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Chapter 0.5
Hi!Gladyou’rehere.There are some things to note about this book before you get started.
*Possible spoilery things ahead.*
This book is an adult romantic comedy set in a small town in southern Georgia. It’s low angst and everyone will have a happily ever after at the end. Despite that, there are still some things in this book that may upset some readers. I’ve done my best to compile a detailed list of those things, so no one is blindsided.
Here it is:
Mentions of parental death
Mentions of parental abandonment
Mentions of cancer/cancer treatment
Mentions of past cheating (not between the main characters)
Single parenthood
Detailed, on-page, consensual adult content (If you know what I mean)
Dominant behavior during adult content
Edging
Foul language
Alcohol consumption
Childhood bullying/fighting
Classism
Enjoy!
Chapter 1
Harlow
“I’m telling you, Piper,” I say, lowering my empty glass to the table. “I’m serious this time. I’m done with men. They all suck.”
Piper laughs, but then she shrugs, looking at the diamond ring flashing on her left hand. “I don’t know,” she says. “Some of them are okay.”
I roll my eyes at her because it’s obvious she’s been blinded by love and great sex. And maybe by that shiny diamond on her finger.
“You found the last decent man in Georgia,” I say, referring to Luke Wolfe, the man who put that diamond on her finger and the smile on her face. “The rest are trash.”
Piper laughs again. We both know I don’t really believe all men are trash. But when you’ve been let down by as many men as I have in the past few years, it starts to feel like they’re all the same. But I’ve seen the way Luke treats Piper, so I know good men are out there. It just sometimes feels like all the good guys are either taken or fictional.
Piper and Luke haven’t even been dating for a year, but it’s clear those two are head-over-heels in love. I wasn’t surprised in the least when Piper showed up at my salon last week sporting the gorgeous ring on her left hand. I’d gushed over the rock while she’d told me the romantic story of how Luke had proposed. It really is a beautiful ring, and Luke is an amazing guy. But that isn’t enough to convince me not to give up on the dating game. I’m sick of wasting my time getting to know some guy and believing he’s different, only to find out I’m wrong again and he’s another loser. No, thank you. I’m over it.
“You ever think that maybe you’ve been looking in the wrong place?” Piper’s sister Layna chimes in from her seat across from me.
I scoff. “I shouldn’t have to go on some kind of epic quest to find a good man. I’m not searching for lost treasure here. I’m just looking for a decent guy who won’t cheat on me or steal from me. A guy who will occasionally hold open the door for me and let me use the only umbrella when it’s raining. One who remembers to put the damned toilet seat down, so I don’t fall in when I get up to pee in the middle of the night! It’s literally the bare minimum. It’s not rocket science.”
We all laugh, but I’m not completely joking. My list of items for what constitutes a decent man has gotten smaller over the past few years. I don’t think I’m asking for much, but it seems like I have a knack for finding losers, liars, and cheaters. The last two guys I dated both cheated on me. The guy before that stole my TV before he left. What kind of person steals someone’s TV during a break-up? A loser. That’s what kind. Which brings me back to being done with men.
I refill my glass from the pitcher of margaritas in the center of the table and take a large sip. I’d insisted on this girl’s night out with Piper after the most recent loser broke things off via text. I’m not really all that upset over him ending things. It’s not like we were soulmates or anything. But when a guy who couch-surfs his way across the county and can’t keep a job dumps you, your pride takes a hit. I can’t even hang on to a guy who doesn’t have a place to stay or steady employment? What’s wrong with me?
