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"You at least going to help me?"
"Every last detail," I promise.
21
On Friday morning, I notice my boss finally took back the box of old books since they’ve been here all week and I've made no move toward them.
I can take a hint.
Crazy Charlie is at it again with her weird hobbies.
No, thank you.
I was happy to see it gone when I got back from lunch this afternoon. Maybe Emily got the hint at how annoyed I am. That after all my years and efforts here, it’s still ‘my little project’.
Besides, I have more important things to do. For people who appreciate my good deeds.
We’re a week out from the coordinated bachelor parties. Well, sort of coordinated. Lonnie, Tessa, Pepper and I will be going to a spa in Denver. And the guys will be at Levi’s for poker. Then we're all meeting for dinner at De Lu’s, a fancy seafood restaurant not far from the spa.
No strippers, no dancers, no chance of anything going wrong.
Just unadulterated fun.
Aiden had overheard Noah and I planning and suggested we all come back to the Inn after our rendezvous. He’ll gather some folks from around town for a late-night celebration with booze and small bites.
And then Chase and Pepper can spend the rest of the night together like the love-sick puppies they are.
I clear my desk at two-thirty and set up a quick away message that I’m out of office for the rest of the afternoon.
This morning Noah asked if I could leave work early today because he wanted to talk ‘wedding stuff’. Nowadays it’s the only way to get my attention.
I said no because no matter how slow we are this time of year, I never leave before five.
But when I noticed the children’s books gone, my loyalties to my job took a sharp turn and now, I’m on my way to Noah’s office to surprise him.
I gather my things and reach for my new car keys. On my way out, I find Bethany in the lobby. She’s dressed in a purple cardigan and white cowboy boots. Her colors match my style but she’s much better coordinated than I usually am.
“Charlie, hey.” She jumps off the bench cheerily and skips over to me like we’re old friends.
I clutch my tote and pull back. “What? I mean, hey, Beth.”
“Oh, call me Bee. That’s what Noah calls me.”
God, why does her high-pitched voice bother me so much?
She scans my outfit. “Oh my goodness, I feel like we could share a closet. We should totally shop together.”
“Yeah,” I say uncommittedly, giving her a quick scan myself.
“So what is the deal with you and Noah? You guys have the town talking again.”
“Really? What are they saying?”
She rolls her eyes. “That you’ve somehow weaseled your way back in with a Reeves… That you’re using the excuse of your mom dying and being all alone for comfort.”
Pain pierces my chest for a brief moment until I remember Beth's crush on Noah.
And if there are such rumors, she's likely the source.
