Ines Saint's NEEDS A LITTLE TLC

“I knew you were listening, and I knew you didn’t have it in you to be a silent anything. Why are you using your mom’s last name? Hiding from someone?”

Cassie closed her eyes and counted to ten, again. The words, we’re both professionals, Mr. Amador, let’s begin by treating each other as such, were at the tip of her tongue. True words. A perfect comeback. But she and Sam had been the best of childhood friends, and Sam’s words were just as true. After all, he had somehow known she was listening. But he didn’t have to know that if she could crawl through the airwaves, come out the other side, and hit him with his phone, she would.

*

Sam leaned back in his chair and tried to think above the many feelings coursing through him. Part of him had gone back to a time when he’d known Cassie like the back of his hand, and he couldn’t help but enjoy the situation. Ten years might have passed, but there was no doubt in his mind she’d hit him over the head with his own phone at that moment if she could.

“Sam?” she finally spoke.

“I’m here.” It was a normal response, but something within him recognized a deeper truth. He swallowed hard.

“Life is funny, right? It looks like our old shared interests have brought about the possibility of a business partnership. I can guarantee we’re right for the job, and I’d like my associate to meet with you soon to discuss it. When would be a good time for you?”

All business. He’d never heard her like that. They weren’t the same people they’d once been. Maybe she didn’t even want to hit him over the head with his phone.

The Amador brothers are committed to a new beginning for their quirky, storybook town. But they’re learning that every house needs a heart to be a home… Growing up, Cassie McGillicuddy was the one person who consistently made Sam Amador lose his steadfast outward cool. She was always full of both brilliant and harebrained ideas, and being around her had made him feel more alive. 

Until her biggest harebrained idea of them all. Asking him to teach her how to be a good kisser. Soon after, they’d broken each other’s hearts, and she’d disappeared. 

But now Cassie was back. And she meant business. 


Author Bio: Inés Saint was born in Zaragoza, Spain. She’s bilingual and bicultural and has spent the last decade raising her fun, inspiring little boys and sharing her life with the man of her dreams. Her greatest joy is spending quality time with the family members and close friends who happen to provide the inspiration for both the nutty and wise things her characters say and do. Website URL: www.inessaint.com