I raised my brows. “Are you sure you want to sell sex toys? After all, you’re the unofficial Princess of Seaside.”
Harlee rolled her eyes. “I’m not sure who put me up on that pedestal.”
Reaching for her hand, I gave it a squeeze. “You deserve the recognition. You do so much for this town, Harlee.”
She smiled sweetly. “Thanks, Sutton. Moving on…let’s take a look at the back room and make a game plan.”
“Sounds good.”
After measuring the space and drawing out different layouts, Harlee and I finally came up with a configuration for the new sexy area of Coastal Chic. I was planning on incorporating pieces of white furniture with one round display in the middle.
“Okay, so…the toys. Do we put samples on display?” I asked, studying the back room.
Harlee glanced around. “I mean, wouldn’t you want to pick one up and hold it? Check out the vibration level and all that?”
I closed my eyes. “I can’t believe I’m really going to sell vibrators in my boutique.” My eyes snapped back open. “Wait—you touch them before buying them?”
Harlee slowly tilted her head and asked, “Have you ever used a vibrator, Sutton?”
I laughed. “God, no. If Jack found out I’d used one, he would have been pissed. He was more of an it’s-all-about-me kind of guy.”
She rolled her eyes. “I hate that man so much.”
“Join the club.”
“Anyway, I think we should keep the toys in a more private space. I mean, the sexier clothes and lingerie will be in here, but what if we…”
She trailed off in thought—then we simultaneously looked toward the loft area tucked beneath the roof. It was a storage space now but could easily be turned into a spot for the toys.
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” I asked as we looked at each other.
“The pleasure loft of Coastal Chic.”
We both fell into a fit of laughter. The kind of laughter that makes you cry and gasp for breath.
“I’m totally going to call it that from this point on,” Harlee said, letting out a long sigh.
I wiped away my tears and drew in a few deep breaths.
“So—what’s going on between you and Brody?” she asked.
And just like that, my smile disappeared. I stared at her. The change of subject was so sudden, I wasn’t even sure I’d heard her correctly. “I’m sorry?”
She rolled her eyes. “Sutton, you should have seen how embarrassed you were when Brody walked up to our table today while we were talking about vibrators.”
I was positive my eyes were as wide as saucers. “You were talking about dildos, Harlee! You asked him what he thought of sex toys.”
She waggled her brows. “Did you see the way he looked right at you when he said they were fun to use on partners? Oh, I have an idea! Why don’t you ask Brody to help you test them out?”
My mouth fell open. “I told you at lunch that Brody and I are only friends, Harlee.”
Before she could say another word, the bell above the door alerted us to a customer.
“Oh! Let me go test out my sales clerk skills,” she said.
Thankful that I had literally been saved by the bell, I stepped toward the short hallway and motioned for Harlee to head out to help the customer. I turned back toward the back room—and came to an abrupt halt. “Brody!”
He flashed me his innocently boyish smile. “Am I interrupting something?”