“Y’all don’t be shy,” she said, her smile so wide it stretched her cheeks. “Help yourself.”
Anita leaned against the back of the couch. “I already filled up on snacks.” She gestured to the food on the table that also included a small fruit tray and pumpkin-shaped cookies that looked so good they had to be from the café. Riley and Olivia nodded their agreement.
“Then take some home with you. I’ve already had myfair share.” Three to be exact, and she didn’t need to eat any more of them—not when she’d also had a large piece of the chess pie. That combined with the caffeine from the coffee had given her a killer case of indigestion that also contributed to her lack of sleep.
“Thanks, Harper. Hayden will devour these.” Riley smiled.
“So will Tanner,” Anita added.
Olivia looked at the cupcakes. “I’ll take one before I leave.”
“Thank you.” She’d figure out what to do with the rest of them later. “Again, I’m sorry I’m late. I’m here, though. Does that count?”
“Of course it does,” Anita said, her brow furrowing. “You look a little tired, though.”
“Baking wore me out,” Harper said, waving her hand. “I’m not used to being so domestic.”
Riley cracked a smile as she crossed her legs, revealing the purple, orange, and black hand-knitted socks she was wearing with her ever-present Birkenstock sandals.
Cute.“What did I miss?” Harper asked.
“We bagged all the candy for the parade,” Olivia said. “And we were just about to vote on our name.”
“For the thousandth time,” Anita mumbled.
Olivia scoffed. “It hasn’t been that many.”
“Close to it,” Riley said dryly.
“What are the choices?” Harper was eager to see if any iteration of the wordsLadiesandLattewere involved.
“The Lattes,” Olivia said, smiling at Harper. “The BBBs.”
“What does that stand for?”
“Bosom Buddies Besties.” Riley chuckled. “We’re running out of ideas, as you can see.”
Olivia nodded. “And number three is—”
Harper’s phone rang, and she glanced at the screen. Ugh. Of course she’d get this call right now. She grabbed the phone off the chair. “I’m sorry, y’all, I have to get this. I’ll just be a second.”
“It’s getting close to nine,” Olivia pointed out.
“I promise I’ll be quick. It’s not like you don’t know my vote already.” She hurried to the front of the store. Since Knots and Tangles was already closed, the only light available came from the few lampposts outside on Main Street. Reluctantly she answered the phone. “Thanks for returning my call, Brielle.”Two days later.
“I hope I’m not calling too late.”
Brielle’s fake singsong voice didn’t fool Harper. She took a deep breath. If she was going to snag a showing for Rusty, she had to play the game. “Of course not. I’mgladto hear from you. When can my client see the Miles Road property?”
“Unfortunately, it’s under contract.”
Harper stilled. “When did that happen?”
“Sunday afternoon.”
Unbelievable. Not only had Brielle ignored her messages on Sunday, but she’d waited another two days to let her know the property wasn’t available.
“I’msosorry I didn’t call you earlier, but real estate is hot right now. I’ve set a new sales record this month. You know how it is, don’t you?”
