“Take it out then.”
“And what am I supposed to do with it?” She tossed it under her bed and never thought about it again. Maybe only once or twice, but she could never bring herself to use the rabbit-shaped piece of plastic.
Olivia laughed. “If I have to explain then we have bigger problems than I thought.”
Harper gave up on the blue paint and met Olivia’s gaze. “That’s not what I meant.”
“Oh good,” Isla said. “I didn’t want to have to go dig out my seventh-grade health class textbook.”
Harper lifted her hand. “I’m not even going to ask why you still have it.” She dropped her hand and focused on the blue paint again, picking at the smear. “Why the hell does it have to be shaped like a rabbit?”
Olivia’s eyebrow arched. “Who cares what it’s shaped like?”
“Rabbits are so cute and innocent. It feels like I’m going to violate it.”
This time Isla laughed. “You are way overthinking this, and that’s coming from me, someone who has made a hobby out of overthinking. Stop thinking, pull your pants down, and let it work its magic.”
“I don’t know. I guess it’s an option.”
“At this rate it’s your only option.” Olivia took a sip of her water. “Unless you find the one guy you haven’t encountered on that dating site in the next couple of days.”
“This is what my life has come to.”
“Could be worse,” Isla said.
God only knew where Isla would go with this, but Harper was curious enough to ask. “How?”
“You could be like Maid Marian in Robin Hood Men in Tights and be stuck in a chastity belt. Then you wouldn’t even be able to take care of yourself.”
“I really want to know…” Olivia said. “How in the world did she go to the bathroom?”
“It was a movie,” Harper said.
Olivia’s eyebrows knitted above the bridge of her nose. “But didn’t those things exist?”
“I have no idea.”
Milo strolled into the diner and B-lined it to their table. “What’d I miss, ladies?”
Harper shot the girls a look, silently pleading for them to keep their mouths shut.
“Menstrual cycles and PMS,” Olivia said.
Harper nodded a thank you, and Milo’s nose wrinkled. “While you’re eating? Aren’t there better topics to talk about?”
“Like what?” Isla asked.
“Pretty much anything else.”
“How’s business?” Olivia asked, and Harper sighed in relief at the subtle topic change. “Summer is practically here, so I’m sure we won’t see you as much.”
“Au contraire. I’m expanding. I just hired Hal. Now that the AC in his van is fixed, he said he’ll take shifts on nights he’s not playing and some during the day.” Hal was a local entertainer in his late forties, mostly known for his Alice Cooper cover act. Hal liked to pick up odd jobs here and there to keep his schedule free and to support his music endeavors. Milo thought he was the perfect addition to his company.
“Wait a minute.” Harper’s hand went up. “You’re going to let him drive people around in the creeper van?”
“Hey, don’t knock the eighties metal scene’s biggest mode of transportation. That van is a classic.”
“That van looks like it should be on the six o’clock news for prowling through neighborhoods.”
“Point taken, but it’s all about presentation. It’s not the creeper van.” Milo lifted his hands like he was revealing a banner. “It is Hal’s Party Van! Get to and from your summer night festivities in the fun van!”
“That van looks anything but fun,” Harper said.
“He’s going to string up a few strands of lights, and the real selling point—groups of three or more get a free appetizer voucher for McConnell’s Pub.”
“Supporting local businesses. That’s very noble of you.”
“Connor and I came up with the idea one night when I was pigging out on nachos. I figure once they start eating, they won’t be able to stop, so they’ll order more, and Connor will make more of a profit than if they just drank all night.”
“Look at you becoming a smart businessman.” He always had it in him. Milo was made for much bigger things. If it wasn’t for the accident, he would have been a starting pitcher for the Major League. The accident stripped him of his chance, but that didn’t mean there weren’t other things he couldn’t accomplish.
Everyone questioned his business venture, but he did well—when he actually charged people—and now he was expanding.
He straightened. “If you want to make flyers or business cards, I’d be more than happy to hand them out to the out-of-towners.” It was a nice idea, but nobody coming to Morgan’s Bay would want to take a paint class.
“That’s a great idea,” Olivia said. “You should definitely whip something up. I can help you if you want. I also think you need to get on social media and start promoting yourself and your business.” Olivia would think that, having been a social media and marketing specialist for several years before everything imploded on her and she came back to Morgan’s Bay.
Harper waved her hand, dismissing Milo and Olivia’s suggestion. “Those people are here for the beaches and to drink.” Painting would be the last thing on their minds. It would be a waste of ink and paper.
“Yes, but you can’t go to the beaches when it’s raining.” Milo grabbed her shoulder. “Remember summer as kids? Rainy days were the pits. Never been so bored in my life.”
Harper tilted her head and angled her gaze at Milo. “Who are you fooling? Rain has never stopped you. May I remind you of the rain Olympics you created junior year?” It was an epic all-day event that kept them entertained for weeks after.
Milo laughed. “That was fun! And I still think I should’ve gotten the gold for lawn backstroke.”
“Nolan beat you by a mile!”
Isla’s eyes darted down at Nolan’s name, but Harper pretended not to notice.
“Yes, but my performance was a work of art.”
Harper laughed at the memory. Milo had turned his backstroke on the front lawn into more of a synchronized swimming routine while Nolan hauled ass, using his legs to slide effortlessly to the finish line. It was only a month before the accident and the long recovery. Harper preferred to remember that summer as only the rain Olympics, nothing else. Milo in a hospital bed was something nightmares were made of.
Harper took the last sip of her lemon ginger tea. “Too bad the competition was based on speed and not performance.”
“Technicality.” He grabbed his chest. “In my heart, I know who the real winner was that day.”
Annabelle came over and smiled at Milo. “Hey there, stranger,” she said. “Can I get you anything?”
“I’ll take a coffee to go.”
“You got it, sweetheart.” Annabelle turned away and headed to the coffeepot.
“You’re not staying?” Harper asked.
“I have to pick up Ms. Wheeler and bring her to her eye doctor appointment in thirty minutes.”
“Don’t be late.” Isla hid a smile behind her mug.
“Exactly why I’m getting my coffee to go. I saw your car in the parking lot, so just wanted to stop in and catch up on my girl talk.”
“Except you immediately dodged girl talk,” Olivia pointed out.
“I was looking for gossip, not horror stories of down under.”
Harper shoved his shoulder. “You’re so stupid.”
“Thank you.” He diverted his attention away from her and onto Olivia. “Where’s Shane this morning?” Shane, Olivia’s boyfriend, had come to Morgan’s Bay only a few weeks ago after discovering he had family in the small town.
“Breakfast with Mimi. He’s been trying to go over at least once a week.” Ever since Shane arrived, he’d been playing catch up on the last twenty-six years, trying to fill in the gaps.
“I’ll stop by the bar for lunch and grab a burger,” Milo said. Shane
was the bartender at McConnell’s Pub while Olivia was a waitress until she figured out what she would do next.
“Isla, how’s your grandma doing? I haven’t had time to stop by and check in on her,” Milo said.
Isla smiled. “She has her good days and bad days.” Isla’s grandma was on short time thanks to a cancer diagnosis. Isla did her best to keep her grandma smiling by visiting as often as she could and bringing her flowers from the family’s florist shop.
“If she’s having a good day on Memorial Day then bring her to the party. I’d love to have her there. I’ll make sure she’s comfortable.”
“She’d love that. I’ll see if she’s up for it.”
Annabelle came over with his coffee, and he thanked her before standing up. “I know it’s going to break your hearts, but I need to get going.”
“If Harper doesn’t give you flyers, let me know. I’ll make them.”
“I’m sitting right here,” Harper said.
“I know,” Olivia stated matter-of-factly.
“Goodbye, Milo.” Harper waved, and Milo took a bow before heading out with coffee in hand.
“You’re crazy if you don’t take Milo up on that offer.” Olivia would never let this go.
“Liv is right,” Isla said. “It’s an opportunity, and even if nothing comes of it, at least you tried. What harm can it do?”
“Plus, the more business you get, the more money you make and the closer to your ultimate dream you’ll be.” The thought was nice, but Harper would need to book a shit-ton of private paint night events to raise the capital needed to open a brick and mortar location. It was a nice thought, but stepping back and thinking of the grand picture, it seemed impossible.
“Even if it worked out, do you know how many parties I’d have to book to get even close to opening my own place?”
“You’d still be closer than you are now,” Olivia said. “Everyone has to start somewhere.”
“I’ll think about it,” she said.
“Think about that and the other thing,” Isla said. “Both will do wonders for you.”
Chapter 4
Milo made his rounds for the day, taking Ms. Wheeler to her eye doctor appointment, stopping at his parents to see Mom and assure her he was alive, helping his parents’ neighbor Mr. Harrison trim his hedges then to McConnell’s to grab a burger for lunch.
He took his usual seat at the bar and waited for Shane to finish with the book club ladies. The women spotted Milo, and all waved in unison. Being the people pleaser he was, he got up to properly greet each one.
“What are we reading today, ladies?”
Karen Smith held up her copy, and Milo squinted to see the words. “What’s it about?” he asked, then laughed when all the women turned their blank stares to Jean Kelly, owner of The Book Nook. She sighed loudly. “Do you ladies ever read the book?”
“Sometimes,” Karen Smith, pie maker extraordinaire and owner of Pie in the Sky said while Maria and Lillian took sips from their margaritas.
Jean Kelly shook her head, then took Milo’s hand and smiled warmly. “Thank you for helping me carry those books the other day.”
He had been walking by when he happened to peer into the store and see her struggling with a stack of books. Only a jerk would have walked by without going in to offer assistance. “It was my pleasure, Mrs. Kelly. And like I said, anytime you need help with something like that just give me a call.”
“You’ve always been such a respectful young man, hasn’t he?” She turned to the other women at the table who agreed.
“Shane keeping your margaritas topped off?” Milo gave a glance to his friend, who returned with a few more napkins for the table.
“We’ve trained him well,” Maria, owner of Shear Heaven, the local hair salon, said with a smile for Shane.
“You ladies enjoy your margaritas… I mean book club.” He winked and returned to the high back stool at the bar. He slid on top of the black leather seat as Shane got in place behind the bar.
He greeted Milo with a handshake, then took out his order book. “What are you having today?”
“Cheeseburger, extra pickles, no onion.”
“You got it.” Shane disappeared to the kitchen for a moment, then came back and leaned against the bar.
“Kind of slow today,” Milo said.
Shane scratched the back of his head. “A little bit, but the book club is keeping me busy.”
“I say enjoy this time. Once the weekend comes and Memorial Day kicks off the summer, this place will be a madhouse.”
“That’s what everyone keeps saying. I’m looking forward to it. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind the slow pace, but I like to keep moving.”
“I know exactly what you mean. Seems like a waste of a day if you’re not balancing multiple things at once.”
“Exactly.”
Olivia came out of the kitchen, carrying a tray piled high with appetizers. She handed them out to the book club and placed the tray against her thigh. “Anything else I can get you ladies?”
“Margaritas!” Lillian held her glass up, and Shane took the pitcher to meet the demand. He caught Olivia by the waist and placed a chaste kiss on her lips. Olivia smiled, and Milo was thrilled for her. After she caught her ex cheating and realized she wasted four years of her life on the jerk, she finally looked genuinely happy.
Olivia came over to the bar and plopped on the stool next to him. She was wearing sneakers, something Milo was still getting used to. Olivia loved her heels, and until a few weeks ago he hadn’t seen her in anything less than four inches since junior year.
“Didn’t I just see you?” she asked.
“I know you missed me.”
She laughed and stood on the frame of the stool, reaching over the bar to a glass of water. She sat down, pushed her chestnut hair out of her face, and took a sip of the water with a lemon wedge floating with the ice. “Make sure Harper gives you those flyers. I think you’re right that it’ll definitely help drum up business for her.”
“It’s why I offered. She needs reach, and she’s too damn stubborn to let anyone help her.”
“Trust me, I’ve only been trying to get her business on social media since before I moved back. She has a real chance at making this paint night a staple in the community. And did you see the vacant storefront at the end of Main Street is on the market again? It would be the perfect location for her vision.”
“She doesn’t have the money.” It was why he and Jasper paid more in rent, though Milo promised Jasper to keep that to himself. Harper didn’t take handouts, not even friendly offers.
“It’s just so perfect.” Olivia shrugged, and Milo could read between the lines.
“The last time I offered Harper money, she almost decked me. There is no way she would let me help her out with that. Even if I gave her a loan with interest. She’s too damn proud, you know that.” Milo had the money thanks to the lawsuit—more than enough—and if there was anyone he’d be willing to give it to, it was Harper. Unfortunately, trying to help that girl in any way was impossible. She was fiercely independent and, thanks to her mom, had a major chip on her shoulder for anything she deemed charity.
“I know, which is why I’m hoping she can at least take you up on the flyer offer. I just want to see her successful; she’s already sacrificed so much.”
She’d been accepted to three of the top art schools in the country then didn’t go. She’d been afraid to leave her mom and Tom alone. She had dreams of backpacking across Europe with nothing more than her paintbrushes, paint, and a canvas. She wanted to paint the Eiffel Tower, London Bridge, and The Grand Canal in Venice. Wanted to explore the places Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Degas perfected their crafts. To this day she still had never left New York.
Milo offered to take her for their twenty-first birthdays, and that’s when she nearly knocked him out before going on a rant about how expensive that trip would be, and she would not be comfortable with him spending all that money. Th
ey had made a promise they’d get there one day, but after that, they never talked about it again. He liked his face too much to risk it.
Harper had definitely sacrificed too much, but she didn’t see it that way.
“She wouldn’t agree with you,” he said.
“No kidding. I’ll keep prodding her, and you do the same. Maybe if we team up on her, we’ll annoy her enough she’ll have no choice but to give it a try.”
“Even if she doesn’t agree, I was planning on handing out her business card, anyway.”
Olivia’s eyebrow inched up. “She doesn’t have business cards.”
“I might have got some made.”
“She’s going to kill you.”
“Which is why we aren’t going to tell her.”
“Oh no. I am not lying to her.”
“It’s not lying if she doesn’t know. If she happens to find out, I’ll be the first to fess up. We’re just helping her out when she’s too damn stubborn to do it herself.”
Olivia nudged his shoulder. “She’s lucky to have you in her corner.”
“Right back at ya, Livy.” Olivia might have taken off to the city right after high school, but whenever Harper needed her, or any of her friends, Olivia came running. Her heart was bigger than her shoe collection, and Milo was happy to call her his friend, too.
Shane came back from topping off glasses and started refilling the pitcher, getting ready for the next round. “You need us to bring anything for the barbeque?” Shane asked as he poured the tequila into the pitcher.
“Nope, just yourselves. I have everything else under control.” Milo threw a Memorial Day party every year. It was his favorite holiday and something he looked forward to the minute the weather started to warm. And according to the news, the weather was supposed to be perfect for the holiday weekend, and he was ready to kick off summer right.
“I have high expectations,” Shane said. “Everyone has said it’s the party of the year.”
“I promise I will not disappoint.”
Connor, the owner of McConnell’s, Shane’s cousin and Milo’s childhood friend, brought out Milo’s burger. “Should’ve known this was for you,” Connor said and handed the plate over to Milo.
All Because I Met You (Morgan's Bay, #2) Page 3