Courtney watched, grinning. How sweet is that?
Eight
Courtney sipped at her latte from the passenger side of Kira’s four-door, blue sedan. She checked the map on her phone.
“Oh, hey, so the turn-in’s about a mile ahead on the right.”
Nick had been right about Kira. Courtney found herself appreciating Kira’s no-frills approach. At least she was honest.
“Okay.” Kira glanced in her rearview mirror and back at the road ahead.
The weekend had come and gone without incident. On Saturday, Courtney went exploring on her own, checking out the shops in town and writing on her laptop at the charming little coffee shop near the office, where she’d first met Nick.
On Sunday afternoon, with her story complete, she found the Home at Grandma’s bakery that Mrs. Brady had recommended. Later, she’d stopped in for a visit with Mrs. Brady. The sweet little woman had been delighted to sit outside and chat. They’d arranged to take a walk to the lake soon.
By mid-morning on Monday, Courtney had turned in her story on the kayak trip.
Kira had only suggested a couple of edits over the weekend. Courtney thought Kira’s advice had been solid, and it turned out Kira’s instincts had been good. Beecham had expressed great satisfaction with both Courtney’s story and Kira’s video, and the post went live. It seemed Courtney’s first battle had been won.
This morning, she and Kira started the first leg of an ongoing project for the blog to update the lodging guide on the website. It was due by the end of June.
Every hotel, B&B, rental condo, and resort property had to be contacted to inquire about updates to their services, amenities, or rates. The list alone involved several hundred.
Courtney didn’t need to visit the properties, since her role in the project could be accomplished by phone or email. But Kira did, and she needed to visit three properties today to take photos of the renovations they’d made since last summer.
She’d invited Courtney to join her. Kira said it usually gave Sam fresh ideas for stories when he’d go with her, and she thought Courtney might benefit from the change of scenery, as well.
Courtney had been happy to go. Plus, it would help her get to know Kira a little better.
“So you and Sam must’ve spent a lot of time together?”
“Yeah. He was a lot of fun to work with. Went with me on a lot of shoots—for like, almost a year.” Kira kept her gaze straight ahead.
Courtney didn’t want to press, but she sensed Kira might want to talk about Sam.
“Wow. You two got along well, then? I mean—it sounds like it.”
“Yeah.” Kira was silent for a few moments. “Truth be told, we actually dated—for almost a year. I was really bummed that he left. Felt like it came out of nowhere.”
Courtney motioned to the side of the road. “This looks like the place. On the right.”
Kira slowed and turned into the long driveway of the bed and breakfast. They passed tall trees and soon came upon a classic blue Victorian with a wraparound porch, a manicured lawn, and lush, green landscaping. The place oozed with charm.
Courtney pulled a soft-pink lipstick out of her purse and adjusted her mirror. She ran the lipstick across her mouth. “Ouch, Kira, that must’ve really hurt. I’m so sorry he left.”
Kira waved it off. “I know, but what could I do? He had a great opportunity in Colorado. He couldn’t turn it down. And that’s where he grew up. He wanted to move back home.” She sighed. “Wisconsin is my home. I wanted to stay here.”
“That’s rough.” Courtney cocked an eyebrow. “Not gonna lie, though. Worked out pretty well for me.” She flashed a wry smile and waited for a response.
Kira grinned back. “Very funny, Aussie.”
Courtney had figured out that Kira responded best to humor.
“Hey, if we’re talking truth here, I should be honest,” Courtney confessed. “Nick told me about you and Sam the other day. He didn’t want me taking it too personally when, well...when I made you guys late.”
Kira pulled into a parking spot. “No worries. It’s no secret. I’ll get over it. Anyway, that sounds like Nick. He’s a sweet guy.”
Kira turned off the car.
Courtney grabbed her purse. “Seems like it. And I’m glad you’re handling it all right.”
“Yeah, I’ll get over it. Hey, by the way, I’m sorry if I was a jerk the other day. Nick was right. Sam and I—well…” She adjusted her sunglasses and tightened her ponytail. “Forget it. I don’t want to get into it.”
Courtney looked across the front seat at her. “I get it, Kira. Believe me. I went through the wringer not too long ago. Break-ups—for whatever reason—they totally do a number on you.”
“So true.” Kira said. “Well, I’m sure you’re better off without him. Anyway, thanks for putting up with me. I shouldn’t have given you such a hard time—or complained to Beecham. Because if I hadn’t been the guest of honor at my own pity party about Sam, I’d have made sure the new writer had the deets. It was my bad.”
Courtney shook her head. “Don’t worry about it. I would’ve been the same way if the situation had been in reverse.”
“I doubt that, but thanks. You’re all right, Aussie.”
Courtney relaxed. They both climbed out of the car.
Kira gathered her things. “You should hang out with Nick, by the way. That boy couldn’t wipe the grin off his face the whole way home the other day.”
Courtney tried to make her voice sound more casual. “Really?” She didn’t need Nick hearing she lit up like a Christmas tree at the mere mention of his name. Don’t get all excited.
“Yes, really. He’s single, as far as I know. And he’s not a player. As far as I know.” She smiled deviously.
“Hmm. Okay.” Courtney looked away.
“Ohhh-kay?” Kira laughed as Courtney slammed her door shut. “Playing it cool, I see.” Kira motioned toward the building. “I knew I liked you, Aussie.”
Courtney raised an eyebrow at Kira, grinning. “Let’s go, Nash.”
Courtney sat on the couch and laced up her running shoes that evening. Maybe Kira was right—maybe she should try to hang out with Nick.
But she wasn’t even sure if he was interested. Four days had gone by and he hadn’t called or texted. He could’ve gotten her number from Kira if he’d really wanted to, right?
And he’d been so weird about asking her out and then not.
But maybe he truly believed he’d hit the ball into her court and was waiting for her to make the next move. Maybe she should just run with it? Courtney was always good at convincing herself of impossible scenarios. What she should probably do was just forget about the whole incident entirely.
But certainly, an evening jog on the lake trail wouldn’t hurt, would it? It would take her down to the docks, where she might run into him. Maybe then he could ask her out, or finish asking her out. Maybe he just needed some encouragement. She locked the cottage and started down the trail.
Forty-five minutes later, Nick followed Victoria Brady out onto the wide covered front porch of her stately home and took in the fresh breeze. Ash strutted out behind them, tail high, and Nick shut the door.