Page 53 of Tempting the Heart

“He said you both agreed you couldn’t move forward.”

“True. He has no intention of staying here, and I have no intention of moving.” I smiled as a customer came in. “Excuse me. I need to go help one of my regulars.”

The moment I stood behind the counter, I could feel that my siblings were all gossiping about the kiss. It was bound to happen, so might as well let them vent now.

“Hey, Mae. How is my favorite barista?” Shirley was the biggest supporter of my little endeavor, which was awesome since she also ran the town paper and plugged my coffee shop as often as she could. She also happened to be a really good gossiper, which made me a little nervous with Tyler being back in town.

“I’m doing good,” I said, reaching for a large paper cup. “Your usual? Mocha with salted caramel on top?”

“You know it. I need my dessert before dinner.” She leaned forward, and my heart stopped. She was going to mention Tyler.

“Is it true that your parents are handing over the store?” Relief spread through me as I grinned at her.

“Boy, does word travel fast. It sure is. In fact, they’re also headed to Europe for the summer.”

“Oh, fun.”

“It should be. I’m watching Dottie,” I informed her as I pulled her espresso shots.

She wandered along the counter and tapped the granite as I finished her drink.

“Is it true that Tyler is back in town?” Her eyes fastened on mine, and I knew she already knew the answer. I also wondered if she knew I’d had a crush on him back in the day.

“He is. I guess he’s helping his parents out and leaving in a day or so.”

She shuddered as she reached for the drink. “They’re wretched. You know I was in Tyler’s graduating class, right?”

I chuckled. “Actually, no. I never really thought about it.”

“Well, I was, and it was so sad…”

I cocked my head. “What was so sad?”

“They never came to anything that Paul or Tyler had been involved in. It wasn’t like they were out of town or busy. His parents just chose not to come.”

“That’s heartbreaking.” I shook my head.

“I just don’t know how parents could do that on purpose. There’s only so many monumental moments.”

My stomach clenched, and I nodded. “I just don’t know how I was so naïve. My brother was his best friend, and I didn’t even know this stuff was going on.”

“Why would you? You weren’t in the same grade or anything.” She shrugged. “Did you hear, though?”

“What?”

I was almost afraid to find out.

“Bethany has the hots for Tyler.”

My brows shot up. “Bethany? As in his dad’s physical therapist?”

“Yup. I heard her devising some plan to make Tyler stay a little longer on the island.”

“So then why did you ask me if Tyler was really on the island when you knew he was here?” I chuckled, shaking my head. “Never mind. I’m sure it’s only in the name of journalism.”

“Anyway, I thought that was interesting. Can you imagine that she’d want to date him after meeting his dad? That whole lot would scare me away.” She shivered. “Actually, they already did.”

I shook my head, trying to focus on Shirley, but all I could think about was Bethany setting her sights on Tyler.

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