Page 27 of Pinch of Love
Grace’s cheeks flamed red. “I wouldn’t even know where to start.”
“Seriously? Come on. You’ve got to live a little.”
This time, Grace snickered. “And you’re telling me that sexting will do that for me?”
“I have an idea,” I teased. “Hand me the phone one time, and I’ll send a crazy text to Jackson, and then I’ll hand the phone back to you.”
Grace started toward the door with Pancake and me following behind. “That sounds about as great of an idea as when you told me that Grandma Millie and Grandpa Renny would never know you threw a party as long as I was the one who cleaned the entire house.”
“And then strategically left all the evidence for them to find that pointed to me?” I smiled at the memory. “You were always such a goody-two-shoes.”
“I was not. I was completely wild.”
My brow arched. “How so?”
“I was always sneaking out to be with Jackson.”
“I suppose that’s wild.”
The moment we stepped outside, the warm heat wafted over us, and I suddenly felt like I was in Hawaii.
“All I need is sand beneath my toes, and I’d think I’m in Hawaii,” I hummed, following behind a lagging Pancake.
“Sounds like you and I need a date at Buttercup Lake.” She turned and stopped, glancing down at my sandals, and gasped.
“What? Is there a bug on me? What?”
“Your toe is like a Frankenstein toe.” Grace bent over like the mother she was to Izzy and hissed. “That’s getting worse by the minute, Maya. You should see someone.”
“They’ll just tell me not to walk on it.”
“Or they’ll bandage it properly and give you some crutches so it has a chance to stop swelling.”
“And ruin my vacation? I don’t think so.” I smiled lovingly at Grace. She could never turn off her mom mode, which was something I’d always adored, especially since our parents were anything but.
Grace laughed as Pancake licked my toe. “You’re so stubborn.”
“From what I remember, it runs in the family.”
Grace straightened. “Fine. We’ll talk more about this once I get my beverage. I’m dying of thirst.”
I nodded and happily followed Grace down to Buttercup Java, where the sign hung proudly. “Boy, Buttercup Lake has really changed.”
“Can you believe it?” Grace laughed. “I remember when the big deal was that the ice cream shop opened for summer, and we’d have to get our groceries at the same place Grandma got gas. Speaking of, she’ll be coming back home tomorrow.”
A giddy feeling rolled through me. “I can’t wait to see her.”
Grace opened the door, and the sweet smells of chocolate and coffee permeated the air.
“I think I just found my new favorite place in town,” I told Grace, spotting Izzy behind the counter. “So, this is where Izzy works? That’s fantastic.”
“And she loves it.” Pancake walked right in with Grace, and I smiled.
“Dogs are allowed?”
“Pancake is special. Abby lets her in because of Izzy.”
My brow arched. “Are you sure it’s Pancake who is super special and not Izzy?”