Page 22 of Beachside Kisses With My Enemy

“Sure he did.” Elisse shoots me an exaggerated wink. “If I hadn’t been busy at the vineyard helping Mom get set up for photos this week, I’d have been to town to see you two go at it myself. Would have brought my popcorn, parked myself outside, and enjoyed the show.”

“Me too.” April laughs, then presses her lips together when she looks back at me. “I mean…”

Kelsey just squeezes my arm again.

I dash a grateful look her way. “You’d have all been sorely disappointed, because after I set him straight last week and talked sense into the people waiting in his line, the Robin has been flooded with guests again, and I haven’t said a word to him.”

I can’t tell you how extremely satisfying it’s been to see his line dwindle after Memorial Day weekend. It was so good to know I’ve done something right, that—even though I may not have grand aspirations of opening my own business someday like Chloe and Marilee, and I’m not building a family legacy like Kelsey and Elisse or writing books like April—I’ve at least helped my community. I’ve provided some sort of service to Winona, who is depending on me.

And it doesn’t hurt that I brought Blake a little kick in the pants too.

“In fact,” I continue, “I don’t think we’ll be seeing much of Blake anymore. He’s probably already contemplating whether to pull the plug and leave town.” Do I really believe it? No. He doesn’t strike me as someone who will give up easily. Then again, what’s Hallmark Beach to him, really? If he finds himself facing too much opposition here, I can see him pulling up stakes and heading to the nearest place that will give him the opportunity for success.

That’s all that matters to him anyway.

“I don’t know, friend.” Kelsey’s turned her attention to the back doorway that leads out to the patio. “That doesn’t look like someone ready to leave.”

I follow her line of vision and hold back a sigh. Because there’s Blake, channeling a used car salesman as he shakes hands with folks—those he’s known all his life and a few newer faces to town, including Chloe’s boyfriend, Frederick—and offers a smile.

Once again, there’s something forced or uncomfortable in it, but he’s schmoozing with the best of them. Apparently, he’s figured out where he stands in Hallmark Beach and must be looking to change his reputation by volunteering and endearing himself to the community.

It’s a brilliant move, and I hate him for it.

“Excuse me,” I say to my friends as I push through the crowd, grab his arm, and tug him away from the group. “What are you doing here?”

“Do you mind?” Blake stares down at where my hand is touching his bare forearm.

Unwanted electricity shoots through me, and I pull my hand back to myself, flexing it. “Sorry.” Dang it. I don’t need to be apologizing to him. I straighten. “I mean…” Ugh, why is talking suddenly such a flustering activity? “I-I know what you’re doing here.”

“Funny.” He pins me with a look while absently rubbing the spot on his arm where I touched him. “You just asked me, and now you suddenly know?” There’s a tic in his jaw that draws my attention. And not because it makes his whole profile more intense. More chiseled. Nope.

I’ve been staring—gawking—too long. “I know, because I know you, Flake. You want to pretend like you care about this place, so you’re at this meeting as some sort of goodwill gesture.” I fold my arms over my chest. “But we don’t want you here.”

“You aren’t the authority on all things Hallmark Beach, Sunshine.” He pushes a hand through his hair, which doesn’t budge an inch. The move is so nonchalant, like he doesn’t have a care in the world. Like this conversation is just a pesky blip on the barometer of his day. “Need I remind you who was actually born in this town? So thanks for trying to speak for everyone else, but I belong here just as much as—if not more than—you do.”

“Being born here isn’t everything.” I lean in, my voice sizzling. But I smile, because I know Elisse and company are watching—and her quip about the line between love and hate is reverberating around in my brain. If she knew our complete history, she’d never let me hear the end of it. Best to let all thoughts of me ever having loved Blake Moffitt die a painful death right here and now.

So, with a sickly-sweet tone, I manage to keep a straight face devoid of the grimace I really want to display. “It’s the ones who stick around who are the true citizens of Hallmark Beach.”

His face twists, and for a moment, I feel the tiniest inkling of guilt. But he deserves my ire. Doesn’t he?

“Hey, Blake.”

We both startle and turn to find Thomas standing there. Today he’s wearing a bright orange polo that matches his hair. His attention shifts to me. “Hi, Luce.” His cheeks pink up a bit. “I saved you a seat.”

“Oh, thanks, Thomas. That was really thoughtful.”

He nods once, twice.

Blake just glares at him. What in the world? What’s he got against Thomas? Sure, the guy is a little…enthusiastic. But he’s polite and sweet, which is more than I can say for Flake over here. Besides, Thomas is the one who actually stood up to me for Blake when he arrived. You’d think Blake would be his biggest fan.

Thankfully, Thomas doesn’t seem to notice the daggers Blake is shooting his way. “When I saw you show up, Blake, I approached Chloe and told her we’d love to have you on our committee.”

Hold the phone. “We what?” I practically screech.

Blake shakes his head. “Oh, that’s really nice, bu?—”

“Here’s my brilliant Picnic Team!” Speaking of the princess, she appears out of thin air like some sort of good fairy. Except if it’s true she assigned Blake to my group, she’s dead to me. Well, not really, but she’d best have a good reason for her betrayal since she knows how I feel about him.

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