Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
“It’s true,” Devlin said.
“Wearing a Two Buckleys Home Improvement sweatshirt?”
“Also true,” I confirmed. “We just couldn’t wait.”
Gemma sighed. “It’s so romantic. I wish I could meet someone who’d fall in love with me so fast he had to whisk me off to Vegas and put a ring on it. It’s hard enough to get a guy to ask you to Homecoming, you know?”
I laughed. “You’ve got time. Don’t rush things.”
“Maybe finish high school first,” suggested Devlin.
“Good idea.” She laughed. “So what can I bring you to eat?”
As Devlin was paying the bill, I noticed all the signed celebrity headshots on the wall—actors, singers, comedians, politicians. “Wow. All those people have been here?”
“Yep.” Devlin scribbled his name on the check and stuck his credit card back into his wallet. “My brother Dash is up there somewhere.”
“That’s right! I keep forgetting I have a famous brother-in-law.” I scanned the rows until I found him, then squinted. “Wait a minute. Is that him?”
Devlin looked up and started to laugh. Someone had drawn pointy horns, a villainous mustache, and a devil’s goatee on his handsome face. “Yeah. That’s him.”
“Who did that to his picture?”
“Probably Ari,” he said, sliding out of the booth.
“Ari?” I followed him to the door, shaking my head. “That sweet, brown-eyed girl I met last night? Why?”
“Something happened with them years ago. I’m not sure what, but she can’t stand him.” He opened the door for me, and I stepped out into the sunshine. “So what would you like to do?”
“Everything!” I fished my sunglasses out of my purse and slipped them on. “Show me the town. I want to see where you grew up.”
“Okay.” He looked around. “Let’s go down by the water. We can tour the lighthouse. Then maybe we’ll take the ferry ride, if the water’s not too choppy. You get a nice view of the coastline from the boat.”
“Sounds great. Lead the way.”
I wasn’t expecting him to take my hand as we walked down the block.
Nor was I expecting to like it so much.
After the lighthouse and the ferry ride, Devlin took me to a restaurant called the Pier Inn, where his Aunt Faye greeted us from the hostess stand. “The happy couple!” she crowed. “Two for lunch?”
“Yes. Can we sit outside on the deck?” asked Devlin.
“Absolutely.” Faye smiled at me. “Right this way.” Menus in hand, she led us through a glass door out onto a deck where just a few tables were occupied, their bright red umbrellas open. “It’s beautiful today, isn’t it? Hard to believe it’s fall already. Soon we’ll be closing the patio for the season.”
I sat down and inhaled, the fresh air filling my lungs—lake and seaweed and a whiff of gasoline from the nearby docks. The temperature was in the low seventies, and the sky was a gorgeous bright blue with only a few puffy white clouds. The sunlight glimmered on the water.
A server came by, greeted Devlin by name, and took our orders. I wasn’t very hungry, so I just ordered a cup of ginger carrot soup. Devlin ordered a grilled chicken sandwich with French fries. While we ate, we discussed hiring a designer for the interior spaces—guest rooms, restaurant, bar.
“Do you know anyone?” he asked.
“Not offhand, but I have some friends whose families also own resorts that I bet can help me. They have beautiful taste.”
“Oh yeah? What resorts?”
“My friend Winnie Matthews is the event planner at Cloverleigh Farms, and my friend Ellie Lupo runs the tasting room at Abelard Vineyards.”
“I’ve been to both,” Devlin said. “Nice places.”
I set my spoon down. “In fact, I have to confess something.”
“What’s up?”
“I told Winnie the truth about us.”
His eyebrows shot up. “You did?”
“I couldn’t help it,” I said desperately. “I was going to burst if I didn’t say something, and Winnie knew all about you from the very beginning. Sorry if I betrayed your confidence.”
He finished a quarter of his sandwich. “Does she think you’re crazy?”
“Yeah. But she understands.” I looked out over the lake, at the sailboats gliding on the surface. It was peaceful and relaxing, but my insides were knotted up. I twisted my napkin in my lap, and Devlin noticed my discomfort.
“What’s wrong?”
“I feel kind of bad about this party tonight,” I confessed. “Your dad was so happy this morning when he was telling us about all the people he was inviting. He’s so excited.”
“Yeah.” Devlin picked up his water for a sip.
“And Veronica was so sweet. She offered to take me shopping if I needed something to wear.” I laughed ruefully. “I think she’s concerned I might show up in the Two Buckleys sweatshirt.”
“Hey. That sweatshirt looks great on you.”
“I do like it,” I said, “but I should probably wear something nicer to the party, and I didn’t really pack anything.”
“I promise you, everyone will be casual, but you can go shopping if you want. What time did they want to meet up?” He checked his phone.