Page 34 of A Very Un-Shakespeare Romance
Having been a teacher, Summer had experienced her share of such antics. “I had one kindergarten boy who would fart every time he said thank you. His older brother, clearly a bad influence, told him it made his point stronger. I had to convince him otherwise. The girls in the class couldn’t steer clear of him enough.”
“I don’t blame them.” Sheila dumped the salt and extra limes in their beach bag with some plastic glasses as Lily made up her own concoction and closed the top of the shaker. “You should put on some of that berry lip gloss. Just because you can’t kiss Robbie O’Connor doesn’t mean you don’t want him checking out your lips along with the rest of you.”
She reached for her purse with an eye roll and smoothed the raspberry color over her lips. “You’re the one who’s going to have trouble keeping Billie’s mouth and hands away.”
She made a shooing motion. “I’ve got a plan. Plus, I have you to start yawning and falling asleep if needed so we can bounce. As your best friend, I can say you’ve had too many margaritas—being the lightweight you are—and that I have to take you home. Works every time.”
They had used that strategy with success before. “Good to know the playbook.”
Sheila opened the door, balancing the margaritas in the blender on her hip. “You look nice, by the way. If I were a guy, I’d have trouble keeping my eyes off you. I can’t pull off those beach dresses. My curves always stick out in them.”
“You’re being too hard on yourself as usual.” She grabbed a towel for the shaker and locked the door behind them. “You look great, and the expression on Billie’s face the moment he sees you will only confirm it.”
Sure enough, when they went next door, Billie was the first to reach them, taking the beach bag and the pitcher from Sheila with a delighted once-over glance at the short sleeveless red dress that hugged her body.
“You look totally scrumptious,” he said, leaning down and kissing Sheila’s cheek before turning to Lily. “Both of you. Make yourselves at home.”
Sheila wiggled her fingers at Lily to precede her inside. Good idea. That way she could be alone with Billie. Letting herself in after a soft knock, she welcomed the air conditioner on her bare skin. The humidity was suffocating outside even as the sun descended in the sky, its glow less intense.
She scanned the house, with its homey décor and inspirational signs on the walls, ones Lily couldn’t imagine impressed the O’Connor boys. Definitely a Tara pick, then. That was a good thing. If she’d secured the house, that meant she knew where Robbie was with the girls. Having confirmation on that point would be good news for them. Buck certainly would like some hard evidence that Tara might show up here. She did a quick perusal but didn’t spy a phone lying around. Damn.
Cassidy’s giggles erupted with Reagan’s laughter in another part of the house, making her smile as she walked into the kitchen. Robbie swung around from the back counter immediately, dropping the raw hamburger patty he’d been putting on a plate with a thunk. Every muscle was poised for action, and she winced.
“Billie let me in,” she said quietly. “Sorry I scared you.”
“Few people come up on me unawares,” was all he said.
Then he cleared his throat. His blue eyes narrowed with heat as he swept his gaze over her white, nearly transparent sleeveless dress. While it was full-length, it floated like clouds. Lily had loved it on sight on their shopping spree. She’d freeze to death most of the year in such a dress in Boston, but it was perfect for the moist heat of the Outer Banks. She’d thought Robbie would find it more captivating than a short sundress, and as he continued staring, she struggled with the feeling of being pleased he liked it. Like he might be speechless because of it.
Her heart rate was spiking, which was so not how she was supposed to be feeling undercover.
Another beat passed between them, attraction flaring, her heart knocking against her ribs. She saw him swallow thickly, and she fought the urge to shift on her feet. Usually she was not off-balance, but she was floundering here.
“I thought our company was here!” Tim said as he walked in, carrying Cassidy. Reagan jogged after him, still giggling. “Welcome to the nuthouse. Make yourself at home.”
She let out a shallow breath, telling herself to relax. “Thanks. We appreciate the invite.”
Tim bit his lip to keep from smiling as he set Cassidy down on the counter. “You two more than earned it.”
“That’s all…in the past.” Best not to poke at Robbie’s smarting male pride. “Hey, girls, I have a little surprise for you. Clarice might have brought margaritas for the adults, but I brought something special for you two.”
“You did?” Reagan asked, running over to her side.
“I wanna see too,” Cassidy said, starting to crawl across the kitchen island.
Robbie was next to her in a flash, catching her deftly. “None of that. We don’t want you falling off, do we?”
He kissed her wild, curly head, and she gave him a drooling smile before laying her cheek against his chest. Without the blazing sexual energy from earlier, she could take in what he was wearing. His navy T-shirt was nicely worn, making her think one of his brothers must have packed him a bag before they’d left. Shehadseen three duffel bags in the back of their Suburban parked out front. They’d already run the plates, and the vehicle belonged to a Garret Kilkenny, an eighty-year-old man who lived in Southie. No relation. They still didn’t know how the O’Connors knew Kilkenny or how they’d ended up with his vehicle, but they imagined it was likely related to Billie’s mechanic shop.
So far, the O’Connors had done things smart. For their sakes, and the kids’, she hoped that continued. As she looked down at Reagan’s delicate china-doll face, she thought of the danger they could be in with the Kellys. She knew it wasn’t below them to threaten a child to get what they wanted. Well, that sure as hell was not going to happen on her watch. She reached out and ran her hand down Reagan’s ponytail, secured by a silver glittery bow, and they shared a smile.
“I love your dress,” she said, touching the fabric. “You look like a princess.”
“Thank you.” She gestured to the little girl’s purple cotton dress that saidFuture Presidenton it in silver glitter. “I like a woman who has high aspirations.”
“Mom always says we can be anything we want,” she said shyly. “Even president of your own company. Like she is.” Then she cast a look at Robbie, as if wondering if she’d said too much.
“Your mom is a boss, and we all know it,” Robbie said, sending her an assuring smile. “Who else would come up with calling gas magic?”
