Read Online No More Secrets: A Small Town Love Story (The Pierce Brothers Book 1) by Lucy Score - Free Book Online

threw up the air quotes and Summer bit her lip trying not to laugh.
    “Exactly how many couples have they tortured into love?” she asked.
    “I don’t know. Something like twenty or so.” He turned so that he stood between her and their prying eyes.
    “And they all fall in love?”
    “They claim they have a one hundred percent success rate. Damn it. Fred and Phil just got married last month, so they’re probably looking for their next happily ever after.”
    “Maybe they’re talking about someone else?” They peeked at the front of the store and Willa, Rainbow, and Gordon all turned away. Gordon started whistling. “Or not.”
    “Let’s just get out of here. How do the boots feel?”
    Summer looked down at her feet. “Actually they feel amazing. They’re a perfect fit.”
    “Of course they are,” Carter grumbled.
    She turned sideways and looked in the long mirror. “They look good, too.”
    “Great. Awesome. Let’s go.”
    Carter grabbed the empty boot box and threw her moccasins inside. He grabbed her bag off of the chair and dragged her to the front of the store.
    “I can’t believe you’re so flustered,” Summer laughed.
    “Flustered? I’m not flustered.” Carter took offense.
    “Well, it was nice seeing you, Willa,” Rainbow said in a voice that was a little too loud.
    “Yeah, great to see you. You too, Carter and Summer,” Gordon waved as they hustled out the door.
    “How did he know my name?” Summer whispered, waving after him.
    Carter dumped the box on the counter. He tossed a credit card on the counter. “We’ll take them.”
    “There’s also a pair of socks,” Summer told Willa as she grabbed for her purse. “You can’t buy me these,” she said to Carter.
    “I can buy boots for an acquaintance. Because that is what we are. Acquaintances.”
    Willa smiled sweetly as she rang up the sale. “It looks like you found your ‘solemate.’ Which socks did you decide on?”
    “The turquoise ones with the uhh, little umm ...” Carter stalled.
    “The ones with the cute pink hearts on them? Aren’t you sweet?” She swiped Carter’s credit card. “And are you staying in town while you’re here, Summer?”
    “Uh, no. I’m staying on the farm.”
    “With Carter? How lovely! I have a feeling you’re going to have a wonderful time.” Willa winked.
    ––––––––
    C arter managed to calm himself down by the time they turned onto Main Street. And Summer relaxed enough to enjoy a look at the town square, a pretty green space with a gazebo and picnic tables.
    “One Love Park,” Summer read aloud from the park’s sign. She raised an eyebrow.
    “Honey,” Carter shook his head. “We’re just getting started.”
    He pulled into an empty parking space in front of Peace of Pizza.
    “Peace of Pizza and One Love Park? Promise me we’re going to take a walk after dinner,” Summer said, her gaze glued to the hodge-podge downtown.
    “Your feet are covered in blisters and you want to take a walk?”
    “I think I’ve proven that I’m willing to suffer for article research,” Summer sniffed.
    Carter shook his head in resignation. “If you save room for dessert, we’ll walk down to Karma Kustard for gelato after dinner.”
    Summer slid out of the truck. “One thousand words isn’t going to scratch the surface on this,” she whispered to herself.
    Peace of Pizza was all that she hoped it would be. They were seated in a cozy booth in the corner under a large poster of Jimi Hendrix. A lava lamp on the table bubbled lazy, orange blobs.
    Summer glanced around them. “Why did they put us back here away from everyone else?”
    They had walked past several tables full of diners, including a gentleman Carter had addressed as “Big Ben.” But it was just the two of them in the cozy little corner.
    The waitress delivered a pair of ice waters and a candle just as the lights in the restaurant dimmed.
    “God damn Beautification Committee,” Carter muttered under his breath.