Page 96 of Sunsets at the Beach House

Jesse snickered. “Settle down. You’re the only woman I’m interested in. But that pie…I really can’t stop thinking about it.”

“I don’t know what to do with that information.”

Still grinning, he shook his head. “I’m not explaining myself very well. I’m thinking I’d like to talk to her about making them for the club. Or me buying them from her through the bakery. However she wants to work it.”

“Yeah?”

He nodded. “The key lime we have is all right, but that sour orange is so different, and yet, if you like key lime, you’d like that, too. I feel like it could be the signature dessert we’ve been looking for.”

“I didn’t know you were in need of a signature dessert.”

“I didn’t, either, but Leroy says we do. He’s been after me for a while about it. And while I know they’re going to sell them at the bakery, do you think she’d give me an exclusive on the pie as far as restaurant sales go? Maybe?”

“I have no idea. I’d have to ask her. How many pies do you think you’d need?”

“Leroy could answer that more definitively, but based on our last key lime order, I’d say probably three…maybe four?”

“A week?”

“A day. We sell a good number of desserts.”

“I had no idea. So twenty-one pies a week minimum. That’s a lot of pie. I’ll talk to her.”

“Thanks.” He unlocked his office door.

Toby wagged his tail and stretched as they came in.

“Lazybones,” Jules said. “Have you missed Mama?”

He got up and gave her a little woof.

“I missed you, too.” She crouched down to give him a cuddle. “Let’s get your leash on, Tobs. Time to go home.”

“I’ll take him and walk you both out,” Jesse said.

“Thanks.”

He clipped Toby’s leash on, then grabbed the bag she’d brought the slices of pie in. As soon as they got outside, Toby found a patch of grass to christen. Jesse just stood by. “I figured he’d have to pee.”

“He likes to pee on anything he hasn’t already peed on.”

Jesse snorted. “Shiloh’s the same way. That reminds me—you’re welcome to bring him with you again tomorrow, but if you think he’d have more fun at my place with Shiloh, you could always drop him off there. He could spend the day with Shiloh and my dog walker could take them both out.”

“That’s very kind of you. I think there will be enough people home tomorrow to look after him. Aren’t you worried that he and Shiloh might destroy your beautiful home with their nonsense? You know how crazy they get.” When they were on the beach they acted like twin Tasmanian Devils straight out of the cartoons, chasing each other and rolling around until they looked like cinnamon-covered doggy doughnuts.

He nodded. “True, but if Shiloh didn’t destroy it as a puppy, I don’t think the two of them together could do much worse. Anyway, if the situation ever comes up, you’re welcome to bring him over.”

“Thanks.” Toby danced at her feet, ready to get in the car.

“Anything for my favorite girl.”

Jules smiled as she put her purse on the front passenger seat of her Jeep. “You’re awfully sweet to me.”

“Am I?” He pushed a strand of hair off her face. “Just seems to come naturally when I’m around you. I’m crazy about you, in case you didn’t know.”

“I’m crazy about you, too.”

He leaned in and gave her a kiss, but a moment later, the kiss ended as they both started laughing. Toby had wound himself around their ankles, meaning the leash was now circling them like a restraint.

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