“She’s at Frosty Mug Tavern,” he said, turning and pointing over his shoulder. “It’s on the other side of the park.”
“Okay. How do I get there?” I asked. I was still standing on the other side of the road barricade.
One brow lifted as he looked at me. Then he sighed. “This way.”
“Gee, how nice of you to escort me,” I muttered as I pulled my suitcase behind me.
He frowned, and I nearly laughed. I followed him up Parkway and onto Grand Street. Cute street names, but the names on the storefronts were even better. Finally, we stopped in front of the bar and he stepped to the side.
“Thank you,” I said. “Is there somewhere I can store my luggage?”
He scowled at me as if I was grating on his last nerve. I had barely said a word.
“I have no idea.”
I huffed. “If I leave it here, will someone take it?”
He shrugged. “Not sure.”
“Okay, thanks.” I pulled my suitcase behind me and walked through the door. The restaurant was quiet, and it wasn’t hard to spot my sister talking to a brunette at the bar. They laughed, and Rebecca looked happy, which made me smile but also sent a pang of guilt through me. Would she be angry that I had showed up?
I stashed my luggage at the hostess stand—people would do anything for a little cash—and walked the long way around the bar so Rebecca wouldn’t see me. She was just about to order a drink, so I stepped up and ordered for her.
“She’ll have a margarita on the rocks, no salt, and I’ll have a dirty martini with extra olives.”
Rebecca whirled around and yanked me into a hug, surprising the hell out of me. “Kat!”
“Whoa, I need a little room to breathe,” I said, tapping her arm.
“I can’t believe you’re here!” Rebecca squealed.
You and me both, baby sister. I wasn’t sure this was the right thing to do, but now that I was here, there was no going back.
Chapter 1
KAT
Present Day
“I REALLY LIKE IT HERE,” Riley said as she plopped down on my bright red couch. “It’s so peaceful.”
She stretched out her legs and propped her feet up on my coffee table. Her auburn hair was piled on top of her head in the sort of fancy topknot I could never achieve. She was the picture of relaxation in her leggings and off-the-shoulder sweater with a cup of coffee from Grateful Cup.
Riley and Anna were visiting from New York. I had loved living with them and missed them terribly. Riley was a petite, spunky redhead, and Anna was slender, with long blond hair and tattoos. They were total opposites but best friends. So close that they were like sisters.
They’d met in New York at the Culinary Institute of America. After graduating, they interned together under a renowned cake designer and eventually landed at a prestigious bakery in the city. Riley and Anna were talented enough to run their own bakery, but they didn’t have the startup funds. Especially in New York, where rent was astronomical.
Riley took a sip of her coffee and moaned. “I know why they call it Grateful Cup. I’m feeling pretty damn grateful right now for this cup of coffee.”
I laughed and tossed a throw pillow at her.
“You’re ridiculous,” Anna said. She plopped down beside Riley and blew on her tea. “But I have to agree with you. This town is pretty awesome. I loved shopping at the store below us.”
I rented the studio apartment above Limbitless Expressions from Laney Walters, now Wilson. It had been vacant for the last year and a half. I loved the location, right off Main Street, and it was a short walk to work.
“How’s it going with Becca?” Riley asked.
I huffed and sat back. “Not great. You know how she is with me. I’m like a thorn in her heel.”