Page 35 of The Charming Checklist
“Oh, yeah. Sure, I did.” She cleared her throat. “But now I have to find a new venue.”
Valerie leaned forward. “The answer is pretty obvious to me.”
“It is?” Ava scrunched up her nose.
She was kind of adorable, actually.
“Tippi owns the lighthouse,” Valerie said, turning to Cole. “We should have it there.”
“Oh, no, Tippi would never ask that of you. You pay rent there and she respects your privacy.”
“We’re offering,” Valerie said. “Right, baby?”
“Sure, I don’t mind.” Cole slung an arm over Valerie and pulled her in even closer. “It’s her house.”
“Well... I suppose there might be a way,” Ava said, chewing on her bottom lip.
Her wheels were spinning, and damn it was a beautiful site.
“We could set up an area outside on the beach,” Valerie said.
“A tent, maybe. Some fairy lights,” Ava added.
“People could just spill in and out of the lighthouse,” Valerie said. “Plenty of standing room.”
And they were off.
It wasn’t all that surprising that these two had become such fast friends, even if Ava had had a not-so-secret crush on Cole for a while. They hadn’t dated, but once Valerie showed up that was all she wrote. Cole hadn’t so much as looked at another woman.
Max stared at Cole, who seemed equally uninterested in the party planning. Max nudged his chin to the back office and rose. Cole unwrapped himself from Valerie and followed. When Max opened the door, Sub immediately rose from his dog bed and came to him, wagging his tail. He dispensed pats and rubs, then took a seat on the office chair behind the desk.
“Something wrong?” Cole asked as he rummaged behind the desk and pulled out a small flask.
“Not at all. I was thinking. After today, I’d like to sweeten the pot for Adam.” He stretched his legs. “We’re talking about a decorated leader, Cole. Someone we both owe our lives to. I don’t see him lasting long in that kitchen unless he has a vested interest. Let’s bring him in.”
“As a partner?” Cole set two shot glasses on the desk.
“Absolutely. If he can afford to buy in, and if he’s interested, let’s do it. We can give up some equity and the influx of additional cash will be what we need to up our game.”
“You want to install the digital ordering system, don’t you?” Cole smirked.
“Among many other improvements that will simply make life easier for everyone.”
“If the Historical Society allows us.” Cole poured two shots from the flask.
“Right.”
“Off the subject,” Cole said, “but I was also thinking—did you ever consider that maybe you can’t just approach this ‘looking for a wife’ thing like you do a mission?”
“A mission?” Max squinted. What in the hell was Cole talking about? “I haven’t planned a mission in years.”
“I disagree.” Cole slammed back his shot glass. “Why do you want to get married?”
“It’s time and I’m ready.”
Now Cole squinted at Max. “You know it doesn’t work that way.”
“Yeah.” Max sighed. “I’m beginning to realize that.”
