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“I’m sure you’ll adjust just fine,” I offer.
“We should probably go inside,” Tristan says, escorting Piper inside. Easton places his arm on my shoulder.
“Aren’t you glad I’m not your crazy protective bodyguard,” he whispers in my ear.
"Oh, you aren't?" I turn and meet his eyes as we go to the stockroom. Several employees go in and out from the back, grabbing more items.
"I didn't expect you two to show up!" Easton says, hugging Piper.
“Are you surprised?” She asks.
“Of course I am,” he tells her. “It’s been so long.”
“Good! Tonight, I have something really special planned for us after you close. I mean, if you’re available. Don’t feel obligated if you have something planned.”
Easton turns to me, and I smile. "We'd love to join you."
“We need some more change,” Nova says.
"We better let you two get back to it. You've got a store full of customers to take care of," Tristan says. "We're probably going to go out the back. Check out the beach house, then meet you back here."
"Sounds good," Easton tells me. We say our goodbyes then immediately go out to the front. Easton and I run around like chickens with our heads cut off, and when the last customer of the day finally leaves, we're all ready to collapse.
“That was worse than Black Friday,” Aubree admits.
“It was.” Easton clears his throat. “Just want to tell you all thank you so much for working today. I’ve decided to pay you all time and a half. The schedule has been posted for the rest of the week, and if we keep this up, I’ll probably need to hire a few more people, so let your friends know. Now, let’s clean this place up and get out of here.”
They let out hoots and hollers then we work as a team to clean up and restock. Easton counts the money in the drawers, and when he's done, shock is written all over his face.
I lean across the counter and tap next to the register with my hand. “Everything okay?”
“We sold over a hundred thousand dollars worth of items,” he mutters. “How is this possible?”
A laugh escapes me. “I believe it. The place was packed for eight hours straight with a constant line outside.”
“I’m a little overwhelmed by this,” he admits.
I move around the counter. “Did you recount to make sure?”
"I triple counted. It's right. Damn." A wide grin slides across Easton's lips, and I hold up my hand. He gives me a high five and lets out a woot.
“Seriously, that’s a record.”
I stand on my tiptoes and kiss him. “You deserve it, love.”
“We do,” he tells me.
After everyone leaves and the place is locked up, we go upstairs. Easton and I both fall back on the couch, my feet killing me from standing for so long. Thirty minutes later, Piper and Easton arrive.
“The beach house is gorgeous,” Piper says, sitting right next to me on the couch. “How’d today go?”
Easton tells her how much money he dropped off to deposit, and Tristan is shocked. Piper gives him a knowing nod. “I won the bet,” she tells Tristan. “You’re paying up.”
“That’s not fair. You made sure people would show up. We bet before you had your friends come and greet people,” Tristan explains.
"A bet is a bet," Piper snaps back, smirking.
“Wait, you two bet on how much I’d make?” Easton asks.
"Yes, and just know who was on your side," Piper tells him. "Me. I said you'd make over six figures, and Tristan said you wouldn't."
“I’m glad you lost,” he tells his brother, and we all burst into laughter.
“I deserve that,” Tristan says. “I’m glad it all worked out for the best.”
“So, what did you guys have in mind for tonight?” Easton asks, looking between Piper and Tristan.
“It’s a surprise,” Piper tells us, then looks down at her phone. “Are we ready?”
“Yes.” I stand, overly excited about what we’re going to do tonight.
We make our way downstairs, and there's a limo waiting for us on the street. As soon as we climb in, Tristan pours us all a glass of champagne, except for Piper. Then Piper pulls out the chocolate-covered strawberries and takes one.
“So good,” she says, snatching another one. We make small talk for about thirty minutes until we pull into the airport.
“Wait, where are we going?” Easton asks, realizing.
“I said it was a surprise! Don’t try to ruin it now!” Piper playfully scolds. “You’ll be back in time to open the shop in the morning.”
Tristan chuckles as I wait with anticipation as I see a helicopter sitting on a pad.
“Whoa,” I whisper. “Are we getting on that?”
“Yes, yes we are,” Piper states. “I can’t wait to see Florida from above.”
The limo comes to a stop, and the driver opens our door. We're escorted onto the helicopter that's got comfortable leather seats. Each of us is given a headset so we can still chat with one another while we're in the air.
