“Bye, Brianna. When she arrives, bring her back to the cottage.” I hung up just as she squealed again. She knew what my plan was going to be. Don’t get me wrong, I was a nice guy, but I really didn’t want to kiss up to the fashion diva just to get good ratings on the inn. Then again, it was a sacrifice I was going to make.
Chapter Five
Layla
There was literally nothing as breathtaking as driving down Snowflake Lane. The amount of work that was put in with all the Christmas decorations was phenomenal. It didn’t take me long to pack up a few things at my freezing house. It took longer driving to the inn with all the snow. Granted, I had a four-wheel-drive Jeep, but I still felt unsure on the slippery roads. Hopefully, I’d get used to it. I wanted a drastic change from my current lifestyle, and I got it.
Pulling up to the Snowflake Lane Inn, I couldn’t help but smile at its beauty. I parked behind Colin’s truck and stepped out, breathing in the cool, crisp air. The door to the inn opened and a young woman rushed out, her smile radiant.
“I really thought I could control myself and act cool with you being here, but I don’t think it’s possible. I love your designs.” She ran down the steps and held out her hand. “I’m Brianna, Colin’s sister.”
They had the same dark brown hair and green eyes. “Yes, I can see that,” I replied. “It’s nice to meet you.” She seemed like a nice girl, probably in her early twenties. What I loved most was the top she had on. It was one of my designs.
I grabbed my bag out of the backseat, and Brianna took it. “It’s such a pleasure to meet you, Layla. When I found out you were moving to Friendship, I couldn’t believe it.”
A laugh escaped my lips. “Neither could I. Although I am happy to see that someone around here likes me.”
Brows furrowed, Brianna nodded toward the house. “Colin didn’t make you feel unwelcome, did he? If he did, I’ll slap him upside the head.”
“No.” I laughed. “He was very friendly. However, the man at the general store didn’t seem too thrilled to be around me.”
She scoffed. “That’s just Earl. He’s a grumpy old man. Don’t let him sway your opinion of our town. The people of Friendship all stick together. We’re like family.”
I followed her down the walkway and around the back of the inn, where a quaint little cottage sat by a small, frozen lake. A gazebo sat at the water’s edge, covered with bright white Christmas lights and red bows. The stone path leading up to it reminded me of something you’d see in a storybook. “From the front, I didn’t even know this place was back here,” I murmured.
Brianna glanced at me over her shoulder with a big smile on her face. “This is where you’ll be staying. I can’t believe the heater froze up on the house. It never did that when I was growing up there. Although it has been colder this winter.”
It was colder than what I’d ever experienced. “Thank you for the gift basket. Colin said it was your idea.”
We stopped at the cottage door. “You’re welcome. I’m one of your biggest fans. Not many people around here care about fashion though.”
I sighed. “But they know who I am, don’t they?”
She snorted. “Everyone knows who you are. Did you think a small town like ours wouldn’t know who you were?”
“Kind of,” I replied with a shrug. “Was that naive of me?”
She burst out laughing. “Yup. You can’t escape who you are, especially when the world already knows you.”
The door to the cottage opened, and Colin stepped out with a duffel bag draped over his shoulder. He nodded toward the door. “It’s all yours. The guest bedroom is up the stairs on the right. Feel free to use whatever you want in the kitchen.”
“What?” I gasped, glancing at them both. I looked at Colin’s bag and then into his striking, emerald eyes. “Is this your home?” The last thing I wanted to do was inconvenience him.
He nodded. “It’s yours tonight.”
I shook my head. “Definitely not. I don’t want you giving up your place for me.”
“It was either that or the tiny twin bedroom in the inn,” Brianna cut in. “I figured you’d want more space.”
“I’m fine with the smaller room.” She had a hold of my bag, and I reached out for it pleadingly. “Seriously, I don’t mind. I’m just grateful I won’t be freezing to death.”
Brianna handed me my bag, her gaze curious. It was obvious they had misconceptions about me. Hopefully, I’d be able to change that.
Brianna and Colin stared at each other, but Colin spoke first, his lips tilting up in a small smile. “Take the cottage, Ms. Aberdeen. The whole inn is my home. You’re not putting me out.”
“Are you sure? I feel bad.”
“Don’t,” he said, setting his bag on the porch. He reached for mine and picked it up. “Come on, I’ll show you around.”