Page 60 of Romancing My Grumpy Goalie

“Sure you don’t want to try the fish?”

Kira shakes her head, her short, light brown waves flying. Her eyes are big and hopeful.

I sigh in resignation. “Fine. Grab it from the fridge and take it to him.” I brought extras just in case. I’ve been trying to convince her to expand her food choices, but apparently, it isn’t working as well as I’d like.

As she leaves, Grandma comes up next to me with a glass of white wine, leaning over the banister overlooking the beach.

“She said no to the fish again?”

I take a sip. “Yep.”

“She takes after her father,” Grandma says.

I’m a bit of a foodie myself, especially when it comes to seafood, and Twin Waves is known for fresh seafood markets and locally caught shrimp.

Kira is the most like her dad out of my four girls. The other three are girly girls like me.

Grandma turns and looks at the house. “I can never keep up with everything that needs to be done here.”

She’s in her late eighties, so it’s no wonder. A few boards hang loose on the deck railing, and we always have to watch where we step because there are a few rotted planks as well. And let’s not get started on the lack of hot water. I think her water heater is from the 1900s.

Anabelle and Lucas walk toward us, hand in hand.

“How’s the antique mall going?” I ask them, sipping my wine.

“It’s coming along,” Anabelle says. “Our traffic has increased tenfold since we moved to the new location. It came with a lot of vendors with their own booths, and that’s easy money. Lucas has been helping me with social media marketing, and the mall has more traffic than it has with the previous owners.”

“I’m so happy for you two.” I smile warmly. “Let me know if you ever want to brainstorm ideas for expansion.”

“Mom, Kira got a hotdog. Can I get one, too?” Nolan says, coming up to us. He’s twelve now and has grown since I met him six months ago. He and Kira are making friends.

Anabelle looks at me, and I nod. “Of course.” I laugh. “We should have planned on hotdogs for the kids to begin with.”

My daughter, Madeline, comes up to us. “I can make sure he gets a hotdog.” She’s twenty-one and helps out with the shop.

“Thanks, Mads.”

Lucas and Anabelle brought their friend Aubrey along. Apparently, she runs a wedding venue in Maple Creek and is thinking about expanding the beach house into another wedding location. She’s been in negotiations with Grandma all day about it.

Her boyfriend, Sean, came, too, but no one seems to like him because, according to Lucas, Sean is always micromanaging and gaslighting Aubrey. Lucas told me she’s been dating him for about a year. She got together with him officially right after he and Anabelle started dating.

Aubrey takes a seat in one of the rickety wooden chairs, and it collapses under her weight. She screams as she goes down, arms flailing, and Sean stays seated, laughing at her like she’s the nightly entertainment.

Jace jumps up from eating his fish and rushes to her side. “Are you okay?”

With a mortified expression, she accepts his help to stand, but her gaze collides with Jace’s and something tender passes between them.

Is it possible Jace has a thing for Aubrey? I’m getting this overprotective energy from him, like he’s worried about her.

Anabelle and Lucas are inseparable—the classic twitterpated lovers. Soft touches, longing glances, gentle kisses, and constant whispering. You would think they’d have calmed down from this stage by now, after dating a year, but they’re still going strong.

After dinner, my mom and I help Grandma bring out strawberry shortcake for dessert, with cans of whipped cream for the top.

Kira grabs a can and pours it onto her dessert. “Want some, Nolan?” She offers it to him, but instead of handing it off, she sprays it into his face, laughing hysterically.

“Hey!” Nolan shouts, grabbing the nearest available can. He sprays it back at her and covers her head and shoulders with whipped cream.

She squeals and retaliates with delight, not even bothering to wipe anything off.

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