The Fix (The Carolina Connections, #1)(60)
Some of the guys and gals from Nate’s work were here too, and I recognized a few of them, specifically Mark with the cock-sure smile and Doug who, for some reason, was wearing a Hawaiian print shirt for the holiday. I also noticed that Mark hadn’t taken his eyes off Fiona since she walked outside. Oh my.
Nate made his way back to the grill and announced that the food was ready. People wandered over to fix a plate. It didn’t escape my notice that Rocco wasn’t among them. I spied his little head through the treehouse window, along with that of Aiden and one other little girl from their daycare. If that view wasn’t a balm to my soul, I didn’t know what would be.
“Hey, Shortcake.” A male voice sounded behind me. I turned around to see Mark lean back on the deck railing next to Fiona, doing the oh-so-casual arms crossed to show off my big biceps thing—hey, it’s a thing, trust me. He was also giving her that super cocky smile and I almost felt sorry for him. He had no understanding that the phrase “big things come in small packages” was coined with Fiona specifically in mind.
“You talking to me, Meat-head?”
Oooh. This was going to be fun.
Gavin came over, draped his arm around my shoulders, and whispered in my ear, “Excellent. Dinner and a show.” I snorted.
“Hey, I was just trying to say hi. You don’t need to be insulting,” Mark said to Fiona.
“I was just returning the favor. Run along now.” She shooed him away.
Ouch.
Mark’s eyebrows rose. “I was also gonna tell you that the kids’ table is inside, Tinkerbell.”
Not bad.
Fiona’s jaw tightened. “What a coincidence because I was just going to tell you to go eat a bag of dicks.”
Hmm, an odd choice, but it hit its mark anyway.
“Are you always such a bitch to people you just met?” His casual stance was long gone and they were in a face-off.
“Only to complete morons.” Fiona’s mouth curled in distaste.
“What is your problem? Jesus, I don’t need this crap.” Mark stalked into the yard and away from my charming little bestie.
Fiona, completely unfazed, stepped up to the grill and grabbed a plate. “Oooh, are those sausages? I love sausage. Give me a big one, Nate.”
Gavin and I both started snickering, and Nate shot us a death glare.
After we’d all eaten and most of the crowd dispersed, I sat on Nate’s lap—he insisted and I’d learned not to question him on his opinions about my body. I sighed the sigh of a completely contented Laney.
“I love this day.”
He kissed my temple.
“Oh, hey,” Nate said suddenly. “I forgot to tell you. We rented the last space in the Old Oak Ridge property.” The project was wrapping up and they’d already signed rental agreements with a financial planning firm and some tech business but there was still one space left.
I mentally crossed my fingers and turned my face to his. “Oh yeah, what’s it going to be?”
He smiled that smile and I got the dimple. “A doughnut shop.”
“Oh my God! I love you!”
~THE END ~
Continue the series now with The Spark!
Or stay tuned for the first chapter to see what kind of trouble Fiona and Mark can cook up!
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BONUS SCENE, DOWNLOAD, and SYLVIE SAYS!
Here are three exclusive extras for this latest edition of The Fix:
Print and complete this fun crossword puzzle based on The Fix for your chance to win a signed paperback! http://bit.ly/TheFixCrossword
Want to read how Laney and Fiona met? Turn to the end of the book or click the link in the contents for this brand new, exclusive Bonus Scene!
Get a glance into the inner workings of Sylvie’s brain as she gets real about The Fix in Sylvie Says (after the excerpts).
About the Author
Award-winning author Sylvie Stewart is addicted to Romantic Comedy and Contemporary Romance, and she’s not looking for a cure. She hails from the great state of North Carolina, so it’s no surprise that most of her books are set in the Tar Heel state. She’s a wife to a hilarious dude, and mommy to ten-year-old twin boys who tend to take after their father in every way. Sylvie often wonders if they’re actually hers, but then she remembers being a human incubator for a gazillion months. Ah, good times.
Sylvie began publishing when her kids started elementary school, and she loves sharing her stories with readers and hopefully making them laugh and swoon a bit along the way. If she’s not in her comfy green writing chair, she’s probably camping or kayaking with her family or having a glass of wine while binge-watching Hulu. Or she’s been kidnapped—so what are you doing just sitting there?!!
**Winner of the 2017 National Indie Excellence Award for Romantic Comedy
**Winner of the 2017 Readers’ Favorite Silver Medal for Romantic Comedy
Thank you so much for reading The Fix – I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it! If you did, a review on your favorite book site is always appreciated!
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