Page 56 of The First Best Man

“I’m sure you are,” she says, and the sparkle in her eyes grows even brighter. “And now that Kate’s slippedout, you shouldn’t keep her waiting. Go on. Get out of here.”

My mouth falls open, denials burning the tip of my tongue, but what’s the point? Miss Ginny is obviously as sharp as a tack and knows everything that goes on inside the Errant Heart. I snap my jaw shut, and a melodic chuckle slips from her lips.

Shaking my head, I push myself to my feet. I start to go, then I pause and look back at her. But before I can speak, she mimes zipping her lips with a shake of her head.

“I saw nothing. I heard nothing. I know nothing,” she says, and I find myself smiling again.

“Thank you,” I murmur, giving her a single, meaningful nod.

“Go on,” she says, jerking her head toward the exit before shooting me a wink.

I laugh and shake my head as I round the table. Taking her hand, I brush my lips over her thin, translucent skin before releasing her and bowing as I back my way out.

Miss Ginny laughs, mumbling something that sounds like “charming bastard” as I disappear around the corner. When I step out onto the front porch, I inhale the warm, briny air and exhale audibly as I survey the area around the B&B.

When I first arrived on Bush Monkey Isle, I thought, at the very least, I’d be an uncomfortable outsider in such a small, tight-knit community. I assumed that by the time the wedding week ended, I’d be champing at the bit to get home, back to San Francisco. Where I belong.

But that feeling ended the second a certain beautiful brunette schooled me atJeopardy!and offered to share her coveted chili-cheese fries with me.

But it isn’t just Kate that charmed me. It’s the entire island, it’s inhabitants, and the small-town atmosphere of this place. With very few exceptions, the people have been welcoming and kind. They’ve created a wonderful, caring community, a place reminiscent of what you’d see in old black-and-white shows or in those low-budget, sappy romance movies you can watch ad nauseum on cable television.

It doesn’t feel real.

But itisreal, and I’m really going to miss this place when I go.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Kate

I beatTucker to the Grill, somehow, and head straight for an empty table in the back after waving at Jasper, who’s at his usual station behind the bar. Jasper sends Billy, one of my weekend-only waiters, over immediately, and I smile and ask for two beers and two menus.

I obviously don’t need a menu––I know it by heart––but I want Tucker to be able to order whatever he wants instead of sharing my food like we usually do. And just watching him while he peruses the menu would be awkward and uncomfortable, wouldn’t it?

Okay, so maybe I’m overthinking it, but I’m allowed to be a little psychotic right now.

It’s been a hell of a day.

Because in the last number of hours, I’ve experienced several things for the first time. Physicalandemotional.

But no, I can’t allow myself to think about the emotional part. Not even for a second. Because if I do, I’m going to start crying, and I may never stop.

I made a deal with Tuckerandwith myself. No strings. No hopes for any kind of future. We’re just having a little fun, and in a couple of days, it’ll be over. For good.

And if the thought of his leaving sends a little shock of pain lancing through my chest? Well, no one will ever know about that.

The door swings open and he walks in, a grin lighting up his features the second his eyes meet mine.Breathe, Kate.God, he’s so beautiful.

“Hey,” he says, sliding into the chair across from me and subtly nudging his toe against mine beneath the table.

“Hey,” I attempt, but it comes out like a croak, so I clear my clogged throat and try again. “Hi.”

His gaze searches out every corner of my face, and his lingering, soft smile warms me all over. I can tell he’s thinking about the things we’ve done together today, and that he’s eager for more of the same.

As am I.

I clear my throat again and stiffen my spine, asking, “How did it go with Miss Ginny? Did she suspect anything?”

His smile slips the tiniest bit, and he coughs into his fist before saying, “It was…fine. She––”

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