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Without hesitating I click on the “contact owner” and filled out the required information, including my personal email address. Feeling satisfied, I closed the lid to my laptop and snuggle down in my cozy cotton blend comforter and drifted off to the scenes of the beach and boats from the OBX show. Forget, Wade. I’m moving onto bigger and better things without him. I have some money and Gramp’s boat. Life’s good. Even if winter was cold and lonely.

Five

“Beat that, calendar boy.” I lifted the bar so Hunter could slide out from underneath.

“I knew I’d regret telling you about that.”

“How is your sister, anyway?”

My face reddened and not from the round of sets Hunter and I were doing. “Remind me to kick your ass later.”

“It was only a few stolen kisses.”

“Which time?” My jaw tightened as I lifted the weighted bar, exhaling as I quickly raised my arms before lowering them.

“She was a hot elf. Should’ve won.”

“If I had known, best friend or not, I would’ve whooped your ass, bro.”

“She tasted like cotton candy after a summer rain….”

“That’s it.” Jerking the bar up, I racked it, slid down and went after him. Some of the other lifters got pissed. I simply told the truth. “He made out with my sister and lied to me about it.”

Ping.

My cell interrupted the beating I was about to give Hunter.

My eyes shifted from him, egging me on with a grin to my cell lying next to my water bottle. It could be work. It wasn’t. It was an alert from the rental app. I clicked open the app, reading the message.

From: [email protected]

To: homeowner1278

SUBJECT: Weekend rental?

Hi,

My name is Ryan, and I am interested in renting your beach home for a long weekend for my pregnant girlfriend to relax and enjoy a getaway. I am looking for a Friday-Sunday stay, leaving Monday morning. By chance is President’s Day weekend available?

Ryan

I replied immediately. A guy with a pregnant girlfriend sounded like perfect renters. There would be no raging parties or spilled beer to ruin my perfect beach bungalow. My sister bought all cream-colored chairs and couches and I had smacked my head. Sure, it was beachy and beautiful but not so much renter friendly colors.

From: homeowner12678

To: [email protected]

SUBJECT: Weekend rental?

Hi Ryan,

My home is available for those dates. Since it is off season, you’ll see in the calendar the rate is $699 a night. As stated in the listing, there is a no-smoking, no pet policy. I hope your girlfriend has an enjoyable stay. If you need anything while there, don’t hesitate to reach out. There will be a lock box with a key left on the porch. Four hours prior to your arrival after I’ve received payment in full, I will send you the code.

Enjoy your stay,

C.C.

A reply hit my inbox within minutes. Boom. I had my first booking. In no time my investment would make me money and more importantly the house was a memory my sister and I would always share. Satisfied at how easy it was, I put my phone down to go looking for Hunter. He was by the Nautilus equipment chatting up a blonde. I shook my head. He was leaning in, grinning, offering her pointers on how to get a better workout.