Serendipity by Carly Phillips Page B

and laughed. “I’m not ready to date,” she admitted.
    Yet she’d kissed Ethan. What was it about him, she wondered. The bad-boy charm? The wounded soul inside? A kindred spirit in some sense?
    â€œEarth to Faith.” Nick snapped a finger in front of her face.
    â€œSorry,” she said, startled.
    â€œI should let you go in and get some sleep.”
    She nodded. “I am tired.”
    They said good night and she let herself inside but knew sleep would be a long time coming, thoughts of Ethan’s bottled-up pain and his fathomless dark eyes keeping her tossing, turning, and awake.
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    A week after Faith had agreed to take on Ethan’s job, she met Nick at the storefront. He’d arrived earlier than she had, and by the time she showed up he was already stacking boxes in the corner of her store.
    Her store.
    He’d provided her with a standard lease a few days earlier and she’d taken it to the man with the most established shingle in town, Richard Kane. Nash Barron was the other lawyer in town and she wouldn’t be going to him. Richard had read through it, made a few changes, and negotiated them with Nick. He’d charged a reasonable fee, she felt like she’d protected her interests, and she’d signed on the dotted line.
    So here she was, in her store. “What’s in those?” she asked, gesturing to the plain brown boxes.
    Nick turned to face her. “You tell me. The UPS guy delivered them fifteen minutes ago. They have your name on them.”
    She raised an eyebrow and strode over. Carstairs Designs’ distinctive label stared back at her from the top of the box.
    â€œRecognize the name?”
    â€œActually, I do. Joel Carstairs is my good friend. He’s a decorator and he’s way too generous!” she said, her excitement rising. “He promised to send me samples and books to get me started, but this looks like he’s sent me enough to stock this place!”
    â€œThat’s some good friend.” His tone held a question with no note of jealousy.
    Some time since that disastrous kiss, they’d become more comfortable with each other. Even more than when they’d been boyfriend and girlfriend.
    â€œJoel’s a friend. In fact, he’s gay, so there’s no possibility for anything more,” she said, being honest with Nick. “Which has always taken the pressure off, you know?”
    He grinned. “Yeah, I do.”
    â€œCoffee for the workers!” Kate’s voice rang out from the doorway. She strode inside, a cardboard holder in her hands and the now familiar disposable coffee cups inside.
    â€œOh, you wonderful person, you!” Faith made a beeline for the caffeine.
    â€œNot so wonderful. Bored. I’m a teacher on summer break and I need to be busy! Put me to work, please!”
    Faith laughed. “I thought you were volunteering at the youth center.”
    â€œPart-time. I’d love to help you!”
    Faith eyed her friend, then shrugged. “Okay, but be careful what you wish for. See those boxes over there? I’d love it if you would start unpacking them. Organize them by fabric, wallpaper, whatever different goodies are in those boxes. We’ll decide where to put them once Nick finishes his part.
    â€œYes, boss!” Kate saluted. “What will you two be doing?” she asked.
    â€œFiguring out where to put shelving, hanging some pictures, and ordering a sign for outside—once I figure out a name for this place.” Faith studied the walls, envisioning the prints she’d chosen to take with her before leaving New York.
    â€œI’ll brainstorm names with you,” Kate offered.
    â€œI’d love that. But first”—Faith pointed to the coffee—“which one’s mine?”
    â€œLatte for you.” Kate handed her one cup, then pulled out another for herself. “Chai tea for me.”
    â€œHey, what about me?”