Page 87 of Tempt
“Are you sure? I sing in the shower, you know. And I’m not good.”
“Oh yeah? What’s your favorite song to sing in the shower?”
“It changes. This morning, it was ‘Beautiful Day’ by U2.”
“A classic.” I rubbed my thumb over her lips. “And today is beautiful.”
* * *
We said goodbye on Wednesday morning before I left for work.
“I wish I could take you to the airport,” I told her. “Are you sure you don’t want me to get a Cole Security car for you?”
“I’m sure,” she said, zipping up her roller bag. “I’ll just grab a cab. Let’s not risk anything to link us together.”
I laughed. “It’s not like Cole Security cars have a logo on the side, Millie. They’re totally discreet.”
“Even so,” she chided. “I’ll feel better on my own.”
“Okay.” I took her in my arms and held her tight, her head tucked beneath my chin. “Thanks for coming here.”
“I enjoyed every moment.”
“Think about Vegas, okay?” I was headed there on another job in a few weeks, and I’d invited her to meet me.
“I will.” She tipped her head back and our lips met one last time.
I held the door open for her and gave her arm one final squeeze, then watched as she left the room and headed down the hall toward the elevator. “Be safe,” I called quietly.
She glanced at me over one shoulder and blew me a kiss, all my instincts told me not to let her go.
CHAPTER18
MILLIE
NOVEMBER
My last few weeks at Cloverleigh Farms flew by.
October was booked with weddings every weekend, and when I wasn’t busy preparing for them, I was getting everything in order to ensure a smooth transition for Winnie. Mr. and Mrs. Fournier at Abelard said they were sorry to lose her, but they totally understood her decision to move over to Cloverleigh Farms.
During my weeknights and days off, every moment was spent preparing to launch my new business. Even mundane things like securing my tax identification number from the state gave me a thrill. I hired a website and graphic designer, opened a bank account, finalized the terms of the loan from Hutton, signed the lease for my dream space, hired a contractor, switched the utilities into my name, and scheduled interviews with potential employees.
On my last day at Cloverleigh Farms, my co-workers threw me a little farewell celebration in the bar at the inn, complete with a cake made by Frannie’s bakery that said Good Luck, Millie with Cloverleigh’s signature four-leaf clover on it. I was moved by all the kind things everyone said, all the hugs and well wishes, and by all the encouragement from women who heard about the shop I was opening and said, “It’s about time.”
During the party, my dad caught me wiping tears from my eyes. “What’s this?” he asked. “Second thoughts?”
“No,” I assured him. “I’m just overwhelmed by everyone’s support. And I feel like I’m saying goodbye to a chapter of my life, you know? I have a lot of happy memories in this place.”
He wrapped an arm around me and kissed my head. “You’ll always have a home here.”
I tipped my head onto his shoulder, my heart too full to find words.
Starting the very next day, I dedicated every hour and all my efforts to turning Millie Rose from a vision in my head into reality. During the first week in November, I picked up the keys and drove straight to my new business address. My sisters surprised me later that afternoon by showing up with a bottle of champagne—we popped the cork and poured three glasses.
Goosebumps blanketed my skin as I turned around inside the empty space.
“To Millie Rose—the shop and the woman!” shouted Winnie.
