Page 10 of Moonstruck Kiss

I smile benignly. “That’s sweet of you. But I’m afraid I’m not a postcard-sending kind of guy.”

“We have other souvenirs, too?—“

Mum starts waving again. “Oh, hey, Joey!”

My heart jumps at the name.

What’s she doing here? She wasn’t invited, was she?

I bet she’s wearing her favourite clothing: Overalls.

I twist my head to look and gloat a little inside. Yes, she’s wearing cream-coloured shorts overalls that show off those shapely legs of hers.

Our eyes meet and, I swear, the air between us sizzles. I’m not sure if she feels it, though, because her one-dimpled smile—which I have to admit I find utterly cute—disappears.

Just as I thought. Dimple hasn’t forgiven me. Wow, can this woman hold a grudge or what? It’s been a year!

“Good morning!” she says brightly to everyone at the table—except me. “Anna’s not at reception and I didn’t want to leave this there in case people think it’s something complimentary from the lodge.”

Dad stands and takes the delectable-looking arrangement of chocolate-covered fruits. “Anna’s busy helping to prepare the honeymoon cabin. But thank you for delivering this early, Joey. We weren’t expecting it till later.” He calls a server over and instructs him to take the basket to Anna.

“Would you like to join us?” Mum asks.

My head whips towards my mother. It takes me a second to realise I’m frowning at her.

“No, thank you, Elsa,” Joey answers. “Slick looks like he’s gonna have a tummy ache if I do.”

I redirect my frown onto Dimple.

“Slick?” asks Candy.

Joey throws her chin at me. “City Slicker.” Her left brow arches ever so slightly as she looks down at my shoes.

Unbidden, I shuffle my feet back under my seat to keep them away from her prying gaze. Why on earth did I wear my brand-spanking-new white leather loafers today? And what does it matter what Dimple thinks? I’m a man who happens to like white-coloured casual footwear. Nothing wrong with that. And it’s her fault that I stepped on cow dung last year when walking through a field. Long story.

“Hello, Joey,” I say dryly. “You’re such an expert at covering your thrill at seeing me again with your mask of underwhelm.”

She smirks. “I see your head is still stuck up your…”—She glances at Ollie—“the clouds.”

“Come on, you two. I can’t believe you still haven’t let bygones be bygones.” Dad drags another chair towards our table. “I know you’re busy, Joey, but have a quick coffee with us and meet Ollie.”

Dimple’s expression turns to one of sweetness as she smiles at my son, and I’m reminded of the first time I met her two years ago at Mum’s fifty-fifth birthday party. It was also the very first time I met other Mooners apart from those who worked in the lodge because I’d never ventured out in my previous short visits.

Well, I couldn’t keep my eyes off Dimple then, could I? Seriously, I was bowled over by my attraction for her. We spent a long time chatting and laughing, ignoring everyone else at the party. Unfortunately, I had to return to Manhattan the next day.

No wonder I was excited to return to Moonstruck Cove for my fourth visit. That was last year. And my infatuation bubble burst when I discovered just how meddlesome these locals were, with Joey being one of the biggest.

“Hello, Ollie,” she says as she sits on the chair my dad placed next to my son. “I’m Joey.”

Ollie gives her his right hand while he uses his left to pop a strawberry in his mouth. “Nn to mmt u. Hhr u?” he says.

I grin. My kid is so cute.

Dad whispers in my ear. “Tell him not to talk with his mouth full.”

Oh, right. I forgot my fatherly duties for a second there. Sometimes, I still hate being the disciplinarian.

“Ollie,” I say in a warning tone. “Please don’t talk with your mouth full.”

---