Tame the Beast : Small Beach Town, Single Mom Romance

Joydon’tpissmeofflevine: I don’t know how you did it, but this was a terrible idea! Undo it right this second.

CookieJ: Did what honey? Are you talking about our tandem swimming classes we are starting on Thursdays?

Joydon’tpissmeofflevine: Mom, aren’t you all tired of meddling yet? Wasn’t last year with Hope me and Grace enough for you?

Ninasunshine: There is never enough love Joy. And we, as the righteous guardians of it, need to make sure it flourishes and prospers in our town. Can’t leave no stone unturned.

Joydon’tpissmeofflevine: Turn Zoe’s back around, Matteo is not for her.

Willoflove: And why not? What’s wrong with my boy?

Joydon’tpissmeofflevine: Willa, I say this with as much love as I can muster…

Joydon’tpissmeofflevine: Your son is a manwhore and I won’t have him mess up my friend’s head. He’s been filling it with nonsense already, and she started getting that dreamy look on her face that means trouble to her heart later on.

CookieJ: So, what you mean to tell us is that operation “tame the beast” is already a success?

Ninasunshine: I must admit, I thought it would be harder to crack that tough cookie.

Willoflove: I need a moment here. These happy tears won’t stop.

Toughtolove: Hold your hippy horses. I have solid intel that Zoe has walls up higher than even Joy did.

CookieJ: Fanny there are no hippy horses.

Toughtolove: Are you suffering from selective reading?

Joydon’tpissmeofflevine: Are you all suffering from selective hearing?

21

Never Have I Ever

Matteo: Never have I ever made breakfast for my girl.

Zoe: Matteo, we are not playing that game.

Matteo: Never have I ever enjoyed someone scowling at me.

*Zoe rolls her eyes*

Matteo: Never have I ever gotten hard from an eyeroll before.

Zoe: You need help.

22

Zoe

“Love is shown more in deeds than in words.” – Saint Ignatius

Two days of this man living in my house and I am already losing it.

He’s everywhere I look. His scent is in every corner of every room. His voice fills the once empty space with life and laughter as he plays with Mellie. Those winks and crooked smiles he throws my way every time he catches my eyes on him have a toxifying effect on me.

As in, they light my insides up, setting a kaleidoscope of butterflies over the wild, long-forgotten hills.

I’m limping, for Pete’s sake. From how hard I’ve been clenching my thighs every time I hear that husky timbre of his voice.