Page 10 of Newcomer

We walk back to the checkout counter with Megan hopping excitedly while holding her painting kit.

“Thank you for your help,” the guy says. “We only moved here recently, but she’s been wanting to come here since the first day we drove past.”

“Welcome to Stillwater then. I’m fairly new here too. I’ve been here a year.”

He takes his credit card from his wallet and hands it to me. “I’m Harrison, by the way. I have a feeling you and my credit card are going to be regular acquaintances.”

I look at him, and he seems to realize what he’s just said because all color drains from his face.

I laugh. “Don’t worry. I know what you mean. Megan is really sweet, and I hope to see her here often.”

After they leave, Sage saunters to me with the creepiest smile I’ve ever seen, which, when I remember he’s given me a dick plant today, makes me feel a little uneasy.

“Harrison's hot,” he says.

“Yup.”

“Did you know he's also single?”

“Uh-huh,” I reply. I did notice Harrison didn't have a ring.

“Maybe he’ll come back soon.”

“Mm.”

He wiggles his brows and winks in a way that looks like he might be having a stroke.

“Don’t you have some boss things to get on with?” I ask, hoping he’ll leave me alone.

“Nope.”

“I’m not asking out a customer who I’ve just met while trying to sell him a craft kit for his daughter. Besides, he was good-looking but not my type.”

Sage seems to relent and decides that since it’s my anniversary, I should finish work early.

I stare at the weird plant next to my bag.

Today definitely deserves a drink.

I pull out my phone and send Fletcher a message.

Arlo:Meet me at The Academy? I just finished work.

Fletcher:Sure. Just need to grab a shower. I’ve got paint everywhere. Meet you there.

As I walk down the road toward the bar while holding a dick plant, I think about Sage’s words this morning. I need a plan to get the people from Stillwater to accept me as one of their own, or I’ll never get a spot at the craft fair.

Maybe going to The Academy is a good start. If I’m seen by the locals as supporting one of their businesses, they might give me a break. Right?

5

LEVI

“Okay, try this one,”I say, placing the tall glass on top of the bar.

Penny looks at it and then smells it before taking a sip.

“Mm, this is good. What is it?”