Fairy Tales and Cappuccinos (Everyday Love #1) - Taylor Rylan Page 0,7

the fridge to see what to have for supper.

Tomorrow I would have a pot of chili on, but that didn’t help me tonight. I pulled out the eggs, cheese, and milk, deciding on an omelet because it was fast and easy. In the freezer, I found a bag of precooked sausage, onions, and peppers and I tossed it in the microwave for a couple of minutes while I whipped up my eggs and poured them in the skillet. When it was ready, I dumped the rest of the ingredients on top before folding it in half and then flipped it once more for good measure before plating my meal.

I turned and stood at the counter to eat, not really interested in going to the table since it was just me. Why bother, really?

In minutes, I’d eaten my dinner and rinsed then put my dishes in the dishwasher. I picked up a notebook on my way back to the living room and plopped back down on the couch. Knowing me, I’d probably end up spending the night on the thing just because it seemed to be the norm anymore.

I picked up my phone and had to chuckle at Ford’s most recent message.

Ford: What part of Level 3 do people not understand?

I could only imagine where that was coming from. Since Ford’s garage was the only one in town that had twenty-four-hour towing, I had no doubt that he had people calling him. Seeing that he’d messaged me most likely when I was cooking, I quickly replied.

Me: Everything. Just like they don’t understand the whole “don’t let your kids run around in the store” concept. How many calls?

Ford: Three so far. But it’s only 7:00. I have no doubt there will be more.

Me: Damn, I should have taken that bet.

I chuckled because it was early still and he’d already had three calls. I was sure more would come in, but how many?

Ford: You’d still lose. You know it. You even said so.

Me: True. I’m not going to be open tomorrow but I’ll have chili on if you are over this way and want something warm.

Ford: You’ll see me.

Ford stopped typing, and I figured he was finished, so I tossed the phone to the couch and picked up my notebook. I pulled the pen out of the spine and started jotting down plans and ideas for the bookstore. I knew I wanted to expand some areas while curtailing others. But mostly I needed to do something to draw in more tourists.

Pleasant Grove was small, and the majority of my traffic came from locals. There was more to be had, I only needed to figure out how to get them to stop at my store. I could ask Ford tomorrow if he had any suggestions, but his business was drastically different than mine. Fairy Tales was more leisure and pleasure while his was really a necessity.

Satisfied with what I’d accomplished for the day, I put the notebook on the coffee table and grabbed the remote. I quickly discovered that the cable was out, but I wasn’t surprised with the way the storm was raging outside. So that meant no TV. I could watch a Blu-ray if I wanted, but I wasn’t feeling it.

I picked up my phone and opened the message app again.

Me: I’m bored. What are you doing?

It took a few minutes, but the dancing dots finally appeared, and I smiled.

Ford: Watching porn. You should try it.

I tossed my phone back onto the coffee table at my cousin’s response. I did not need to know that. Nor did I need to be thinking about the fact that he was watching porn and had most likely been…no. I did not want to think about Ford jacking off. Especially if I had to see him tomorrow. Eww, no.

I got up and after taking my phone to my room and plugging it in, I stripped and went to the bathroom. If nothing else, it was probably a good idea to take a hot shower. I might not have hot water tomorrow without the generator, and it wasn’t exactly a priority when it came to things needing power. A hot water tank could sit with cold water in it without going bad. It was the other things I prioritized. Like heat and power for the fridge.

When the shower was steaming, I climbed in and sighed. After I stood with the hot water raining down on me for a few minutes, I turned and stared at the tiles.