Sweet

sweet THE TENNESSEE WHISKEY SERIES B. LOVE PROLIFIC PEN PUSHER Copyright © 2023 by B. Love All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. contents Meet me in Memphis! Preface Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Epilogue Also by B. Love meet me in memphis! What a time to be a Black girl who loves books! BLP is having our third event January 2024. For details, click here. preface I knew, as soon as our eyes locked, that I was going to fall in love tonight. one Mia Nothing in the universe can stop you from letting go and starting over. You may feel like home is the anchor in your storm, but leaving may well save you from drowning. Leaving home in a sense involves a sort of second birth in which we give birth to ourselves. Take the first step in faith. That quote had been the driving force keeping me from leaving Rose Valley Hills to return to the life I knew in Memphis. In my mind, I knew Rose Valley Hills was a better place for me to be, but the comfort and attachment to the place where I’d spent the entire thirty-five years of my life called out to me. It was crazy how the toxicity of a life you were familiar with could override the peace of a life you weren’t. I’d only been in Rose Valley Hills for three days, and so far, I wasn’t totally regretting my decision. It was so quiet and peaceful here. I lived away from the busiest areas of the medium-sized town. What I loved most about Rose Valley Hills was how its beach and art areas were separated from the downtown area. A lot of larger cities grouped their art districts with downtown, or downtown with their beaches, because they were all common attractions. Here, the artsy vibe appealed to a more laid-back crowd that didn’t prefer the hustle and wildness of the downtown nightlife, and consistent beach goers either spent their time working out, in the water, or reflecting and doing meditation. Logically, Rose Valley Hills was perfect for me, so I guess I just had to get used to it. My eyes scanned the living room that was filled with unopened boxes before I decided to go next door. This was my first day inside of my new home, and it hadn’t grown on me yet. Probably wouldn’t until I got everything unpacked. I’d spent the first three days here staying at The Rose Valley hotel, which was an experience all its own. My suite overlooked the boardwalk and beach, and I spent most of my time reflecting on what this move really meant for me. As I crossed the side patch of grass that separated me from my neighbor, a low hum escaped my sealed lips. It was so quiet here. Even with it being summertime, there were no kids out playing… no music blasting from cars as people left their homes… nothing but silence. After knocking on the wooden door, I took a step back and waited for Charlene to let me in. She was the reason I’d chosen Rose Valley Hills as my dwelling place. It took her a minute to come to the door, and I attributed that to her degenerative arthritis. Regardless, Charlene was a firecracker, even if she couldn’t move around as quickly and easily as she used to. I could see the pain in her eyes as she smiled, pushing the door open wider. “They get everything moved in?” she asked, looking over my head to the now empty driveway that was being occupied by two moving trucks just minutes earlier. “Yes, ma’am, thankfully.” “Are you staying at the hotel again tonight or home?” Home. That’s what this was now. Home. “Home, I suppose,” I answered, stepping inside, but she lifted her hand and stopped me. “Wha—” “Now I know you moved next to me because I asked you to, but I don’t want you thinking you’re going to spend your days with an old lady.” “Mrs. Charlene…” “I want you to go home, get dressed, and enjoy yourself.” “Bu—” “A good place to start is The Tipsy Grill. It’s walking distance from here, just as soon as you get to the beach. Tomorrow, we’ll make breakfast together, talk, and catch up.” With a huff, I took a step back as Charlene closed the door with a grin. My arms crossed over my chest as I stomped back over to my home. I wasn’t upset because she didn’t want to spend time with me; I was upset because she was absolutely right. Charlene was a retired teacher who spent her days as she saw fit, and I was sure I would be able to get away with doing nothing with her. I should have known that wouldn’t be the case though. Even when I was an eighth grader in her class, she pushed me to my limits, which was why she was the most influential teacher I’d ever had. Even after I graduated from high school, we kept in touch. She was the closest thing I’d ever had to family, and I valued her more than anything. Granting her request, I freshened up and dressed casually in ripped shorts, a plain t-shirt, and sandals. I loved wearing basics with nice accessories, so I put on a necklace, few rings, a bracelet, and ankle bracelet. My hair brushed over my shoulders in loose, flowing curls. After a few sprays of Commodity Milk perfume, I was headed back out of the door.