AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Let’s go for a hike, work up an appetite, and then grab dinner. What do you think?”
My mind was spinning. I wasn’t sure I liked him challenging me quite so much anymore.
“As friends?”
“Not yet.”
“What do you mean?”
“We’re not friends yet, but we will be. I’ll pick you up at two o’clock. Don’t forget sunscreen and bug spray.” He strolled to open the door, then turned and aimed a serious look at me. “Nothing romantic about bug spray.” He left, closing the door firmly and quietly behind him.
I felt the need to process this man, so it was with relief that I headed to my office in Milltown Friday morning. Junie and Minty were already in when I got there. Minty should be there first, she had the shortest commute. She owned the building where we leased our office space, and she lived in the apartment above. Junie’s commute was also short as she lived only a short walk away. I drove in from Bridgewater, so I had the longest commute.
I walked in and dropped my bag on my desk. In contrast to my height and curves, my curly brown hair, and what my sister, Mara, called my thunder and lightning eyes, Junie was tiny, had soft, sky blue eyes and long white-blond hair. She looked like a virgin fairy princess bride. Minty was as tall as I was but more softly rounded, with strawberry blond hair perpetually in a bun or a French twist, and clear brown eyes. Minty had the look and demeanor of a wealthy, refined, classy woman, only she was eternally soft-hearted and non-judgmental.
Minty waved an elegant hand in my direction before returning to her notes and Junie mumbled a distracted ‘hey’, not even looking up from her laptop. I plopped down into my chair.
“I met a man.”
Two heads swiveled my way, notes and laptops unceremoniously cast aside.
“Yes? Do tell,” Junie purred.
Minty smiled. “Where?”
“He was part of the rescue crew from last weekend.”
“When Rebecca’s car broke down? I thought it was Rebecca’s hottie who rescued you?” Junie asked.
“He did. With his brother.”
“The plot thickens,” Minty teased.
Minty met Rebecca for the first time the day Rebecca came with me to the craft fair. Junie had known Rebecca for years, crossing paths with her several times. Rebecca, or Bex as she was better known, was my sister Mara’s bestie. Mara, Bex, and I referred to ourselves as the mutual admiration society. I was remarkably close with both, they were my family, but Junie was my bestie.
“Are we going to have to pull teeth or are you going to tell us?” Junie pushed.
“I am going to tell you! Why else would I come in here and announce it if I weren’t going to tell?”
“Well, spit it out! You’re taking forever,” Junie griped, “You know I’ve got dick all going on right now and I need a little vicarious romance.”
“She has a point,” Minty conceded, “it’s been a dry summer.”
“You know, you all could go out and find a little something for yourselves…”
Junie barked out a laugh. “Oh, right, because that has worked out so well for me!”
I winced. She was right. She’d met some real winners over the past year and had recently sworn off men. “There’s somebody out there for you, Junie, you can’t give up hope.”
“I agree, Junie, you’ll find a good one. I, however, am too old for all that angsty bologna. We’re depending on you, Willa, give us something to go on.” Minty urged.
“Fine,” I laughed. “So, Rebecca called Rhys to see if he could pick us up. He was out with his brother having breakfast when Bex called, so they both came, in separate vehicles.” She paused. “Guys, I’m telling you no lie when I say a finer specimen of manliness I have never seen!”
“He has a brother, you say?”
“Spoken for, Junie, no poaching.”
“I wouldn’t poach,” she grumbled, “I was just wondering if there were more.”
