Page 55 of Captiva Book Club

“You want me to be your plus-one at your ex-girlfriend’s wedding?”

“Sounds crazy, right?”

“I’m not sure. Are you mad at her? I mean, is this some sort of revenge date?”

He shook his head. “Absolutely not. I know it’s a bit unusual, but I’d be honored if you’d accept.”

She considered the proposal for a moment, weighing the pros and cons in her mind. It was unconventional, yes, but it could also be an interesting experience. And if nothing else, it would give her more insight into Luke Powell.

“When is it?” she asked.

“Three weeks from Saturday,” Luke replied, watching her closely. “It’s in Naples, so it’s not far.”

Katie nodded, her decision made. “Okay, I’ll go with you. But we should probably set some ground rules, don’t you think? Just to make sure everything goes smoothly.”

Luke raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.

“Ground rules? Like what?”

“Well, for starters, we should agree that this isn’t really a date, it’s, well…I’m not exactly sure what it is, but what I know it isn’t, is a romance. Agreed?”

He shrugged. “I’m not sure about that. I mean, I get that we’re not in that place right now, but can’t we leave that topic open for discussion?”

The twinkle in his eye suggested more between them, but Katie wasn’t ready for such declarations.

“We’ll leave that alone for now. What about Meredith? How are you going to explain me to her?”

“Let’s let Meredith worry about that. I don’t care what she thinks, and neither do I feel I owe her an explanation. I’ll be polite and wish her and her new husband all the best. I’m not angry with Meredith, and I want her to be happy. I’m not so self-absorbed to think she invited me for any other reason than to remain friends. I’m going to believe that she wants me to be happy.”

Her smile let him know that she liked his answer. It was the most she was willing to reveal. She was glad she’d accepted his invitation to Meredith’s wedding, and hoped there would be more opportunities to get to know Luke better.

As they continued their walk, the skies opened and a windswept rain came pouring down on them. He took her hand and together they ran back to The Mucky Duck. Finally under the protection of the awning, he pulled her close and rubbed her arms.

“Are you cold?” he asked.

She shook her head and looked into his green eyes.

“A little,” she answered. It was a small lie, but the only way she could stay close to him. When the rain stopped, they walked up Andy Rosse Lane and then across to the marina.

“I’m sure the rain has stopped in Sanibel by now, but you take care driving home,” he said.

She nodded.

“Thanks for the walk. If I don’t talk to you before, I hope you have a Merry Christmas,” she responded.

“You never know, maybe I’ll call Christmas Eve to wish you the same,” he said.

“Won’t you be busy helping Santa and his reindeer take off?” she asked, remembering his driving Santa’s boat at the Christmas Parade.

He smiled and nodded. “Once we get him in the air, I’m free to do what I want.”

She laughed at his answer, gave him one last wave, and then drove away.

CHAPTER 19

Maggie had just finished helping Oliver in the kitchen, sharing her scone recipe for him to modify the way he wanted. Once she was done, Maggie wrote in her journal for a bit before heading out for her daily beach walk with Chelsea.

It was a sunny morning, the kind that usually lifted her spirits, but something felt off. Maybe it was the fact that Chelsea hadn’t shown up for their usual coffee and scones session. Or perhaps it was the lingering concern in Chelsea’s eyes when they last spoke. Either way, Maggie decided she’d swing by Chelsea’s place after her walk just to check in.

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