Page 170 of Champagne Nights

“Good. We made lots of cookies. I brought some home for you.”

I set the tin on the counter and took off the lid. Inside sat different kinds of Christmas cookies, and they looked delicious.

“Don’t eat them all. I want to give some to Keaton.”

I raised my brow at her. “Really?” I signed.

“Yes. I told him I would give him some.”

“And when did you tell him this?”

“Today, when he texted me. We exchanged phone numbers last night before we left.”

I stood there, and all I kept thinking was that she was only here for two weeks, and then she’d be back in Texas.

“I’m taking you to the pier tomorrow.” I smiled as I signed.

“Can Paisley come with us?”

“Yes. I already asked her.”

“Good. I like her, and I want to get to know her better. If you don’t mind, I’m going to go to my room and read. I’m a little tired.”

“Good night, sweetheart.” I kissed her forehead.

As she walked away, she stopped and turned to me. “I’m really happy to be here. I love you, Ben.”

“I love you too, Leah.” I signed.

I pulled my phone from my pocket when it beeped with a text message. A wide smile fell upon my face when I saw it was from Paisley.

“Hi there. What time should I be over tomorrow?”

“I was going to pick you up.”

“I can drive over. It’s no big deal.”

“I’d rather pick you up.”

“Lol. Okay, if you insist.”

“Great. We’ll be over around ten o’clock. I can’t wait to see you again.”

“I can’t wait to see you either.”

Paisley

Romeo nudged me and meowed in my ear. He wanted food, and I wanted to sleep. I looked over at the clock. It was six thirty.

“Please, Romeo, just give me thirty more minutes,” I said as I rolled over away from him.

“Meow.” He wasn’t stupid. He climbed over me until he was in my face again.

I sighed because I was up all night thinking about Ben and how we were spending the day together today.

“All right. All right. I’m getting up.”

Romeo followed me into the kitchen and sat next to his food bowl. After filling his dish, I popped a K-cup in the Keurig and checked my phone. There was a text message from Charlotte.

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