Page 3 of To Have and to Scold

The shorter one claps his friend on the shoulder. “I better go, Billy. Portia wants to talk about wedding venues.” He nods to me. “I got engaged recently.”

I recognize the grin and the light in his eyes. I see it a lot as a wedding planner. He is a goner.

“Congratulations!” I say, already sizing him up for what type of tux or suit he might choose to wear.

It’s force of habit. Not that I’m going to be saying anything about my profession right now. All too often, when people discover what I do for a living, they launch into a discussion about their own proposal or wedding. Sometimes they even ask me to plan theirs. And right now? I’m feeling jaded—completely unable to talk about weddings. Besides, I just ran into Holden and McKenna. I cannot listen to any mushy love stuff tonight.

“Thanks. Glad you’re alright.” The shorter one offers a twitch of a grin and steps off the boardwalk and to his truck.

If I can just get to my car, I can drive to my moving boxes-filled four-plex rental and change out of my “Let’s impress my new town” clothes and into some baggy sweats. Which is exactly what I need to be able to reset myself for my new job on Monday.

Plus, I’m envisioning something cold and creamy in my future. Like ice cream to gently coat my stomach.

However, the attractive man to my left isn’t going to make this easy.

“I don’t think I’ve seen you around. You on vacation?”

I toss a glance at him and his warm, golden-brown eyes. “What? The locals don’t make a habit of blood-curdling screams at Witty’s?”

A broad smile. “Not usually.”

“So, Billy, is it?”

He opens his mouth to say something, but I’m feeling brazen, so I charge ahead. “Why don’t you tell me, in ten words or less, what’s so great about Willow Cove?” I ask.

His brows go in the air. “Impossible.”

“Why is that?”

“There are too many to narrow it down.”

I slow my steps. “Brevity’s an important skill sometimes. Come on. Give it a try.”

He thinks a moment and then points across the street to Kingston’s Bakery. “We have the best baked goods in the state.”

“That’s only nine words.”

He counts silently on his fingers. “We have the best baked goods in the state, ma’am.” he amends.

I gaze out over the cars in the parking lot next to the beach, the ocean waves furling and unfurling in perfect cadence. “Funny how you mention the bakery when there’s this massive,incredible ocean right here. There you go, being a local who takes the ocean for granted.”

“I don’t take it for granted. Maybe some things are too personal to tell a stranger.” He follows my gaze to the water. “You a big fan of the ocean?”

I shrug. “It’s not without its charm.”

He takes a step off the boardwalk to the parking area, his handsome smile lighting up his face as he turns back to me. “I’ll show you charming.”

I open my mouth to protest because I’ve nearly reached my car and the pull of a very stretchy waistband, some sappy rom-com flick, and the mint chocolate chip ice cream in my freezer is too much to deny.

But he’s attractive. Very handsome. And I already had made up my mind that I was going to play nice here in Willow Cove so I can get back to my perfect five-year plan. I have to turn over a new leaf, so I can’t afford to be seen as a snob. He glances back at me, waiting for my reply.

“This better be good,” I say good-naturedly.

And in sonotDallas Olivia Cardon fashion, I even drop a flirtatious wink and rush to catch up to Billy, the intriguing local guy who’s making his way to the beach.

Chapter Two

Beck

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