same. They all flatter you and make you feel good for a minute… and then let you down the second things get hard.
River tries to pull me closer. The scent of whiskey is strong on his breath. I push him away and put a few inches between us, pinning him with a serious look.
“You’re drunk, River,” I remind him.
“I told you already. I’m very much not.” He pushes a hand through his hair and gives me an easy smile. “Just think about my offer. I’ll give you multiple orgasms. You’ll have control. We can go on dates… or I can just be a late-night booty call on speed dial.”
“It kinda sound like you’re just drunk, horny, and full of yourself.” I screw up my face, and he laughs.
“Oh, Pearl. Just you wait. We could even pretend that we’re in a serious relationship and rub it in Bishop’s face.”
I roll my eyes. “I have to go inside, River.”
River’s eyes glint. “Wear pretty panties the next few days. Because I am going to be back here in the light of day. And I’m going to rip them off and eat that pretty pussy, Pearl.”
A ripple of electricity shoots through my body, and heat floods to my cheeks. River doesn’t know this, but explicit dirty talk really turns me on.
That dimple in his cheek flashes again as he grins. “Think about it.”
He raises his hands and backs away, turning around and heading back into the shadows. I press my hand to my heart and swallow. I said I don’t want a one-night stand, but what if I look at this from a different angle?
River is hot. He’s not planning on staying in town forever.
Maybe I should ask him to be my sperm donor. No strings attached, of course. Then we would both get what we want.
Seven
River
Pulling my truck to a stop near the little pod of food carts, I grab aspirin from a bottle I keep in the cab. I wasn’t drunk last night but damn if I don’t feel hungover today. I guess I didn’t get enough water in my system before I went to sleep. I chase the pills down with a bottle of water as I get out on the street.
From here, I can see downtown South Shore and the silhouettes of two construction cranes. That would be where my brother Cole is building a hotel to service the training camp that he’s building with Rex.
I keep an eye on the construction as I head toward the food carts. That’s the origin of my planned resort. If the town is already going to be getting a huge boost in tourism, the next step is to capitalize on it by adding a resort.
I wince as I hear a heavy saw whirring in the distance. I’m usually used to the bangs and high-pitched whines that are the sounds of construction.But my hangover is pretty dire by now.
Thus, the agreement to meet Lucy for lunch here, at my favorite pho cart. It’s my go-to after I’ve spent the preceding night making not the greatest decisions.
The carts are arranged in a loose circle, with shaded picnic tables in the middle. As I walk through the circle, I shade my eyes against the bright midday light, looking for Lucy. It’s pretty packed here at lunch time, and nearly every one of the fifteen tables is occupied by hungry townspeople.
I make a note of how full the pod is. When the resort is complete, we will draw a lot of this lunch hour traffic away from it. But Pho Queen will have a permanent spot at the resort.
They just don’t realize it yet.
“River!” Lucy waves at me from a crowded table. “Over here!”
The most amazing pho I’ve ever had in my life will have to wait a few minutes. Diligently, I head over to Lucy’s table. She’s eating a big bowl of pho already and she slurps up a noodle as I approach. My soon-to-be sister-in-law sits across from her, looking as blonde, bubbly, and lovely as ever. Next to Lucy is a young woman with thick black hair and warm brown eyes tilted at a sharp angle. She is getting up to leave as I arrive. Savannah rushes to make the introduction.
“River, this is Grace. Grace, this is Lucy’s brother, River.”
“Hello. I think I saw you at Savannah’s engagement party.” She checks her watch before giving me a hurried smile. “Sorry to run, but I’m due for a shift at the hospital. Lucy, text me about that philosophy project if you want.”
Savannah stands up with a smile and picks up a tray. “I should get moving too. Charlie has a half day at school today, and I’m supposed to pick him up soon. River, nice to see you.”
She gives Lucy a little hug and then the two women hurry off, whispering to each other.
A smile tugs Lucy’s lips as she watches them go. “Pearl’s going to be disappointed that she missed them.”
