Forever Summer - Melody Grace Page 0,52

right?”

“We got some dressers last week,” he said immediately. “If you gave them a facelift with a coat of paint and some new hardware …”

“Lead the way.”

Evie followed them into the cluttered warehouse space. “Mickey was born about two hundred years too late,” Cassie said in a whisper. “He has an eye for design and spends every weekend at estate sales up and down the coast.”

“It’s where you find the best stuff,” Mickey said, clearly listening in. “Some people have no imagination.”

Evie might have been one of them, she thought as she studied the old dressers. They were walnut-colored, boxy, and looked like they’d been dragged out of her grandmother’s basement.

“Picture them with a fresh coat of paint,” Cassie insisted. “And cute handles. Maybe against some floral wallpaper.”

“Florals?” Evie winced, thinking of the fussy inns she’d toured with Noah.

“Cool, modern florals,” Cassie corrected. She showed Evie some pictures on her phone, and Evie had to agree, it looked amazing.

“Let’s do it,” she said, feeling excited.

“Sold!” Cassie announced. “Now, have you got each room design figured out yet?”

Evie began describing her plans as they finished up with Mickey and made their way to browse another store. This one was full of cute accessories and quirky décor that would be perfect with her crisp, breezy style. They chatted about the design as Cassie scooped up a few eccentric items for her other client. “Thankfully, this one just gives me a budget and leaves me to get on with it,” she said, picking up a side table with legs shaped like a bird’s. “I can let my creativity run wild instead of trying to match a picture they got out of a magazine”

“That’s how you met Wes, isn’t it?” Evie asked, remembering a conversation from the pub.

“Well, technically we met when we were kids,” Cassie said with a smile. “He was my first love. But designing his house brought us back together. Our house, now,” she added with a grin.

Evie browsed a display of old vases. Despite her vow to keep her mind off Noah, she couldn’t help her curiosity. “Wes grew up here, didn’t he?” she asked, trying to sound casual. “I lose track of who’s a long-time local and who’s a transplant like me. I know Poppy moved to town a few years ago, and Cooper and Noah have been here for years …”

“That’s right.” If Cassie noticed her digging, she didn’t show it. “Noah moved away for a while, but I remember him from when my family would come on vacation. He and Griffin used to wear these baggy jeans ,” she added with a grin, “and skulk around town looking all surly and rebellious.”

“He did?” Evie laughed, surprised. “He said so, but I thought he was just kidding around.”

“They were regular teen rebels. The kind who would help old ladies with their shopping bags and mow your lawn when they weren’t too busy listening to all their angry music,” Cassie added, smiling. “But still. I’ve got some old photos somewhere, if you want I’ll dig them out?”

“Oh, no,” Evie said quickly, feeling self-conscious. “I was just curious. About everyone.”

“Mm-hmm.” The look Cassie gave her told Evie she wasn’t convinced. “He’s a great guy. You know, since you’re curious and all. And don’t worry about the playboy antics,” she added, giving Evie a smile. “I have a feeling that’s all ancient history now.”

Evie coughed. “I think I saw a table I like … over there,” she said, gesturing vaguely. “Be right back!”

She ducked through the store, wondering if every single person in Sweetbriar Cove already knew the intimate details of her love life. But Evie supposed she only had herself to blame. After all, she was the one who had kissed him in front of everyone the other week. And as much as she hadn’t really thought through the consequences of that very public display of affection, if she had the chance to take it back, Evie would do it all over again.

And again. And again.

“Evie!” Cassie called out across the store, waving what looked like a chair in the shape of a human hand. “What do you think of this?”

“Evie?” A middle-aged woman nearby snapped her head around and looked Evie up and down. “I don’t suppose you’re Evie Baxter-Jones, are you?”

“Umm, yes?” Evie replied, smiling.

“I’m Gayle Montgomery!” the woman beamed widely. “Your new mother-in-law!”

What?!

Evie froze in panic as Noah’s mom pulled her into an enthusiastic, lavender-scented hug. “I … uh … umm,” Evie stammered, trying to think of