Wild Tendy (IceCats 2)

She gives me a small smile. “Nope, but there is someone who is made for Nico Merryweather. You just have to find her, and she isn’t on Tinder. She’ll be the one you never saw coming.”

Chandler goes to her, kissing the top of her head before sitting beside her. He looks at her, this overwhelming expression of love on his face. “All I wanted was a cup of coffee, and I got the world.”

She leans into him as she beams, and my heart actually feels it. It’s not often that emotion takes over for me, but right now, it’s happening. I really enjoyed watching Chandler fall for Amelia. It’s almost like she was made just for him. I look around at the home they’ve built. When they got pregnant, Chandler had an addition added to their beach house to make room for the kids. The house doesn’t look like a bachelor pad anymore. It’s a home for his family.

I think I want this. It would be so much easier. I could find someone who gets me, like Amelia said. I could have the house and someone who would love me for my craziness. Shit, do I want a wife? I watch as Chandler kisses his son’s head and then his daughter’s. When Sadie, Chandler’s dog, climbs up with them, I feel like I might die from the cuteness. But then Chandler’s eyes meet Amelia’s, and this little smirk covers his lips. He looks as if he’s on the highest cloud in the sky. I’ve known him for a really long time, and only Amelia does that for him.

One woman.

One woman makes him that happy…

Interesting.

Chapter Two

Aviva

I blow at a piece of hair that has fallen out of my ponytail as I take the fresh bread out of the oven. I place the pan on a cooling rack before rushing to put in the next tray of bread. I’m dragging ass this morning. I woke up late since I was up late with Callie, being a good big sister by helping her with her project on Queen Elizabeth. One thing for sure, I wish I had the queen’s life. Instead, I’m the queen of a sub shop.

I’m so winning at life.

I rub my eyes as I set the timer, another yawn taking over as I start cutting up veggies after washing my hands. Usually Callie helps in the mornings, but with how late we stayed up and her having gymnastics today, I felt she needed the sleep. She works her ass off at school, here at the shop, and at the gym. She can sleep in while I suffer. That’s what a good big sister does. Or a stupid one.

Ed Sheeran’s “I Don’t Care” blasts through the shop as I sing at the top of my lungs. It’s the only time I can listen to music from the current decade. When the shop opens, 90s is all that plays since we’re a 90s-themed sub shop. The shop is full of crazy bright colors. The booths are all retro greens and yellows. The walls are decorated with memorable images from the 90s. Rugrats, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, New Kids on the Block, Friends… Anything that happened in the 90s adorns the shop. My mom used to be a tour manager before she opened the shop, so the walls are plastered with pictures of her and many 90s stars. It’s pretty badass, and while I love the 90s, sometimes I want to listen to some Five Seconds of Summer or Dan & Shay. Yes, the best music was made in the 90s, but there are some bangers now. Problem is, I refuse to change anything about this shop. It’s vintage, it’s my mom, and I won’t mess that up.

Alec Benjamin starts singing his jam, “Let Me Down Slowly,” and I bob my head to the beat. This is Callie’s favorite song, and usually she sings it from her soul as she’s busy doing whatever needs doing in the shop. Our subs are the best here in South Carolina. Each sub is themed after something from the 90s. Our “How You Doin’” salami sub is our best seller. But then, our “Carlton” tuna is right up there. Really, everything sells well.

Everyone in town comes to the shop, and we stay busy as hell, which is tough since it’s only Callie and me who work here. Thankfully our customers are pretty patient. They get distracted by the ambiance of the place, which gives us time to get subs out. Plus, our subs are damn good. Our secret vinaigrette is what brings all the people in. I was taught how to make it when I was seven. Back when things were the best. Now…now, things are a bit suspect.

When I hear the shower running, I glance at the clock. Oh good, Callie woke up to her alarm. I really wanted to get all this done, and if I’d gone upstairs to wake her up, I might have gone back to bed. I don’t have time for that, though. It’s a Thursday, our biggest sub day because it’s Throwback Thursday. All subs are buy one, get one fifty percent off. It’s gonna be one of those days that I fall face first into my bed by eight. A yawn leaves my body at just the thought. Which reminds me to start the espresso machine.