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1
LOTTIE
Today is a good day in Kiss County.
Spring in Small Town isn’t usually anything to sneeze at. Stuck between the rush of Valentine’s and the buzz of wedding season, love isn’t always in the air. But today. Oh, today!
Today is a good day.
Because today is the day I meet the man of my dreams.
I can feel it in my bones. There’s a certain sparkle in the air and a lightness to my step, like I’m wearing invisible cupid wings or something.
Today is the day. I can feel it.
“You’re in a good mood, Lottie,” Tish says as she rounds the counter on her way to the coffeepot.
I grin, not even trying to hide it. “As a matter of fact, I am,” I say.
“Does this mean the rumors were true?” she asks. “Did a certain hot new single dad move in across the street today?”
“Yup. Saw the moving truck arrive myself this morning.” I prop my head up on my palms and sigh. “I’m going to fall in love today, Tish.”
Tish’s youthful eyes grow wider. “Did you get a look at him?”
I deflate. “Unfortunately, no. He and his progeny didn’t arrive with the truck.”
“Should have taken a sick day,” she jokes.
“Oh, I would have, but then you’d be stuck here working the lunch rush all by yourself.”
“I’m sure I could find it in my lonely heart to forgive you.”
I throw on an empathetic pout. “Are you lonely?”
“Eh. It’ll pass. I’m still young and hot.”
“Yes, you are.”
“There’s plenty of time for me to meet the one,” she says as she playfully twirls her auburn ponytail. “In the meantime, I’ll live vicariously through you. So, what if the other ladies on your block get to him first?”
“I’m not worried about that,” I say confidently. “Out of all the women on my street, only two of them aren’t married: me and Pamela Palmdale. And I have something Pam doesn’t.”
“What’s that?”
“Liam! Obviously.”
She smiles. “Your kid is cute.”
“So cute! Everything leans in my favor. I’m a single mom. He’s a single dad. He has way more in common with me than with Pam.”
“Way more baggage, though,” she points out.
I scoff. “Do not call my son baggage.”
“Of course I’m not talking about Liam!” Tish says. “I’m talking about Mark.”
“Oh. Right.” I roll my eyes. “He’s pretty heavy. But… I remain optimistic. The air is different today, Tish. It’s like everything I’ve been waiting for is coming. Everything I’ve been working toward is about to pay off.”
