Page 46 of Just Beachy

Now that she’s got us pumped, Myra doles out assignments to each of us. Two minutes later we head out to spread the word and as many bookmarks with discounts as we can.

• • •

When we finallystraggle back to the store, Myra opens two bottles of wine and starts filling glasses. Parched from talking up the grand opening and convincing neighboring businesses to put the bookmark discounts in their customers’ hands, we toast the store and ourselves and everything we can think of.

“How’d it go, over all?” Myra asks as we drain our glasses.

“No one turned down the bookmarks,” I say.

“Yeah, I think the locals are almost as excited as we are to have a bookstore here on Pass-a-Grille,” Grand adds.

“Now we just have to plan the grand opening,” Myra muses. “What kind of entertainment should we have?”

“Hmm…maybe a clown or a magician for the kids? Or a clown who is a magician. Or vice versa,” Grand suggests.

“And William Hightower playing live? I keep pinching myself,” Myra says. “The word’s out and I know he’s going to draw a huge crowd.”

“And do you think A.J. might be willing to serve as bartender?”

“Absolutely.” I laugh. “I think he’d love to participate. And I know from personal experience that he’s unlikely to say no to Cassie Everheart.”

There’s agreement and laughter.

“And maybe one of the local restaurants will give us a good price on appetizers?” I suggest.

“Posh,” Grand says. “I’ll make the appetizers. And some desserts, too.”

“That would be great. And you’ll have Sydney to help you.” Myra beams.

I nod and smile though Grand and I are both well aware that cooking isnotmy superpower. Or one I aspire to.

“I could ask Kyra to help me photograph people in front of the vignettes and post them to social media,” I offer, relieved to have a task that does not require culinary skill. “And if Luke’s not on duty, I bet he’d be willing to come provide security. Just in case the clown or any of the children get too rowdy.”

At the mention of rowdy kids, I suddenly picture Luke surrounded by them. Kids that look like both of us. Which is completely ridiculous because although children are something I vaguely imagined might be part of my future if I ever met the right man who had parent potential, I’ve never once wondered this about any of the guys I’ve had relationships with. Including Jake, who’s already “in a relationship” with my replacement onMurder 101.

I don’t even know whether Luke wants to be a dad oneday. Or whether he sees me, let alone children with me, as part of his future.

Then I blush at the odd yearning I feel at the idea of having Luke’s children. It’s one I’ve never felt before. And I’m pretty sure I shouldn’t be feeling it now.

• • •

It’s Saturday afternoon,barely 3:00 p.m., and Sandcastle Books is already bulging with people. A long line zigzags across the porch and down the front steps as guests wait to have their photos taken in front of the vignette.

Kyra takes the individual photos while Troy shoots video of the event, which they’ll ultimately edit together. My job is to welcome each guest and help them tag and post with the hashtags #Sandcastlebooksgrandopening and #justbeachy!

A.J.’s in the kitchen pouring wine and mixing drinks for the adults while Grand passes out juice boxes to the kids, whom she sends out to the enclosed porch. There the adults ooh and ahh over Grand’s murals while the kids drop onto beanbag chairs and kid-size rockers to watch wide-eyed as the clown blows up balloons, twists them into animals, then puts on a comedy sketch with them. Troy is there catching it all on video, which he immediately shares with all the right hashtags.

Nikki and Joe Giraldi arrive with their twin girls, Sofia and Gemma. Maddie’s ex-husband, Steve, is right behind them with Kyra’s son, Dustin. Maddie greets her grandson with a kiss on the head. As we adults hug one anotherhello, Sofia, Gemma, and Dustin make a beeline for the clown. Whom I hope will survive their enthusiasm.

“I heard you’ve been home for almost ten days, Joe. Are you resting up and taking it easy?” I ask.

“Ha! I’m exhausted. Luvvie’s left for a vacation and Nikki’s got a lot going on with the new store.”

“And?” I prompt.

“And I love my children dearly, but parachuting in to almost any hotspot on the globe would feel slightly less scary than being a full-time stay-at-home dad right now.”

“Men!” Nikki snorts. “It’s only been, like, two weeks. And they callusthe ‘weaker sex.’ ”

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