Page 164 of Dove
Eddie had a “better to ask for forgiveness than permission” mindset.
Josh sent a quick message, but we didn’t have to wait long for a reply. As if waiting, Eddie’s acceptance to the offer came through a minute later.
Josh read the text then looked up at me. “He’s already on his way.”
I laughed. “God, he really was bored.”
“Yeah, I think we’re doing Haven a favor, honestly.”
A bored Eddie was not something you wanted unleashed on the town. People hated to see him coming, and it was one of the reasons his family kept him busy at the restaurant. Eddie was loyal to a fault and funny as hell, but when he was bored...
He made it everyone’s problem and was capable of anything.
But even his family needed a break from him time to time. And of course, Eddie deserved time off, too. He was addicted to working, either at the restaurant or doing something around his parents' house. He’d been known to be hit up by local’s who knew Eddie wasn’t likely to say no if they were in a bind and needed his help. He took any challenge head on and fulfilled it to the best of his abilities, even if he wasn’t always the most qualified to do so.
Josh set his phone down, striding over to me. “Go on! Go get yourself cleaned up and text Rev that you’re free.”
I bit my lip, still unsure and reluctant to leave.
“Now don’t do that.” Josh turned me around, guiding me toward the barns entrance with hands on my shoulders. “No changing your mind. Go have fun with Reverie.”
“I was having fun with you,” I argued, my boots shuffling across the floor as he led me towards the sunny opening.
“Oh, so was I,” Josh agreed, close to my ear. He placed a kiss to my temple. “But right now, Reverie needs you, and Eddie needs me. While it pains me to admit it, I missed that goofball. So, let’s take the rest of the day to hang out with our crazy best friends.”
I spun around, pressing a quick kiss to Josh’s lips. “Thank you.”
The corner of his mouth turned up into a soft smile, his eyes crinkling. “You don't have to thank me, Dove.”
Before I could reply, he spun me and smacked my ass to get me going. I yelped, hands flying to my backside as I darted out of his reach.
“Now get going,” he ordered sternly.
“Yes, sir.” My hand rose in a mocking salute. “Wait, is that something that does it for you?” I teased, walking backward away from him.
“What, the spanking or the brattiness?” he questioned with a raised brow. “Because the answer to both of those isyes.”
My boots tripped over nothing but the shock of his words. He stepped forward, as if to catch me, but I righted my footing just in time before falling. He let out an exasperated sigh, shaking his head in amusement at my reaction. “Dove, get to the house in one piece, please.”
I scowled, turning around at the same time I lifted a middle finger to him.
His laughter followed me as I stalked away, but I couldn’t stop the smile that spread across my face. He just had that effect on me.
As I walked across the driveway and toward the house, I sent Reverie the good news, which was replied to quickly with a bunch of surprise-face emoji’s and a “Let’s go bitch!!!”
36
DOVE
Iborrowed Josh’s pickup to head into town since I still wasn’t ready to drive my mom’s car like I used to, parking it in the small backlot behind the salon that needed a repaving somewhere around ten years ago.
A bell chimed when I opened the salon door, the sound creating the instant realization that I hadn’t been here to visit since her return to Haven. My eyes tracked over the layout of the quaint salon, noting the few touches that were clearly Reverie-inspired. I couldn’t help but notice that much of the salon remained the way the previous owner, Betty, had kept it. As if she was afraid to fully set up shop and call this space her own.
“About time,” Reverie called, stepping out of the small backroom I knew housed all the color supplies and doubled as a breakroom. She’d helped Betty a lot when we were growing up, shadowing her and shampooing clients, so that meantI’dspent a decent amount of time here, too.
“I’m surprised someone cancelled on you so last minute.” I crossed the aged laminate floor to where her station was set up. “I know how they can be about their hair here.”
Reverie waved dismissively. “It wasn’t anyone from Haven.”
