“Yes! Off to break my baby in on some good ole country roads!”
As we pulled up to the Piercesons’ gate, Courtney let out a gasp. “Mother of God, I thought my parents had money!”
I laughed. “I know, right? You should see Layton’s place. My God, it’s my dream home. ”
Courtney looked over and smiled as she raised her eyebrows.
“Stop it, Court!” I said with a giggle.
I couldn’t believe how happy I was today. I knew it was because I was starting my new life, and I already had two jobs lined up. As much as Court had tried to say that it was because of my message fest with Layton last night, I knew that wasn’t true.
Courtney pulled up and parked her truck next to a BMW. We both jumped out and started to make our way up to the house. The front door opened, and Olivia came walking out with the biggest, fakest smile I’d ever seen.
“I don’t like her,” Courtney said.
I smiled back at her and whispered, “Neither do I. ”
“Well, hello, Whitley! Who’s your sidekick here?”
/> “Good morning, Olivia,” I said. “This is my best friend and business partner, Courtney Will. ”
Olivia looked Court up and down, like she was a bug that needed to be stepped on and killed immediately. “Well, welcome, Courtney. My Justin and Aunt Mimi are in the study. Come on in, and follow me. ”
Olivia turned, and we both followed her into the house. Courtney spun around and gave me a look that caused me to choke from holding back a laugh.
Olivia glared at me. “Do you need some water?”
The way she was staring at me made my skin crawl. “Um…no, thank you. I just had a tickle in my throat. ”
She gave me a slight smile, turned, and kept walking. She stepped up to two huge double doors and opened them. I smiled when I saw Mrs. Pierceson sitting there with Justin. I glanced over toward Justin, who was practically eye-fucking Courtney.
Men—they are all the same.
Olivia cleared her throat, and that seemed to bring her fiancé back to his senses. “Mimi, Justin, this is Courtney Will, Whitley’s best friend and business partner. ”
Justin stood and walked over to shake Court’s hand while Mrs. Pierceson followed.
“How wonderful! Miss Will, how long have you been in the party-planning business? And please, girls, I would like for you both to call me Mimi,” she said with such a sincere smile.
Courtney looked at me like she didn’t know what to say. I just grinned and nodded.
“Well, honestly, Mimi, this is all very new to me. My real full-time job is working as a freelance editor. ”
“Really? How exciting. What types of books do you edit?”
Ah hell, here we go.
Courtney smiled big. “Most of it is contemporary romance, but I also edit paranormal and thrillers, and I have some nonfiction thrown in there every now and then,” she said with a wink.
“You read books for a living?” Olivia asked with sarcasm oozing out of her mouth.
Court’s smile faded for one brief second. “I do a little bit more than just read them. I love my job. Plus, I can work anywhere I want, and it allows me to do other things that interest me, like helping Whitley. ”
Mimi clapped her hands and laughed. “Oh, Courtney, you and I are going to have to talk later. I love to read, and I need some new smut. ”
Olivia turned to her aunt with a shocked look on her face.
Courtney laughed and nodded. “I’d love to. ”