Harper watches me crank the engine, and I wave before driving away.
Maybe one day, I won’t be so chickenshit when it comes to admitting my feelings.
Just maybe.
Chapter Four
HARPER
“All that soap over there is curing. My goal today is to prep enough for at least five hundred bars. The summer scents have been a huge hit!” I tell Hadleigh as she carefully pours the liquid mixture into the loaf soap molds.
She laughs. “Let’s make a thousand. People will buy them.”
“I wish I had more hours in a day and room for that. At that rate, I’d be able to keep up with Shayla. Honestly, I should be on her payroll, considering how many of my ideas she’s stolen. I have to be really careful what I announce and share before it’s available because she immediately lists the same item on her site.”
Hadleigh rolls her eyes. “I really hate her. The fact she stole your strawberry limeade recipe pisses me off.”
I sigh, inhaling sharply. “I know. I almost ordered one to compare to mine but then decided not to give her a penny of my money. She’s already taken enough.” I groan, then hear Hadleigh’s phone buzzing on the small kitchen counter, and she asks me to check it for her. Every flat surface is filled with supplies and has been for the past three hours. I’m coming to terms that I might need more space sooner rather than later.
“Who is it?” she asks, using the back of her hand to brush curly strands of strawberry-blond hair from her face as her phone continues going off.
“Kane,” I say, then notice how she sucks in a breath that’s more ragged than usual. He’s sent at least eight texts within a minute.
I lift a brow. “I think I need some context for that reaction.”
“You know how it is having a close guy friend and how conflicting it can feel.” That’s all she offers, and I don’t push for more. Hadleigh’s been friends with Ethan’s twin cousins, Knox and Kane, since we were kids. Though neither of us has really admitted anything deeper than that when it comes to our besties, I understand how confusing it can be.
Before I can add anything else to the conversation, the alarm on my phone goes off, and I see my Instagram scheduled photo is about to post. I shared a story earlier saying I’d be revealing a new scent today, and my notifications have been going crazy ever since. Keeping up with the shipping questions, photo tags, and comments has been overwhelming. As soon as I open the app, I’m blasted with comments and messages.
Seaside Air! I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS ONE ALREADY.
When can we order?
TAKE MY MONEY ALREADY!
One after another comes in, and Hadleigh watches me.
“They’re excited, aren’t they?” She grins as she moves the mold to the storing shelf, then starts on another.
“Yes! Seems like they are.” I laugh, giddy with happiness because I worked really hard on perfecting the teal color and scent for the soaps and lotions. It smells like a summer day at the beach.
“When are you dropping the popsicle scent?” she asks.
“In an hour. Then the shop will open for orders at five. They’re already freaking out about this one. Can’t wait for the others to be announced later!” I say eagerly, checking the time. “Still so much to do.”
“I have the soap pouring down if you want to start on packaging since you already finished the lotions,” Hadleigh says, glancing over at all the shipping supplies and a stack of at least five hundred labels.
I suck in a deep breath, knowing I need to get started on this as soon as possible. Last month’s items need to ship before I package the summer restock that just launched. “I really need a clone.”
Hadleigh cackles. “By the way Knox and Kane hassle each other, I’m not sure you’d want another version of you to annoy you the way the twins do to each other.”
“Okay, you’re right. Maybe having a robot that I can teach would be better. I’m so grateful for my customers, but it always takes so much time to make and ship out.” I grab the order sheets and get started, not wanting to waste any more time. I’m pretty organized, so it’s only a matter of creating a mini assembly line and making it happen.
After an hour of nonstop work, I get a text from Ethan.
Ethan: Working hard or hardly working?
I send him a picture of the twenty boxes I’ve already done.
“Want some food from the B&B?” I ask Hadleigh.
“The answer to that question is always yes. I don’t even care what’s on the menu.”
“Ain’t that the truth. I’ll let Ethan know,” I say.
About thirty minutes later, the front door swings open, and Ethan walks in.
“Special delivery!” He grins, then sets the to-go boxes down on a stool.
“Thank you! Harper’s been working me to death.” Hadleigh tosses her hand across her forehead dramatically. “No breaks. No snacks. No wine!”
“But hey, the company is great, and the conversation is even better.” I hand her a fork, and she snorts.
“I have a couple of hours to burn before I need to be back at the barn. Thought I’d help out a bit,” Ethan offers as I take a big bite of mashed potatoes and gravy.
“Mmm, country fried chicken is my favorite,” Hadleigh mumbles around a mouthful.
“Mine too,” I agree as I devour my food. Honestly, I didn’t realize how hungry I was until Ethan mentioned something. There are days I’d probably forget to eat without his reminder.
While we eat, Ethan chats about the goats. “Cupcake got out again. This time, she brought Muffin and Donut with her.”
“Again? Geez. How’s she gettin’ out?” I ask, knowing this goat has been the bane of his existence.
“I ordered a couple of game cameras, so once I install them, I’ll know.”
“Can I just say how adorable it is that you named each of the goats after pastries,” Hadleigh says.
“Adorable? Have you ever had a goat use you as a trampoline before?” Ethan cocks a brow.
Hadleigh laughs and nearly chokes. “The imagery of that is hilarious.”
“Yeah? You should’ve seen the hoof-shaped bruises.” Ethan shakes his head, but he’s grinning. He loves those goats more than he’s willing to admit. They’re cute and have personalities of their own, plus their milk has helped skyrocket both of our businesses. I’ll forever be grateful for the opportunity Ethan gave me.
After we’re done eating, Hadleigh goes back to her station, and Ethan helps me package. I place the items in the box, then he adds a signed thank-you card and tapes the box before sticking the label on it.
Soon, Hadleigh finishes pouring the soaps, and we’re working like bumblebees. Every once in a while, I’ll bump into Ethan or trip over Hadleigh’s feet.
“You need a warehouse,” Ethan blurts out after I’ve run into him for the twentieth time.
“I know, I know. Unfortunately, there’s just no time to think about that when I have a ton of orders to catch up on and more coming every day.”