Page 53 of Resting Beach Face
My phone rang on the drive back to the B&B, but I didn’t have my Bluetooth on, so I let it go to voicemail. When I got inside, I put away the groceries and changed into some work clothes to head over to The Roost. The place was a mess, and I didn’t want Cash to waste his time with cleanup.
It was nearing six, but this time of year it stayed light until around nine o’ clock, so I had plenty of light. I grabbed cleaning supplies, along with a broom and dustpan, and headed across the yard.
My phone rang just as I got started. Shoot, I’d forgotten about that missed call. My sister’s name flashed up on the Caller ID. I rolled my eyes. Of course she was calling again.
She’d texted me almost immediately after the birthday party chat to say,Please tell me you’re going to rob that cradle!
There’d been a string of suggestive emojis.
I’d pretended I didn’t know what she meant. I had enough hangups about Cash without thinking about our age difference. Honestly, that had barely registered with me. Maybe because Cash was far more experienced than me with romantic entanglements.
Or at least, sexual ones.
I was tempted to ignore Monroe’s call, but then she’d really give me hell. I propped the phone on the counter and hit the Speaker button. “Hey, I’m busy.”
“Busy doing that gorgeous man all but drooling over you?”
I sighed. Well, I’d walked right into that one. “No, I’m cleaning out The Roost. Cash”—she drew her breath in,expecting news she would not get—“is starting repairs out here in a couple days.”
“Because he’s good with his hands?” she asked hopefully.
“Monroe,” I growled. “Grow up.”
She snickered. “Never!”
At my unimpressed silence, she relented. “Okay, so he’s helping you with repairs at the B&B. Tell me more about how that happened?”
My stomach fluttered as the memory of that night flooded back. Cash stepping close, eyes pleading.Kiss me.
He’d been so warm and solid when he hugged me. That was the most difficult part of pushing Cash away. The affection that poured off him was like rays of sunlight, and I was a plant left in the shade too long.
But even if Cash could accept what I could offer—prickly thorns and all—I was leaving Swallow Cove soon. There was no reason to start anything now.
I pushed the broom across the floor, sweeping the trash into piles, while I filled Monroe in on the more detailed plans Cash and I had made for the B&B.
“A greenhouse,” she said when I’d paused for breath. “Wow. That’s…”
“Ambitious?” I said with a chuckle. “Aunt Millie always wanted one.”
She hummed. “I bet you’d love one too.”
“Well, yes, but it’s not for me.”
“Right.” Her tone was airy.
“I’m selling the B&B.”
“I know.”
I paused, brow furrowing. “Then why don’t you sound like you believe me?”
“I believe that’s your plan,” she said. “As for what will actually happen? I guess we’ll see.”
Well, that wasn’t infuriatingly cryptic or anything.
My phone beeped. “I’ve got a call. I should go.”
“Yeah, maybe it’s Cash,” she teased. “Ready to behandy.”
