Page 14 of Stuck With the Billionaire Grump

There’s no spark. In all honesty, there wasn’t much of a spark when I was a teenager, either. The kiss we shared was just a silly, one-time thing. One of those major stepping stones you just want to get over with and then move on. At least, that’s how I saw it.

“I’ll let you carry on with your day,” Eric continues. “See you around, Lucy. Oh, and by the way, I promise I don’t have mono this time.”

I force a laugh, wondering why he would feel the need to make a joke like that. Is he thinking about kissing me again? Seriously? We barely know each other. It’s been twelve years!

“See you later, Eric,” I reply, choosing to ignore the comment entirely.

He starts walking backwards away from me, waving cheerfully as I push open the gate and walk up the gravel path to the Lees’ front porch.

Am I happy to see Eric again? I don’t know. Truthfully, I feel pretty neutral about it. I’m glad that Elijah has reconnected with one of his estranged family members, and it’s nice that Eric will get to experience the wedding. But other than that, it’s not like I’m excited and thrilled and over-the-moon about his return to Mermaid Shores. Weirdly, I feel almost nothing at all.

But Theo, on the other hand…

I feel my lips curve into an automatic frown at the thought of him. I definitely feel something abouthisreturn to town, and it’s not positive.

I wonder if I could convince Sam Dechaine to banish him. She’s the mayor, after all. Surely, she has the power to do that. Except, banishment is probably no longer a thing. Pity.

Whatever Theo is doing here, I know for a fact that it can’t be for the wedding. I would know if he knew Elijah.

So, at least I’m safe from running into him again at any of the upcoming wedding events. It’s a small mercy.

Before I can worry much longer about what could have possibly brought Theo Danvers, of all people, all the way to Mermaid Shores, a familiar head of bright red hair pokes out past the front door of the quaint blue house before me.

“Hey, Lucy!” chirps Mabel Lee—Gigi’s daughter and the assistant manager at the Siren & Sword, where she’d been a waitress for over a decade. Mabel was a few years above me and Josie at school, but we always liked her. Everyone always likes Mabel.

“Hi, Mabel. How’s it going?”

“Oh, you know… off to the restaurant. Same old, same old. I’m looking forward to the wedding this weekend, though. It’s been ages since I’ve set foot near Blakeley Manor. That’s usually rich tourist territory.”

I laugh, climbing the steps as Mabel comes out onto the porch with her trademark smile. She’s insanely pretty and a notorious flirt, but she’s also been single for as long as I can remember. Just like me, I guess, except I’m nowhere near as gorgeous as Mabel and also not great at flirting.

“Tell me about it,” I reply with a grin. “But Josie’s been dreaming of having her wedding there forever, so Elijah was determined to make it happen.”

Mabel chuckles. “I swear they could make Josieandelijah’s love story into a movie. Maybe we should pitch it to one of the Hollywood folks hanging around here this summer.”

“Now, that’s an idea.”

A voice, slightly brisker than Mabel’s, calls from inside the house, “Is that Lucy? Come on in, hon! Mabel, stop gossiping!”

Mabel snorts and shakes her head, stepping aside for me to reach the front door. Her keys jingle in her hand and I can see the royal blue apron from the Siren & Sword poking out of her bag. I swear she never takes a day off.

“Are you bringing a date?” Mabel suddenly asks.

“What?”

“To the wedding?”

“Oh… no. No, I’ll be too busy doing maid-of-honor stuff. Montgomery Events stuff, too, I guess. Do you have a date?”

Mabel laughs heartily. “No way. You know me. This little birdie flies solo.”

I assume it’d be rude to ask why, so I just respond with what I hope is a knowing chuckle. Mabel salutes me, then marches down the porch steps. I duck inside the house.

Gigi, all curves and warmth and wild red hair, bustles into the entryway the second the door clicks shut behind me.

“Good, you’re here!” she sings, practically dragging me into the kitchen. “I need you to try this bruschetta. It’s a new recipe, and I’d like your approval before I finalize it for the reception. Oh, and there’s a steak marinade that I’m not quite sure about for those adorable little frites we agreed on. Plus, I know we’ve got the wedding cake and all that, but I thought it might be nice to offer a vegan gelato alternative, if you approve. It’s blueberry. You’ll love it. I hope you’re hungry…”

I allow myself to be swept into the chaos that is Gigi Lee’s kitchen, my stomach grumbling at the delicious aromas floating around the house. Josie would approve of everything without a second thought, but I’m delighted that Gigi understands the importance of the tiniest details.

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