Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91357 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91357 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Nicole, she’d decided, was fate, or she would be once Macy tasted Nicole’s baked goods. She’d promised to bring some items by as well.
They brainstormed for more than an hour. Nicole added her thoughts, and Aunt Lulu—she insisted Nicole call her that too—promised she’d incorporate everything they’d discussed into a more thorough plan. She’d already been scoping out the old bakery Sam had mentioned to her the other day. She suggested that they each put in the same amount of money and approach the bank for a startup loan to cover the other costs and get started.
Everything about Aunt Lulu’s plan was professional, and since the Donovan family had been in business for years, Nicole had even more confidence in Aunt Lulu and her abilities. Still, Nicole would ask around town about her reputation . . . just in case.
During their talk, Nicole’s phone rang twice. Tyler’s name showed up both times. She winced, knowing she’d have to call him later today and make it clear she wasn’t going to change her mind about ending their engagement. She was not looking forward to the conversation.
After wrapping things up with Aunt Lulu, Nicole headed to the grocery store for a major food-shopping excursion. Once she arrived back at the apartment and started to put away all her staples and other items, Nicole stepped back and eyed the place in dismay. The cabinets were full, and she’d had to stack things on the counters, cutting into what little working space there’d been to start with.
As much as she liked her apartment over Joe’s—loved that it was in the center of town and had a month-to-month lease—the tiny space was slowly driving her insane. And she hadn’t been there long. Her old apartment in Manhattan hadn’t been huge, but it did provide room when she dove into baking. Here she hadn’t even been able to unpack her beloved mixer and other countertop appliances.
She’d thought she could make do until she decided whether she’d get a job or attempt to open her own bake shop, but she was wrong.
She’d need to make another move, and soon. She needed her laptop to see what was available. Grabbing her bag, she opened the door—and came face-to-face with a vase full of flowers. “What the . . . ?”
“Umm . . . surprise?” Sam moved the vase away from his face. “You didn’t give me a chance to knock.”
She looked him over, taking in his weekend appearance. A worn pair of jeans, a black T-shirt, and stubble gave him a scruffy, appealing look, and pleasure rushed through her at the sight of him.
“Hi.” She smiled, and he grinned at her in return.
“I obviously caught you leaving.”
She nodded. “I was going to look online and see what houses or condos are available to rent. I thought this place was cute when I first found it, but it’s too small. I can’t bake anything substantial here, and I’m feeling claustrophobic.”
“I can understand.”
She glanced at his full hands, realizing how rude she was being, and stepped aside. “I’m sorry. Come on in.”
He held out the flowers, and she felt herself blush as she accepted them. “Thank you. They’re beautiful.”
His gaze met hers.
He didn’t say so are you, but the way he looked at her, devouring her with his eyes as if he could see her inside and out, made her feel all kinds of special.
She set the bouquet down on her counter, where she’d have a good view of them from wherever she sat in the apartment, looked at him, and grinned.
“What’s that smile for?” he asked.
She glanced at the flowers once more. “They’re daisies. I love daisies.”
“I’m glad. I wanted to get you something different.”
“Why?” she couldn’t help but ask.
“Because you’re different,” he said in a deep voice, and her entire body flushed hot.
He glanced around the small apartment. So did she, viewing the one counter in the kitchen and the bed that remained in her peripheral vision. Yep, it was time.
“Want company on your hunt for a new place to live?” he asked.
She raised an eyebrow. “Really? You want to spend your day off helping me house or condo hunt?”
“I want to spend my day off with you.”
She did a happy dance, at least inside. “Okay, then. Let’s go check the ads.” She grabbed her purse from the counter and swiped the keys off the hook on the wall.
Hours later, Nicole had discovered that for a small town, a variety of rentals were available and not all offered the same things. From condos like the one Cara had lived in, to an apartment complex downtown, to rooms for rent in a freestanding home, Nicole had her choice, and she and Sam had walked through every one.
Her legs ached; she was exhausted and ready to call it quits. “I don’t mean to be so picky, but nothing we saw works for me.”