Page 34 of Secrets, Scandals and Baby Shoes

Lucy winced. “I did do that, didn’t I? But you were just as rude to me.”

“I was.” Elliot gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “Sorry.”

“Me, too. Now, let’s continue with the game.”

“All right. How about… eels?”

“Oh, two. They’re the snakes of the sea. No, thank you.” Lucy gave a dramatic shiver.

Elliot chuckled. “Fair enough. I’d say they’re a seven, though, because they’re actually quite interesting. Some of them have an amazing sense of navigation. How about actual snakes?”

“One.” Lucy shuddered visibly. “They’re worse than doing taxes.”

“I see your feelings on slithering things haven’t changed.”

“Nope. Have yours?”

“No. I’d still rate snakes at a solid three out of ten. No changes there.”

“How about your thoughts on animated movies?” Lucy asked.

“Still two out of ten. Although I did make up my mind to watch your favorite animated movie in college, and I haven’t gotten the chance yet.”

“Maybe we can watch it on the flight!” Lucy suggested excitedly. She gave a little jump of excitement, sending seawater splashing up their legs.

“This look on your face?” Elliot said. “Ten out of ten. It’s definitely worth seeing an animated movie if you look that happy about it.” And he leaned forward and gave her a kiss, one arm around her waist, as the waves swished around their ankles.

They spent another half an hour at the beach, watching the waves and burying their feet in the sand, before heading to the airport. On the flight back, they managed to switch Lucy’s seat at the counter so they could sit next to each other, and Lucy playedBig Hero 6on the seatback screen. Elliot, laughing at himself and her, watched along with her, finally breaking his two-decade embargo on animated movies.

It was almost unbelievable, Elliot thought, how easily they’d slipped back into their old rhythms. Despite the ten years they’d spent apart, it was as though they hadn’t missed a step.

A small part of Elliot worried that the other shoe was about to drop. After all, they couldn’t so easily erase ten years of distance and misunderstandings with a kiss and one magical night together, could they? Yet Elliot tried to quiet that voice. He just wanted to enjoy his time with Lucy, whatever came next.

CHAPTER 17

LUCY

Lucy lay sprawled across Elliot’s couch, a bowl of popcorn on her lap and one leg slung over Elliot’s legs. They were watching an action movie that Elliot liked, though neither of them was paying much attention.

“I think we need to focus more on relationships with existing partners and clients,” Lucy said, popping a piece of popcorn into her mouth. “We need to reassure them that, despite the new management, nothing has changed.”

“Existing relationships are important,” Elliot said. “But without new clients and the growth that goes with them, it will look like we’re standing still. And no business wants to stand still.”

“That’s a good point.” Lucy chewed her lip thoughtfully. “What if we attract additional business from existing clients? We could reach out to, for instance, the glamping outfit in the Arizona desert to see if we can bring more of their services, like river rafting and canyoneering, on board. Originally, they only wanted to allow accommodations to be booked through the app because they wanted to suggest additional services themselves, but maybe we can convince them otherwise now.”

“That’s genius.” Elliot kissed Lucy’s cheek. “I’m lucky to have such a talented co-CEO.”

Lucy grinned. “The pleasure is all mine.”

“No, really. I know you haven’t had a management role like this before, but you’ve really taken to leadership like a duck to water. I’m impressed.”

“Someone thought I should just collect my share of the profits and stay out of things,” Lucy countered with a wink.

Elliot groaned. “I was wrong, okay? I admit that.”

“Yes, you were.” Lucy beamed at him.

Just then, Elliot’s phone rang from the table beside the couch. He picked it up, glanced at the screen and groaned again.

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