Page 32 of Beachside Kisses With My Best Friend

“Mare!” A familiar voice rises over the crowd, and my head swivels to locate its owner.

Lucy’s weaving her way toward me, her cousin April in tow, and I’ve never been happier to see them, because suddenly it feels like I’m in a wind tunnel and the blast of everyone’s attention is focused solely on me. The music seems to fade into oblivion, and I can even hear April’s dad Burt guffaw and say, “Still can’t believe them two finally got hitched after all these years!” Murmurs overrun the deck like ants on a dropped piece of cake.

Thankfully, when Lucy and April reach me and smother me with hugs, a whoosh sends people’s conversations rolling again. “We wondered if you were coming,” Lucy says, looking behind me. “Where’s your hubby?” Her eyebrows dance playfully. She looks less pale than she has for a while. Maybe the morning sickness has subsided. I’ve been so caught up with life this week that we have hardly talked since the completely unnecessary celebration she and the others threw us on Monday.

“Working. He’ll be here soon.”

“Oh good. Chloe has someone she wants him to meet.” She hooks her thumb over her shoulder, where Chloe, Freddy, and a good-looking guy in his thirties or forties stands in a blazer and jeans chatting with them, a dark-bottled drink in hand. “He’s a new business associate who owns a glamping site with these really amazing stargazing tents. Chloe’s planning a wedding up there this summer, but she thought maybe he and Jordan could hook up to offer some overnight experiences together.”

A member of the Robin’s staff comes by with a tray of waters, and I snag one with a smile. “That sounds right up his alley.” I take a sip, and the cool liquid washes away my earlier dread at being the center of attention. “When he gets here, I’ll be sure to let him know.” I turn to April. “Who’s watching Scarlett tonight?”

A single mom to the most precocious seven-year-old (who is sassy just like her mama), April just moved back to Hallmark Beach from San Francisco last summer. She lives with her parents and works at the Bluestocking Bookshop, and she doesn’t talk a lot about herself, but I know things have been tough for her. Still, I don’t think she regrets her decision to move back here, at the very least for Scar’s sake. It gives her more time to work on her novel writing too. I just know someday she’s going to be a best-selling author. Not that she’s let anyone read her stuff yet. But I can just tell, because she’s the determined sort.

“Mom’s arthritis was bugging her, and she claimed she’d rather stay home and have a movie night with her granddaughter than come out, but we all know she never passes up an opportunity to be among her friends.” April frowns as Michael Bublé’s version of “Quando, Quando, Quando” lilts through the night air. “I feel bad asking her for so much help.”

“Don’t be so hard on yourself. Your parents want to help.” I reach out and squeeze her hand.

“I know. It’s why I moved home. But I have to run up to San Francisco for a thing tomorrow and won’t be home until Monday evening. I’m worried Scar’s energy is going to be too much for them all.”

“Blake and I can take her tomorrow if you want,” Lucy says. “But I’m driving down to meet Mom and Kevin in L.A. on Sunday and won’t be home till Tuesday.”

“Really? Even just one day would give Mom a break. Thanks, cuz.” April’s eyes get a little misty.

“If you want to give them the whole weekend off, I’m not working Sunday.” I tilt my head. “I’m sure Ryder would love to have a playmate for the day. We can go do something fun. She can stay overnight, and I can grab her from school Monday until you’re back.”

“Seriously? You guys are the best. Thank you.”

“Being a single parent is hard work.” I shrug. “I know Jordan’s struggled a lot too.”

“Except he’s not a single dad anymore, now is he?” A wry grin overtakes the shadows on April’s face. “Maybe I need to find someone to conveniently marryme.”

“Shh.” Lucy hip bumps her cousin. “Someone is going to hear you.”

“Please.” Rolling her eyes, April gestures toward the crowd, where nobody seems to be paying us any mind. “Even if they did, they wouldn’t think anything about it. We all know Jordan’s been making eyes at Mare for years.”

“Ha ha.” I down the rest of my water and place the empty cup on a nearby table. Overhead, stars have popped through the gauzy fabric of the night. “Not you too, April.” That funny feeling wends its way through me again, chasing the question of “what if?”

Thewhat ifdoesn’t matter, though. Not when I know that Jordan deserves a lot better than someone like me. Donny used up everything good I had to give. That’s why I’m never getting married again.

Well, never getting marriedfor realagain.

It just wouldn’t be fair to the other person. I come with too much baggage, and I’d never want to pile that on someone else.

“Just gotta speak as I find.” April laughs. “You know my favorite Abigail Fox story is the one about a marriage of convenience between a hockey player and a single mom. And remember howthat oneturned out?”

My cheeks heat at the thought. That book had some excellent kisses…

“Troublemaker.” Lucy grins as she says the word, her eyes scanning the crowd. “Oh, hey, there’s Jordan.” She points toward the restaurant. “Uh oh.”

“What? What’s wrong?” I stand on my tiptoes, but the deck’s only gotten more crowded, and my view is filled with shoulders and necks and arms. I see Freddy tipping Chloe back on the dance floor and one of Elisse and Kelsey’s brothers flirting with Gemma Stone near the dessert table. I see both of Chloe’s female bodyguards dressed in black suits, scanning the crowd for threats.

But I don’t see Jordan.

I sure could use a few of Lucy’s extra inches right about now. “What’s wrong?” I repeat.

“Constance just pulled him away from talking to Landon and Blake. And she looks upset.”

“What?” Everything in me prickles. I feel like a cat with an arched back, my claws at the ready. “Where exactly?”

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