“I’m not gonna end up giving you shit, except maybe a few months’ rent after I have to kick your ass out when we sell this place,” I teased.
“If you’re so sure of yourself, why are you scared to bet me?”
She was starting to piss me off. Mainly because her challenge made me feel so on edge.
“You know what? You got it, Fern. Ten freaking grand. That’s how confident I am that you’re smoking crack right now.”
***
That afternoon, I brought over a realtor who’d been recommended to me to look at The Palm Inn. Even though Presley seemed determined to make a go of the bed and breakfast, I still needed to prepare for when she inevitably couldn’t since the Franklin Construction offer wouldn’t last forever.
I texted Presley to let her know Harry Germaine would be coming by around two that afternoon.
After I greeted him at the door, I let him in and began showing him around The Palm.
I suddenly heard loud music coming from the kitchen.
What the fuck?
I made my way over there, and Harry followed.
Fern and Presley were dancing—fucking dancing. And Fern was drumming a spoon against a pot. There was an ancient-looking tape recorder on the counter playing the music. After a few minutes, I realized what it was. The voice was all too familiar.
“Is that Gramps singing?” I asked.
Fern smiled wide as she banged on the pot. “Sure is.”
My grandfather used to play the banjo out front and sing along to old country songs. The neighbors would sit on the lawn and listen with their beers in hand. Those were some of the best memories. I never realized we had any of his performances recorded. I closed my eyes and took a few moments to transport myself back to that time.
“He kept a stash of himself singing on tape. Loved to listen to himself, that man,” Fern said.
“Just another wonderful memory here at The Palm Inn.” Presley smiled at me exaggeratedly.
“I know what you’re doing.” I groaned. “Don’t think I’m stupid.”
“Oh, I’m not even trying to pretend. My intentions are no secret, Miller.”
She winked at me, and I got the strangest urge to bend her over the counter and slap her beautiful ass. I definitely would be keeping that to myself.
Harry and I left the kitchen, and the music faded as we made our way around the house. I noticed Fern had left bras hanging to dry in several of the rooms. More than usual.
Harry cleared his throat. “I’m sensing a common theme here.”
“Not sure why she needs to do that. We have a damn clothesline out back.”
Actually, I knew why she’d spread them all around today. She was trying to mess with me.
“Well, hopefully once we start showing the place, you can clear them out,” he said.
I eagerly changed the subject. “So, what do you think in terms of a listing price?”
“I think we can go even higher than previously estimated, actually. Not to mention, now is a really good time to sell, given the market. I would highly suggest getting the ball rolling.”
That was excellent news, but somehow I felt a pang of guilt. Those two had gotten to me.
After we finished the tour, I walked Harry to the door. We stepped out front together.
I shook his hand. “I appreciate you coming out.”
“I’m just a phone call away whenever you’re ready to pull the trigger.”
Back inside, I found Presley and Fern in the kitchen.
“So did we scare him away?” Fern laughed.
“Hardly. He thinks we can get even more for The Palm Inn than Franklin wanted to pay. We really need to have another serious discussion, Presley.”
“Yeah, well, that won’t be happening tonight,” she said. “I have to get ready to go.”
After Presley exited the room, I looked over at Fern, who smirked at me.
“Already planning how I’m gonna spend that 10K.”
Determined not to dignify her comment with a response, I simply rolled my eyes before going in search of Alex.
I found him in his room. “Do you know what you want to do tonight?” I asked. “I get you all to myself.”
“I know. Mom’s going out. I love it when she goes out because I get to have takeout.”
“What’s wrong with your mom’s cooking? I like that better than takeout.”
“You’ll eat anything, Uncle Levi.”
“I guess that’s true.”
“I think my mom is going out on a date,” he suddenly announced.
I played dumb. “What makes you say that? I thought she was just meeting a friend.”
“I saw her putting on makeup and a pretty dress. It’s what girls do in the movies when they’re going out on a date.”
“Well, I think your mom deserves a night out whether it’s a date or not, right? She works hard to make sure you’re happy every day. She deserves some happiness, too.”
I stopped to take in my own words, which were a reminder that I really needed to stay out of Presley’s business. I regretted my conversation with her this morning. I should’ve never tried to make her feel guilty about going out with this dude just because he was Alex’s coach. That was a sad excuse to interfere. Why was I even doing it? It was messed up that I had a vested interest in whether or not she dated this guy.
I snapped myself out of my thoughts. “So what do you want to order tonight?”
“Is Iggy’s still around?” he asked.
“Yeah. How do you know about Iggy’s?”
“My dad told me about it the last time I saw him. He said he used to go there when he was my age. I haven’t asked Mom to take me there because I didn’t want to make her sad if I told her why I wanted to go.”
“Your mom can handle that. Just because your parents aren’t together anymore doesn’t mean they make each other sad.”
“I know. But I thought maybe it would make her mad. So I didn’t say anything.”
“Your dad and I both used to love Iggy’s, you know. They have the best fried chicken and biscuits—even better than the chicken your mom made the other night, which was really good, by the way.”
“Yeah. That’s what Dad said, that they have the best chicken. I wanna try it.”
“Iggy’s it is, then. I haven’t been there in ages.”
“Can we eat there?”
This town wasn’t very big. Without knowing where exactly Presley might end up tonight, I didn’t want to commit to taking Alex out where he could potentially spot her with the coach, so I made up a story.
“I was kind of looking forward to a night in. Is it okay if we just pick it up and bring it back here?”
He shrugged. “Yeah, okay.”
Presley interrupted us as she entered the room. “I just wanted to hug you before I leave, baby. I shouldn’t be gone too long.”
I felt my eyes widen. She wore a tiny black dress and high heels. She’d even put a flower barrette in her hair. It was a damn sexy look, and it made me all kinds of messed up inside to think of the message she’d be sending that guy.
“It’s no rush,” I managed to tell her. “We’re gonna have an early dinner and maybe watch a movie or something. Stay out all night if you want.”