Contents
Chapter 3
Overview
Nora nearly collides with a handsome local, then spots— and confirms via email— that editor Charlie Lastra is also in Sunshine Falls. After a quiet “Hepburn night” with Libby, Nora secretly starts apartment hunting for her sister. Late that night, Nora and Charlie exchange playful, revealing emails that thaw their rivalry and hint at mutual attraction.
Summary
Nora dodges a door held by an impossibly handsome stranger and enters a coffee shop, where she spots a man who looks like editor Charlie Lastra. Unsure, she tests the theory by emailing him; his real-time replies confirm it’s Charlie. Flustered, Nora slips out before he notices.
Back at the cottage, Nora tells Libby about seeing Charlie. Too tired to tackle their small-town bucket list, they declare a “Hepburn night,” watch The Philadelphia Story, and relax. Sensing Libby’s exhaustion has practical roots, Nora resolves to fix it and quietly emails her real estate contacts to find Libby’s family a bigger, affordable place.
Later, unable to sleep, Nora sits on the deck with wine. An email from Charlie sparks a lively exchange about the Bigfoot erotica link she sent and Dusty Fielding’s novel. Their banter turns candid: Nora defends her positive-reinforcement approach; Charlie admits bluntness and poor first impressions. They revisit their prickly first meeting, acknowledge mutual misreads, and slide into teasing flirtation, ending the night with tension defused and interest implied.
Who Appears
- Nora StephensNarrator; spots Charlie in town, retreats, comforts Libby with a Hepburn night, and flirts over email while defending her agenting style.
- Charlie LastraEditor; unexpectedly in Sunshine Falls, trades witty late-night emails with Nora about Bigfoot erotica and Dusty’s book, softening their rivalry.
- Libby StephensNora’s pregnant sister; tired, opts for a cozy movie night. Unwitting focus of Nora’s secret apartment search.
- Sally GoodeCottage owner who left a bottle of pinot; her wine accompanies Nora’s late-night emailing.
- Handsome StrangerUnidentified, striking local who briefly holds the coffee shop door, sparking Nora’s small-town-romance fantasies.