Page 19 of Back to Me
“Have you been looking for another artist?”
“Not since I opened my shop back up. I have gotten a lot busier now though so an extra set of hands will really help. Even just with piercing while I trial her work will be a big help.”
“That’s great! Is it someone from here in town?”
“That’s the thing, she said she used to live here, moved away but decided that it was time to come home. I didn’t recognize her though.”
“What was her name?”
“Gabriella.”
“Was she our age?”
“If not, she would be a close to it.”
“Maybe she moved here late because I don’t remember the name. If only Cash wasn’t being an asshole, we could ask if he had a Gabriella in his year.”
“Yeah, I think I would rather wait and get to know her and find out that way.” I couldn’t help but laugh. Sliding the box of cupcakes over to Austin.
“Can you take these while I go get the rest of my stuff. Then we can go.” I started packing the rest of the ones in the glass case away. If I was going to see my parents tomorrow, I would take them with me. Taking the cash from the register, I went into the back to lock it in the safe. After checking the back door, I grabbed my things from my office and walked back out to Austin.
“We have to stop and get Belle on the way. Beau and the guys are meeting us there.”
“Does Tye know you are bringing chaos to his bar?”
“No, I thought I would surprise him.”
“Oh Lord help them.” I motioned for him to turn around and pointed to the door. He laughed, walking out of it. Turning the sign to closed, I shut the door behind me and locked it. I walked over to where Austin had parked his truck.Climbing up into it when he held the door open for me, I took the box from him, and he shut it behind me. He went around the front and got in, starting it up.
“They love us.”
“I’m sure they do, the amount of money you would all spend in there, makes up for the fact you scare everyone else off.”
“We don’t scare them all!” I snorted. “Okay, well at least we don’t get kicked out or cut off.”
“That makes things so much better!” I laughed and shook my head. It didn’t take us long to get to Beau and Belle’s house. It was in a neighborhood that I’d loved growing up. I looked around here when I first came home but all the houses seemed huge for just one person. I didn’t want to count on Austin and I getting back together so I picked a house a little smaller, closer to my shop. “Wow, this house is gorgeous!”
“You should see what Belle has done to the inside. Before she moved in, it was cold and uninviting, but she made it warm and welcoming. In Beau’s defense though, he didn’t care because he was never here long enough.”
“Doesn’t Belle get lonely here while he is at work?”
“Some nights I think she does. When she first moved in and was getting used to him working the night shift, she would come spend time with Savannah or me. If she has a long day at the shop, then she usually just calls it an early night.” Turning off his truck once he parked, he got out. I sat the cupcakes on the dashboard and took my belt off. Opening the door, I got out and followed him up to the front of the house. Before he could knock, Belle had the door open and was motioning us inside, holding up one finger, then ran up the stairs. She had her phone to her ear, so we didn't stop her to say hello. I looked around the house and Austin was right. It was an open space and the color scheme she had gone with, went right through the house. Although, they had no personal photos hanging anywhere. None of the family. I turned to Austin.
“Where is Belle’s family?”I asked quietly.
“Not sure about her mom, I think she is back in Australia, but her dad is now between here and New York.”
“Oh, that is the accent I can hear?”
“Yep! That’s where she was born.”
“Where was who born?” I looked at the stairs as she came walking back down, now carrying a jacket and wearing her boots. She was no longer on the phone, so she greeted us with a hug. “Sorry about that. Someone was busting my ass about going out tonight and being hungover at work tomorrow.”
“All good.” He hugged her. “Oh great, so they are now shifting their weird freak-out onto you. Good to know.”
“Let her try, she knows I won’t put up with her shit. I’ll just leave and come work with you until she pulls her head out of her ass. See how she gets on with the bookshop without me.” I shook my head.
“Why did I think coming back and seeing you and Dallas would be the hard part?” I raised a brow at Austin in question.
