Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
“I sure did. Wasn’t looking forward to living with my parents any longer than necessary,” Declan said, with a wink in my direction that caused my stomach to flip.
I let out a nervous laugh, and Brystol turned to glance at me, one brow quirked up and an amused look on her face.
I cleared my throat and looked away.
“Who’s watching the flower shop and toy store?” Declan asked.
“My aunt Olivia’s watching the flower shop.”
“I just put a sign on the door for the toy shop that said I was out and would be back soon. I don’t do that normally, so I think it’ll be okay. My part-time girl will be there in about an hour.”
Declan nodded as he made the drinks.
“Did you,” I said as, I pointed to the bar, “buy all this alcohol?”
Declan nodded. “I did. It’s a good thing too. I figured I’d need it for my friends, not two beautiful women dropping by to cure their hangovers.”
I smiled and took the drink he held out for me. Brystol took the other one and downed it quickly.
Declan and I both gaped at her in stunned silence.
Closing her eyes, she sighed. “God, I needed that.”
Glancing at Declan, who just shrugged, I turned back to my friend. “Um, Brystol…is everything okay?”
She turned to look at me, her eyes suddenly filled with unshed tears. All she could do was nod.
“Are you sure?” Declan asked quietly. “You put away that drink like it was a shot. Do you need a shot?”
She nodded again. “Something strong.”
My hangover was instantly gone as I took her hand and led her over to the sofa. “Sit, tell me what’s going on. Is everything okay with Memory Lane Toys?”
Brystol dropped her head in her hands and let out a wail that nearly had me covering my ears.
“Jesus!” Declan said, his face screwed up and a hand over one of his ears. “What the hell was that sound?”
Brystol dropped her hands and reached for the shot. “That’s the sound of a woman who’ll never find love, never have children of her own, and who’s more confused than she’s ever been in her entire life!”
“So…you don’t have a hangover?” I quipped.
Brystol turned and shot me a look that silently said she wanted to bitch-slap me. I stood and slowly moved closer to Declan.
“Smart move,” he whispered.
I sipped on the bloody mary while staring at Brystol, who was now lying on her side on the sofa, a pillow over her face.
Declan turned and whispered to me, “I didn’t know I was signing up for this when I rented the place. Is this something I should expect from time to time?”
I slowly shook my head. “I’m not sure. I doubt she did this to her last tenants.”
“Why?”
“It was a married couple. Then again…”
Brystol sat up and threw the pillow at us. “I can hear you! I’m right here, you know!”
Declan and I exchanged looks. “Why did you bring me up here?” I asked.
“You had a hangover, and I needed a drink. I saw Declan carrying a few bags from the liquor store, so I knew he had some.”
“You saw me?” Declan asked, concern lacing in his voice.
Brystol sighed. “I’m not spying on you, Declan. I just happened to see you, that’s all. But you should know, everyone knows everything in this town, in case you forgot.”
“Not everyone. I didn’t know Declan was living above the toy store.”
Declan pointed to me and nodded.
“You would have when Betty Lou got around to stopping by your shop today, which she will, because she’ll have heard all about our girls’ night out and how you drank too much.”
Declan laughed, but then quickly stopped when I shot him a withering look. He cleared his throat and looked away.
“Brystol, what the heck is going on?”
She sighed and dropped back against the sofa, staring at the ceiling. “The toy store is fine. Evelyn asked me to do something for her last night and…I’m not sure what to do.”
“Is this a conversation I should be a part of?” Declan asked.
Brystol looked at him. “If you can keep it to yourself and get me another shot.”
Declan looked to me for direction.
I shrugged. “Maybe one more, then that’s it, or we’ll have to close the toy store.”
He moved to the bar and poured Brystol another shot. He crossed to the couch, handed it to her, then sat on the love seat as I sat on the coffee table.
“What did she ask you?”
Downing the shot, Brystol leaned forward and set the glass on the coffee table. She looked at me…and the words that came out of her mouth were not what I was expecting.
“To carry her baby for her.”
I whipped my head around to Declan, and he stood. “I’ll pour three shots.”
Nodding, I focused back on Brystol. “Evelyn wants you to carry her and Denny’s baby?”