Page 27 of Take This Heart
“Isit your town? Are you claiming Minneapolis too?” I lift my shoulder. “You can’t just take over the whole state.”
She growls. "If you’re looking for a fight, Lombardi, you’re going to lose."
I grin. "Define ‘lose.’ Because sparring with you sounds like my kind of morning workout."
Juju covers her mouth as she laughs, looking between the two of us with interest.
“Don’t scare off a potential renter, Golds!” she says.
Goldie’s hands go to her hips and she shakes her head. “No.You’re not letting him stay here, are you?” She scowls at Juliana. “So I’ll have to see you every time I want coffee?” Her head falls back and she groans.
“Wow,” I say. “Dramatic much?”
“Oh, you have no idea,” Juju whispers, giggling. “We’vebeen best friends since we were little and she’s always had a flair for the dramatic.”
“I heard that!” Goldie groans.
Juju points to a door in the back corner. “The apartment is that way.”
The apartment is small but clean, with windows that overlook the lake. Hardwood floors. A little kitchen tucked into the corner. A nice couch and a bed. Not exactly the luxury of my penthouse, but it’ll do.
Everett expects me to stay at the house, but with his family coming in and out, I don’t want to be in the way.
I’m sure Goldie will be happy about this decision.
I go back down and collect my coffee and cinnamon roll. And holy hell, my eyes sink back into my head when I taste the cinnamon roll. I’ll have to up my running if I live above this place.
“These are criminal,” I tell Juju. “Instantly addicted.”
She laughs. “Glad to know you’ll be back. What did you think of the place?”
“It’ll be great. I’ll find out my schedule and stop back in once I know.”
“Sounds good.” She smiles.
“I don’t know—it’s no penthouse apartment,” Goldie says.
I smirk. “You gathering intel on me, G. Waters?”
Her cheeks flush. “No. Just took a wild guess.”
“Mm-hmm.” I knock on the counter. “Thanks, again, Juliana.” I look at Goldie again. “Guess I’ll see you at the house.”
“Don’t hold your breath.”
I smirk once again. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
CHAPTER NINE
KICK IN THE SHINS
GOLDIE
I drive over to the lake house, annoyed that Milo will be all up in my space this weekend. And he’s already frequenting Kitty-Corner Cafe? Ugh. To be fair, we don’t have many choices here, but I was hoping he’d stay out of all my favorite places.
True confession: I was already annoyed before I even saw him. I got a little relief when I drove into Windy Harbor, the tension gradually peeling off of me. But that was short-lived when I saw Milo’s cocky face in my coffee shop. The frustration and self-doubt came rushing back, but that’s not all on him.
People have been raving about my installation. Even the tough critics. One reviewer called itachingly beautiful, and another said itcaptures the resilience of the human spirit with breathtaking subtlety.
