Page 242 of Heart’s Cove Hunks

Candice’s new house is incredible. The fourteen-acre property has over a mile of coastline, and the architects did an amazing job with the design. It’s a single-story building with so much glass, it almost disappears into the surrounding forest. Large, leafy trees line the winding drive before opening up to reveal the house. I have no idea how the landscapers got such large trees planted, but I suppose I don’t have movie-star funds to make that kind of magic happen.

The house itself is just as beautiful. My mouth hangs open as I’m ushered inside and welcomed like an old friend.

“It’s smaller than I expected from a movie star,” Simone says before popping a corn chip in her mouth. She crunches down, then walks out onto the patio that extends so far it feels like it floats above the ocean below. The drop to the water is steep, with a narrow strip of sand to catch the lapping waves.

“I had no idea you thought so little of me,” Blake responds, the grin apparent in his voice. “You don’t think movie stars can do subtle?”

Simone just gives him a look. Before she can sass him, Wes drops his arm on Simone’s shoulders and whispers something in her ear. Judging by Simone’s blush, it’s probably best that the rest of us can’t hear.

I tear my eyes away from them. Last time a man whispered something in my ear like that, I was so wrapped up in loving him that I forgot about myself. Now I keep my distance. Mostly.

“It’s gorgeous, Blake,” I say, letting my eyes drift over the deep cherry hardwood, the tasteful navy furnishings, the elegant finishes. It’s luxurious, but not ostentatious. The place feels like it’s always existed on the property.

“The yoga studio should be done in two weeks,” Candice cuts in smoothly, handing me a glass of wine. She pours another and gives it to Fiona, who has joined us on the patio. “I’m going to do an inaugural class with just us girls.”

The way she says it makes me think I’m included in the “just us girls,” which sends something warm gliding through my chest.

It’s only been a couple of months since I showed up in this town, and already it feels more like home than Reno did. As soon as the thought pops into my head, I hear the familiar sound of my phone’s ringtone. “Sorry,” I mumble, then shuffle back to the couch to hunt through my purse. I should have put it on silent before I got here.

When I see my boss’s name on the screen, my shoulders tighten.

“Everything okay, Nora?” Margaret asks, dressed in an elegant cream pantsuit with a cowl-neck silk camisole underneath. She’s arranging hors d’oeuvres on the tables dotted around the living room, but her eyes are on me. “You look a bit ill.”

“Boss,” I explain, waving my phone as I ignore the call.

“Is he expecting you back in Reno again?” Fiona asks from the balcony. “You just got back a couple of days ago.”

“Terrible bosses will not be spoken of in this house!” a voice says from the entryway, and Trina appears, trailed by her two kids. “I’m making that a rule.”

Candice laughs. “I can get behind that.” She greets her sister with a hug, and the two of them restart the partial tour of the house that I’ve already gotten. I hear Candice tell her sister about the kitchen with large gas range, the home office, the gorgeous view from the spare bedroom. After greeting the kids, I give Mac a smile, then freeze in shock when he puts his arms around me in a hug.

“Good to see you, Nora,” he says, as if we’re best friends. Then he moves to Simone and Fiona and gives them the same treatment before shaking hands with Wes and Grant.

Yep. I’m one of “us girls.” When did that happen?

My eyes drift to the door again, and I almost open my mouth to ask Mac whether his brother is coming or not. Just in time, I realize I haven’t officially met Lee, and it would be monumentally weird for me to ask about him. Instead, I busy myself helping Margaret and Dorothy put out food and offer drinks to people.

“I’m supposed to be the host here,” Candice chides, then laughs as she tosses a cherry tomato in her mouth.

“Oh, hush,” Dorothy responds before topping up her wine. “Let us help.”

A crash sounds from the kitchen, and everyone stops talking. After a pause, Jen’s voice floats through the room. “We’re okay! But, uh…Candice, you might need to replace a few plates.”

“What happened?” Candice calls back as she moves toward the kitchen. It’s around a corner. The house isn’t quite open plan. The kitchen is attached to a casual dining room, but the balcony opens onto this bigger formal living room which is clearly designed for entertaining. That’s where we are, all heads turned in the direction of the kitchen.

“Um,” Jen answers, a bit more quietly, “Fallon was…clumsy.”

I look up and meet Simone’s eyes, who has a grin playing over her lips. “Clumsy, huh,” she says quietly. “Maybe they need a chaperone in there.”

“Eww,” I answer. I may be a grown woman, but I don’t need to think about my big brother doing things a chaperone wouldn’t approve of.

Fiona just laughs at my reaction. The doorbell rings and Margaret says she’ll get it, so Fiona glances toward the entrance. “I wonder when Lily will get here.”

“Maybe she’s coming over with Rudy. He was at her place last weekend when I stopped in, so I assume they’ve been spending weekends together,” I answer, inspecting the fancy-looking hors d’oeuvres on the plate in front of me.

Another, more curious silence settles over the women in the room, and all eyes turn to me. Even Candice reappears from the kitchen and looks at me with keen interest in her gaze.

“My sister was with Rudy last weekend?” She tilts her head at me. “They were at Lily’s place?”

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