Page 35 of Lovewell Lane

“I think he’s just awkward. And very emotionally constipated,” I pondered. “He’s kind. Nothing he ever does is with the intention to get something out of it, but he is just so damngrumpyall the time.”

Scarlet gasped. “Youlikehim.”

“I’m sorry, did you hear what I just said?”

“Yes, and you like him. Holy shit,” Scarlet whispered.

I put my phone between my ear and my shoulder and stared up at my newly patched ceiling, thanks to Derek.

“I have higher standards than him. He’s just… confusing is all.”

“So he’s hot,” Scarlet listed.

“Mhm.” Undeniably so.

“Kind.”

“Not always, but yes.”

“Charming.”

“No.” No one on the planet would call Derek Weston charming. Except for maybe, me. There was something to all his grunts and scowls that captivated me. I wanted to figure out his morse code of sounds.

“Well,youseem charmed by him.”

I placed my forks in a giant container after having sorted them all. “I have enough on my plate with an entire restaurant to run. I don’t have time to have some cliche love affair with my hot older neighbor.”

“Whatever you say then. I want updates on the diner. You said your appliances showed?”

“Mhm. And the sign.”

“And why haven’t you sent me a picture of it yet?”

I dropped what I was doing to go walk out front. “Doing it now.”

“You really are distracted by him. I never took you as the type to forget your friends when you got a man in your life,” Scarlet teased.

Even though she was joking, it stung. That was my biggest pet peeve, especially because it was what my mother had done to me my entire life.

“There isn’t a man in my life, Scar.” I snapped a picture and texted it to her. “You are my one and only.”

“Oh my god, it’sperfect,” she gushed. “I really have a future career in graphic design if I want it.”

I laughed at her preening herself. “You do. I’m proud to hang your artwork up loud and proud for all— well, Honeyfield, to see. Hopefully, we get a few customers so people can appreciate it.”

“Oh, you’re going to rake in crowds. I’m sure.” I didn’t know what to say to that. A long pause hung in the air. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I was just taking stock of what I have left to do today.” I walked back over to the dishwasher to continue sorting silverware. “Did I tell you about the curse?”

“Curse? No, but please refrain if it’s too spooky. You know I get nightmares.”

“I think it’s actually the sappiest curse I’ve ever heard of,” I said.

After relaying the information Lila told me about Mr. and Mrs. Fields breaking up and cursing the town for the rest of eternity, Scarlet sat in silence.

“Wow,” she finally said.

“I know.”

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