“Yeah?”
“You look really pretty today,” Maisie said with a smile.
“No, I look awful. Everyone’s said so.”
“Who told you that? I’ll kickalltheir asses. You look beautiful.”
“I had a whole bottle of wine by myself last night and didn’t sleep much,” she confessed.
“Well, that works for you, then,” Maisie said. “Must be the expensive wine.”
“It was,” India said. “Five hundred a bottle.”
“Good Lord!” Maisie laughed. “I could buy so many books for the shop with that.”
India laughed as well and replied, “That’s not even my most expensive bottle.”
“Don’t tell me. I don’t want to know.” Maisie waved her off. “Hey, you’re out at work, right? I assumed so because of Finley, but wanted to check.”
“Yes, I’m out. Why?”
Maisie stood and moved to India’s side of the table.
“I’ll pick you up at six. Dress casually,” she said before she leaned down and pecked India on the lips. “Like, casual for a normal person, babe; not casual for you.”
India was so taken aback by the term of endearment and the sweet kiss that all she could do was nod in response. Then, she watched Maisie walk out the front door and back toward her shop, waving as she passed India, who was still sitting at the table.
CHAPTER 23
“Ithought you said you weren’t testing her anymore,” Lainey noted as she sat on Maisie’s sofa next to Paige.
“I’m not.”
“Really? Look where you’re taking her. I doubt she’s ever even seen–”
“She might not know they exist,” Paige interrupted.
“Right,” Lainey replied.
“Would you two just go home?” Maisie laughed. “I have to go pick her up, and I’m nervous.Youare not helping.”
“Why are you nervous? You’ve been out with her before,” Lainey replied as she stood and held out her hand for Paige to take.
“Because tonight feels different. It feels like a new beginning.”
“A new beginning from the one you had yesterday?” Lainey asked.
“I’ll apologize for her,” Paige said, standing up and taking Lainey’s hand. “She’s been under a lot of stress lately and is extra punchy.”
Lainey laughed and said, “I just meant that I don’t get what’s making this feel new.”
“It feels like we’ve put things out on the table today. I know about Colter and how she feels about me. She knows I like her and want this to happen.”
“You didn’t know that before?” Lainey asked.
Maisie walked out of the bathroom where she had been getting ready and said, “I did, but I guess it felt different today. She told me she never gave in to Finley when they were together, but she’s been flexible with me, you know? I think that means something.”
“I hope it meansphysicallyflexible, because–”
