Page 41 of Beachside Kisses With My Best Friend

“Will do.” She clicks around before shooting me a sly look. “Will Marilee be going with you? You two didn’t take a honeymoon, right? This would be the perfect opportunity to get away for a romantic weekend.”

I groan internally. Like I need a romantic setting between us right now—because yeah, despite our talk yesterday, I can’t get the kiss out of my brain. “I’m not sure she’ll be available.”

“All right.” Mandy’s eyebrows lift but she doesn’t say anything more about it. “Just leave this with me. I’ll get it all arranged with Mr. McGraff.”

“Thanks. I’m off for my meeting with the attorney but will be back in once it’s done.”

“Good luck.” She gives me a wave, and I’m out the door, driving the short distance to The Blackberry Muffin, where Marilee has been working since four a.m. She’s got to be exhausted after taking care of Ryder and Scarlett all day yesterday, but at least she was completely out cold last night when I slunk into the bedroom, so I know she got some good sleep.

I pull up beside the building with the blue-and-white-striped awning, a brown bench in front of the large picture window through which I can see yellow tables sprinkled with customers. Marilee is behind the pastry counter chatting with Marla, a grandmotherly-type with round cheeks and a graying bun. She looks like Mrs. Claus minus the red dress.

They appear to be deep in discussion, so I lean back against the passenger side of my truck as I wait for Lee to join me. As if sensing me, she glances up and waves, holding up a pointer finger. I flash her a thumbs up before crossing my arms over my chest.

Hallmark Beach at the end of January isn’t overly crowded with tourists, but the locals are out and about like usual—strolling along Main Street with Styrofoam containers from The Green Robin, walking their dogs and letting them stop to sniff the base of the wrought-iron black lampposts, and sitting on benches enjoying the sun that’s burned away the clouds from this morning.

Just another day in this paradise we call home.

The front door of Al’s Grocery pops open, and a young woman steps through holding two large paper bags. I can’t see her face, but she’s about to trip over a flower display, so I hop over to help. “Watch out.” I steady the bags from my side and ease one out of the woman’s arms.

Big, brown eyes greet from the other side. I smile at Amy Montrose. “Need some help?”

“Oh. Hi, Jordan.” Her cheeks grow red. “Um, thank you. Tommy ran out of almond milk and a few other supplies and asked me to refresh our stock before the lunch rush.” She nudges her chin toward The White Mocha. “Would you mind helping me get these into the kitchen?”

I glance back at the front door of the bakery, but Marilee’s still not out here. “Sure.” I follow Amy around the back and stop abruptly in front of the door while she fetches her key from the pocket of her jeans. I catch a whiff of lavender off her hair, which is just under my nose.

She glances up at me as she swings the door open, the brown paper bag on one hip. “Sorry to inconvenience you. Waiting for Marilee?” Something in her tone sounds wistful.

“Yeah.”

“Hmm.” Amy leads me through a hallway and into a bright kitchen with white cabinets and a gleaming marble-topped island spread with a few dirty mugs and baking supplies. She clears a spot and sets her bag down. “Thank you for your help.”

I plop mine beside hers. “No problem. Glad to help.” Turning to leave, I blink at Amy when she follows me.

“Sorry, I left one more bag at the register with Alberta.”

“I could have carried it.”

She bites her lip. “Yeah, I was flustered, I guess. At the heavy load, I mean. Didn’t think about it.”

We both exit and take the walkway in between the bakery and coffee shop. As she walks beside me, Amy tugs on the end of her braid. “I haven’t seen you to offer my congratulations, but um, well…congrats. On your marriage.”

“Oh. Thanks.”

We stop near the front of Al’s. She turns to me, squinting upward. “I always kind of wondered if the two of you were more than friends.” And is it just me, or does she emit a tiny sigh? “But I’m so glad for you, that you found each other.”

“Thanks, Amy.” I reach out and squeeze her elbow.

Her face brightens, then reddens again as she takes a step backward. “I’d better go get that other bag, or Alberta’s going to give it away to charity. I’ll see you around, Jordan.” Then she ducks back into the store and disappears.

When I swivel back to my truck, Marilee’s standing there, watching me. No smile, no real reaction. The woman just looks exhausted, like I knew she probably would be.

I approach and can’t help but reach out my thumb, swiping underneath her glasses, where tinges of dark rim her eyes. “You look tired.”

She seems to snap back from whatever world she’d retreated to in her mind. “Thanks, Jay. Just what every girl wants to hear.” Again, no smile.

Oops. “I didn’t mean?—”

“I know.” She waves it off as she pulls open the door and climbs inside.

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