“See? Told you it would be fine. Now we just have to wait for things to turn around and for people to realize it was all a scam,” Jodie says, wiping her hands like she’s wiping off the grime from the day.
It’s early evening the next day, and Todd, the PR expert Jodie got ahold of, has left. We’ve made some plans for restoring our tainted image to the public, which includes a new commercial and a public statement on our social media. We’ve got some new specials ready to go to get people back in. Still, it scares me a little that even with the Open sign prominently displayed, we’ve only had two customers all day. I try to shove it aside, listening to Jodie’s optimism. We just need some time to get back on track.
Reed swung by to help this morning for a couple of hours, but then headed out to tend to his own business. I was glad. I feel horrible that he’s been neglecting his own life for mine, although Jodie assures me that’s what love is all about.
“So now it’s time to get out of here, boss man,” Jodie says to me, wrapping an arm around my neck. “Go home, open a bottle of wine, and relax. Because we’re going to be back to being busy in a couple of days. You need to be ready.”
“If anyone comes back.”
“Oh, they will. Don’t you worry. Reed and I have some plans for a reopening party.”
I raise an eyebrow. “What? Were you planning on telling me about them?”
“No way. You’d just worry too much. We’ve got it all taken care of.”
I shake my head. “If you say so.”
“Oh, we do. I like that one. He’s fun. And he’s a rocking good party planner. I think he’s got a future in it someday. But for now, I’m glad he’s around to help out with the marketing stuff. Now get out of here,” she says, smacking my arm. “I’ve got a hot date to get ready for.”
“Who’s the guy?”
“Anthony from the apartment building beside mine. He moved in from Colorado. He’s here for the month to party, just like I like it. I think it might be a wild time.”
I shake my head. “Be safe.”
“Always. You too.”
“Oh yeah, my townhouse gets pretty out of control.” I head out the door, hoping that tomorrow I won’t have to close early because of a lack of customers.
I think about calling Reed on the way home, seeing if he wants to go out for dinner, but I feel bad pulling him away from the Sand Dollar. He’s behind schedule on his renovations, and I don’t want to distract him. I’ve done enough of that lately.
When I get to the townhouse, I head to my door, putting the key in the lock and flinging it open. I toss my shoes on the welcome mat by the door. I’m thinking about what I’m going to eat for dinner when another pair of shoes catches my eyes—some expensive shoes that definitely, positively aren’t mine.
I raise an eyebrow, wondering what’s going on, when he walks toward me from the kitchen and dining room area. Now that I think about it, there is a succulent smell wafting through my home.
“Surprise,” he says, dressed in a suit that was made for him—and made to be torn off, jacket flying across the room.
I’m stunned as he crosses the floor to wrap me in his arms. “What’s all this?” I ask.
“I knew today would be stressful,” he whispers, kissing my neck now. “So I wanted to do something special.”
“How’d you get in?” But before he answers, I shake my head. “Jodie.” Of course. She has the key. For once, she’s putting it to good use, however.
“Now come on. Dinner’s getting cold.”
“You like cooking?” I ask as I eye the table he’s set up. Jodie’s right. He would be a marvelous party planner. The table looks like it’s from a five-star restaurant in the middle of New York City, complete with red roses, elegant candlesticks, and silver platters.
Reed laughs. “Who has time for cooking? But your friend Alexander has some marvelous connections. I stopped by his shop last night to chat.”
“You did all this for me?” I ask, eyeing him and wondering how the hell I got so lucky.
“Like I said, I knew today would be rough. I wanted you to know you’re not alone in it all, and that it’s going to be okay.”
We sit down, sipping the wine Reed’s poured, and I open the platter in front of me. A gorgeous dinner of steak, potatoes, vegetables, and a salad sits before me. It’s clearly of a fancier quality than I’m used to eating.
“Thank you,” I say, still at a loss for words.
“Thank you,” he replies. “For showing me the best parts of Ocean City.”
I grin, giving him a little wink. “You haven’t seen anything yet.”
“Oh, but I have.” He winks right back.
“To exploring more with you and to never being alone.” I raise my wineglass.
He raises his glass as well, grinning. “You know, I think I’ll drink to that,” he says, and I nod as I drink my wine… and take in the sight of the handsome man across from me who is mine, all mine.