Page 75 of Only for the Season
Iwhistle as I walk down the stairs in Eli’s house toward the kitchen for some coffee.
“Someone’s happy this morning,” Eli grumbles from where he’s laying with his head on the kitchen table.
“I nearly finished theSynqapp.”
His head whips up from the table. “You did?”
“He’s obviously been inspired,” Paisley says as she sweeps into the room with a sleeping Stephanie in her arms.
“Enough with your matchmaking.”
She grins. “But it’s obviously working.”
“There’s no future for me with Parker. As soon as the New Year arrives, I’m leaving Smuggler’s Hideaway.”
Acid builds in my stomach at those words but I ignore it. Relationships aren’t for me. Not even with the woman I’m falling for.
She scowls. “You don’t have to leave. Eli lives here and he’s your CFO forApparoo.”
“He doesn’t need to be in California to be the numbers man. I’m the CEO and head developer. I need to be there to run my team.”
She shrugs. “MoveApparooto the island.”
Not a bad idea. I could see Parker whenever I want. Watch Stephanie grow up. Hang out with my best friend. All while I’m far away from gold diggers.
I shake my head. It’s an impossible dream. “Move a multi-billion dollar company across the country? Sure. Why not? I’ll snap my fingers and make it happen.”
She rolls her eyes. “You’re Jeremy Holland. You can make anything happen.”
Eli growls. “No flirting with my best friend.”
Paisley’s brow wrinkles. “I wasn’t flirting.”
“It was flirting.”
I let them argue. I know where I can find better coffee anyway.
When I arrive atPirate’s Pastriesfifteen minutes later, the place is packed. I manage to push my way through the crowd to Parker.
“What is happening?” I ask after I kiss her on her cheek.
“It’s theMermaid Treasure Hunt,” she squeals.
My brow wrinkles. “I thought you weren’t participating.”
She beams up at me. “I won the gingerbread house contest. I used the prize money to pay for the moonshine.”
Damn. I wanted to pay for the moonshine. But she was adamant about not participating in the treasure hunt. My stubborn little princess is a pain in my ass sometimes.
“Parker!”
“Sorry. Cindy needs me.”
She starts to rush away but I shackle her wrist to stop her. “How can I help?”
“Are you sure?”
I growl. I don’t deign to answer her question. She’s my princess. Of course, I’m helping. “What can I do?”
