Page 25 of Race to the Beach

"You're lucky to have such a special aunt.Not everyone does."

This time she gave him a curious look."You don't have someone like that in your life?"

He let out a laugh.“It’s quite the opposite.My life is crowded with family.I have a few aunts of my own, including my aunt Carol."

"The one who recently got married?"

He nodded."Yes, that's the wedding where we first met."

"I remember."A bit of color crept into her cheeks.

Just then they reached the cafe.Before he could reach for the door handle, the door flew open, and a group of boisterous people exited.He held the door, allowing Maxine to enter first.

When they entered the building, he glanced into the dining room.It was packed, and people were waiting for a table.He knew the Lighthouse Cafe was a popular destination, but it wasn't usually this busy.

He glanced at Maxine."Do you want to wait?"

"Do you think it'll be long?"

"Let me find out."As he made his way farther into the restaurant, he found that Maxine was right behind him.

He wondered what she thought of The Lighthouse Cafe with its beachy blue walls decorated with ocean murals.To him, the place had a quaint feel to it.Of course, it had looked this way his whole life.The owner wasn’t much into redecorating.

He continued toward the back of the restaurant, all the while glancing around for a vacant table.They were all filled.Maybe there were a couple of available stools at the long Formica counter lining the back of the café.

His gaze skimmed along the counter, which held a selection of pies that were displayed individually under glass domes.There was apple, cherry, coconut cream, banana cream, and a berry pie.He had to admit they all looked delicious.But to his disappointment, there were no spaces available at the counter either.

He paused and glanced around for one of the wait staff.They were all busy.As his gaze took in the room, he noticed his sister, Josie, waving at him.

He inwardly groaned.When he pretended he hadn’t seen her, Josie stood up."Owen, over here."

Maxine lightly elbowed him."I think that lady over there is trying to get your attention."

"That lady is my sister."He knew he wasn't going to get out of this uncomfortable situation without speaking to his sister; his only choice was to see what his sister wanted.He braced himself for his sister’s probing questions about him being here with Maxine.

He looked at Maxine."You don't have to go over."

"Why?"Her gaze searched his."Are you embarrassed about being seen with me?"

"What?"He couldn't believe she'd think that."Of course not."When she still looked at him with disbelief in her eyes, he said, "If I was embarrassed, do you think I'd bring you to the most popular restaurant on the island?"

She opened her mouth to rebut his statement, but in the next heartbeat, she wordlessly closed her mouth.

He sent her a reassuring smile."Shall we go before my sister comes over here?"

When she nodded, he gestured for Maxine to take the lead.He was trying to act like a gentleman, just as his mother had taught him as a kid.

When they reached the table, he said to his sister, "Hey, Josie."

"Aren't you going to introduce us to your friend?"His sister's eyes gleamed with mischief.

He inwardly groaned.That was the very last thing he wanted to do because this past Christmas, his sister had revealed herself to be Bluestar's latest matchmaker.He'd been trying to stay off her radar…until now.He felt as though he'd just stepped into her spider's web, and now he was trapped.

Chapter Eleven

Thiswasamistake.

Owen regretted bringing Maxine to The Lighthouse Café.All it was going to do was get tongues wagging.Of course, Maxine’s aunt was already convinced this was a date, and he was sure she was already spreading it around town.

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