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“And I still haven’t found a new place.” I massage my scalp with my fingers. “I’ve been so distracted these past few days that I almost forgot. And a small part of me was hoping we’d be successful at the gala.”

“I’m sorry, Robin,” Kora says, her tone full of empathy. “I’ll continue to help you.”

I shake my head. “I just need to decide. Pick a place out of the ones the real estate agent sent over. But you know me. I’m not good at making decisions.”

“We can make a pros and cons list for every place. Or just draw one from a hat,” she suggests.

“I’m going to pick one today. If I haven’t decided by tomorrow, then please punch me.”

“I won’t punch you, but I’ll hold you accountable in other ways. I don’t think Hayden would like it very much if I so much as shoved you.”

I smile at her, but a weight settles over my chest. I wish I could go back to how happy and carefree I felt last night, but reality is crushing down on me hard. I have so much to figure out, and I suddenly remember that we were supposed to talk to the mayor yesterday. Well, he probably witnessed what happened, and it seems like the rumors have spread like a wildfire through Cottondale, so I highly doubt we’ll get a permit now. Which means we need to pick another location. Great. Everything is just great.

I pick up my coffee and take another big sip. I’m not sure caffeine will be enough to get me through this day. I might have to add whiskey to it.

“What are you going to do about the Hayden situation?” Kora asks gently.

“Honestly? I don’t know,” I say, my eyes transfixed on a bird in my garden.

“You could talk to him about it.”

“I don’t want to be that girl who immediately asks the ‘what are we’ question after we hook up once.”

“Well, maybe not that, but you could at least ask if this was a one-time thing.”

I nod. “Yes, I guess I should do that. I know he likes me and is attracted to me. I just don’t know what that means for him. This is why I hate dating.” I sit upright with a jolt, slapping my forehead with the palm of my hand. “I forgot to ask you about your date! I am such a bad friend.”

Kora waves me off. “There was no way I wanted to talk about my date without hearing your juicy story first.”

“But still, I want to know. How did it go?”

“It was fine.” She shrugs, sounding disinterested. “He’s nice to look at and not completely boring.”

“What a glowing endorsement.”

“Eh, you know me. I’m not looking for much. I’ll end it in a few weeks anyway.”

“But you’ll go out with him again?”

“I think so,” she says, sounding not the least bit thrilled.

“We have to find someone you actually get excited about for once.”

I love that Kora is so outgoing and always actively dating, but things never seem to last for her. In all fairness, she is always the one who breaks it off, but I can’t help wondering if she ever yearns for more. Any time I bring it up, she just shrugs and says a relationship is not for her because she only wants to have fun.

“If I ever get hyped up about a man, then please kill me.”

“It will be someone deserving of your attention.”

“Keep on dreaming,” she says, picking up our empty plates. “Let’s go inside. It’s getting too hot out here. And we’ll start on that pros and cons list.”

I groan. “Ugh, fine.”

Hayden: I have good news. I talked to Darlene and filled her in on what we have planned so far. I confessed that we didn’t have a chance to talk to the mayor, and guess what?

Robin: what?

Hayden: She called him and they’re getting us the permit