to be welcoming for everyone.”
“I think it’s perfect.”
My hands go to my chest. “It is perfect. I can even do a booth here, by the window so customers can look out onto the street as they eat.” My heart thumps, and I throw my arms around him. “Thanks for arranging this.”
“I have a good feeling about it, Kins.”
I squeal a little, letting the excitement pump through my veins. “This weekend, maybe I’ll start drawing up what I want to do.”
“Speaking of this weekend, we’d better hit the road if we want to make it there for the barbecue and bonfire.”
We head back outside, and I give one last glance over my shoulder to memorize the space before Cason locks up. There’s an extra spring in my step as we head back to the car, and I turn to look at Cason. My heart squeezes so tight in my chest, it brings tears to my eyes, and I quickly blink them back.
“Tacos for life,” I tell him.
“For me?”
I squeeze his hand. “Yes, for you. For being so sweet.”
“I just want to see you happy, Kins.”
“Thanks, Cason, and don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone you’re sweet.”
He squeezes my hand back, and we climb into his car. I rest against the seat and close my eyes to envision my very own restaurant as he drives us to the grocery store for supplies for his cottage. Once we’re loaded up with enough food to feed an army, we head to the beach. I sit up a little straighter when he pulls into the driveway, a gorgeous beachside cottage rising up before us.
“This is yours?” I examine the beautiful two-story beach house, painted in seafoam green, with numerous plants in the window boxes. We had a cottage growing up, but barely spent any time there. Someday, if I work really hard and my restaurant is a success, I hope to have a place like this to go to.
“Yeah. Do you like it?”
“I love it. Did you plant those flowers?”
“No, I’m sure Alyssa did it. She knew you were coming and probably wanted to make it inviting. I’m not much of a green thumb.”
I remember Alyssa from the wedding. We didn’t get to talk much, but I found out she was a landscape artist in Vermont. Alek did a lot of traveling to see her, they still have a house there, but now that her grandmother passed away, she spends more time here in Seattle with Alek, aka, The Puck Charmer. I think it’s so cute that the guys all have such fun names and I’m looking forward to getting to know the wives better.
“I don’t get out here as often as I’d like, and when we’re all here, the girls are always giving me a hard time about being alone. Guess they can’t do it this time, can they?”
“Nope,” I say and climb from the car. Children’s laughter reaches my ears, as well as dogs barking. With the sun low on the horizon, I turn to take in the beach area and spot our friends in the distance. Jules and Rider have a place here, but I never made the time to come when they invited me. I was always pouring my heart, soul, and what little money I made back into my truck. With them off on their honeymoon, I won’t see them this weekend, unfortunately.
“Want to go for a swim?” Cason asks, his mouth near my ear as he comes to stand behind me. He puts his arms around me, and I lean against him. I guess our friends know we’re sleeping together. Heck, Cole caught us kissing on my truck. So there isn’t much sense in avoiding public displays of affection.
Nina and the boys come running up to me, a big black dog following them. “Hey, Huxley,” Cason says and falls on his butt when the dog practically leaps into his arms.
I laugh and the boys pile on top of their uncle. He carries on with them for a few minutes, and the sight pulls a smile from me. He’s so good with his nephews. The man needs a family of his own. Want and need flood me as I picture myself in that happy family scenario.
“Okay, boys, let your uncle breathe.” Nina picks the boys off, and they go running back to the water where everyone is playing. Nina leans in to give me a hug. “I’m glad you were able to come.” She glances into the car. “How long are