AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“We’re all set,” Marc says. “Put a sign on the door of the surf shop stating that the location is closed with the address for the nearest Wax and Waves. And I’ll send a crew over there tomorrow to get the merchandise out of there so you guys can get started.”
We both nod, thanking him again. He’s given us an amazing opportunity, and we’re both grateful for it.
After we say goodbye, Cam and I walk out of Marc’s house with smiles on our faces. I know the whole ride home is going to be spent going over all the different ideas, but as I see Laiken’s text telling me how happy she is for us, last night plays through my mind once more, and I come up with an idea of my own.
THE EXCITEMENT RUNNING THROUGHmy veins is better than adrenaline. I’ve spent most of my life just trying to get through to the next day, but for the first time, I feel like I have something to look forward to. And it’s only going to get better from here.
Cam and I walk into his house, and as we enter the kitchen, my eyes land on Laiken. She has her hair pulled back and she’s dressed in an oversized t-shirt and a pair of loose shorts. It’s such a casual, don’t-give-a-fuck look, but she still manages to take my breath away.
She takes a step toward me, but her eyes stay on her brother. “I’m going to kiss him, so if you’re going to whine about it, I suggest you look away.”
He mocks her and flips her off before giving me an up nod. “I’ll catch you later.”
The second he goes up a few steps and turns the corner, Laiken jumps into my arms, pressing her lips to mine in a bruising kiss. “I am so fucking proud of you.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you,” I tell her honestly.
She hums. “Totally not true, but I’ll take it.”
Kissing her once more, I put her down. “I can’t stick around. I have to go down to the shop and put a sign on the door. But I was wondering if you have any plans tomorrow.”
She squints and looks up toward the ceiling. “I don’t think so. Why?”
“I want to take you somewhere. Can you be ready by nine?”
Surprise takes over her features. “Nine? In the morning? Do I get to know what’s getting you out of bed that early?”
I shake my head. “Nope.”
She pouts but I lean forward and press a quick kiss to her lips. I turn around and go to leave, when something dawns on me, and I glance back at her.
“Do you want to go for a ride?”
Her grin widens as she bites on the tip of her thumb. “In your truck or on you?”
And that’s all I need to hear before I walk over and pick her up, throwing her over my shoulder as she squeals.
SURPRISES HAVE NEVER REALLYbeen my thing. I’m not good at coming up with them, and even when I do, I manage to let something about it slip before it happens. But this time I got lucky. Only needing to keep the secret for less than a day is manageable.
I had planned on picking Laiken up in the morning, but being as she slept at my place again, I had to bring her back to hers to change instead. I offered to take her out to breakfast, but when we noticed no one was home, I opted to eat her instead.
The diner’s choices just don’t compare.
Now we’re in my truck, and as my phone tells me we’re getting close, I’m starting to get nervous. What if this was a stupid idea? What if she doesn’t want anything to do with this? What if she thinks I’m insane for bringing her along?
I see the sign outside of the house, and the realtor’s car parked in front. I pull up behind her as Laiken looks around.
“H?” she asks. “What are we doing here?”
An anxious smile stretches across my face. “Well, with the deal Marc made us, I have a decent amount of extra money, and I was thinking about buying my own place with it.”
She bites her lip as she thinks about the exact same thing I did when I got the idea. “Do that. You should definitely do that.”
My nerves settle in an instant. “I’d really love to have your input.”
Her head turns to look at the house and then back to me. “This is going to be fun.”
We get out of the car and I introduce Ramona, my realtor, to Laiken. Ramona begins briefing us on the property as she leads us to the front door, only for Laiken to add her two cents.
