Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75408 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75408 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
“Brody has done almost everything except for hanging a few shelves up in the loft. I thought we could paint the walls while it’s still empty. Palmer’s going to come and man the front of the store for me while we work.”
Rubbing her hands together, Harlee said, “Let’s get our paint on!”
We spent the next few hours painting the walls a light blue to give it that beachy feel, though the space still had a classy touch. Palmer dealt with the customers up front, so Harlee and I were able to finish painting the back room and the loft area.
When we finished, I turned to look at Harlee—and started laughing. “You’re exactly like Palmer! You have more paint on you than the walls.”
She looked down at her clothes, then back up at me, clearly confused.
I shook my head. “It’s in your hair, all over your hands, and even on the tip of your nose! How is that possible?”
With a shrug, Harlee said, “I think I scratched my nose at one point.”
Palmer walked into the room and gasped. “Wow! It looks so good in here. There’s a delivery, Sutton, for some racks and two pieces of furniture. I told him to go around back.”
“Thanks, I’ll go meet him now.”
Turning on her heels, my sister headed back out to the front of the shop. She looked adorable in a pair of overalls I sold in the store, along with a light green sleeveless shirt. Her dark blonde hair was pulled up into two pigtails.
“How is she still single?” Harlee asked.
I laughed and shrugged. “How are things going with you and Thomas?”
Harlee smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “We’re doing well. Listen, I’m going to close up the paint lids and then head on out. Thomas is taking me to Pete’s Place for dinner tonight.”
I quickly gave her a hug. “Thank you so much! I owe you big time.”
“Nah,” she said with a wave her hand. “Give me free pleasure toys, and we’re golden.”
Laughing, I rushed through the room and out to the back door where I received the bigger deliveries for the shop. A young guy stood there with a clipboard in his hand. “Ms. Bradley?”
“That’s me.”
“I’ve got a delivery of four round racks and two pieces of furniture.”
“Perfect. I’ll show you where to put them.”
A while later, I stood in the middle of my new room. Harlee had taken off after cleaning up the paint mess we’d made. The racks were all stored in the middle of the back room, away from the freshly painted walls. I couldn’t help but smile as I took it all in. I was expanding the store, and that was an exciting thought. But also scary. Especially since my business bank account was sitting at zero.
“Looks amazing in here.”
The sound of Brody’s voice made me jump. “You scared me!”
He smiled. “Sorry about that. I like the color.”
“Thanks. Harlee helped paint, and the racks were delivered a little while ago.”
He nodded and looked around. “You excited about expanding?”
I gestured toward my office, not wanting anyone in the front of the store—or Palmer, for that matter—to overhear me. Once inside, I shut the door and walked around my desk. I needed to put some distance between myself and Brody. He looked too good in his jeans and tight T-shirt that said Welders Do It Best.
With a long sigh, I answered, “I would be more excited if my ex hadn’t robbed me of all of my money.”
“What did your lawyer say?”
“He said the next time Jack shows up, to call the police. Same thing he’s been saying. Every time I call the police, though, he’s gone before they show up.”
Brody closed his eyes, and I could see the frustration on his face. “What about the money, Sutton?”
“The bank froze the account, and they’re looking into it. Since he’s still listed as part owner, they need to see the divorce ruling that says he has to sell to me. It’s a big mess right now.”
A look of anger passed over Brody’s face. “He has the right to fucking drain the account and leave you stranded? How in the hell is that okay?”
I pressed my fingers to my temples to ease the instant ache building there. I had managed to not think about the whole Jack drama for most of the day, but all the stress was coming back now. “I don’t know, Brody. My lawyer sent something to the court saying that Jack left me with no means to pay any bills. He’s confident we’ll be able to get the money back. Meanwhile, Jack thinks he has a hold over me.”
“You haven’t heard from him?”
“No,” I said, my voice cracking with emotion. I’d been trying to put up a good front for the last two days, and it was beginning to take its toll.