A staged romance, tea breaks, and a summer full of surprises. Celene Vale didn't plan to leave her curated Manhattan life for her family's tacky old summer house. Renovations, a new façade-tangible fixes, even if she's not handy. Once it's sold, it'll be out of her hair, and she can move on to what actually serves her. If only her family could be updated along with it. Skye Florentine isn't a stranger to letting her head drift into the clouds. Nature and managing a local art shop usually keep her grounded, but she's restless for more. A chance encounter throws Celene into her world, and suddenly, even her daydreams can't compete. Can fake dating bring peace? Or will the boundaries blur beyond repair? Either way, neither of them is walking away unchanged. Hot Tea & Bird Calls is a cozy third-person dual-POV contemporary lesbian romance with slow-building heat, teasing banter, summer vibes, and a touch of woo. Book #2 of the Kissing at Work series, but can be read as a standalone.