Page 117 of Banter & Blushes

“Not a no for marketing. Definitely, it’s a no about romance.” Stabbing the air with her pen, she frowned at the two women across the table. “Don’t you dare think of making this a game.”

Gigi nodded, all too pleased with the direction of the conversation. “Did you know he retired early? Or got burned out. Men always get vague when you ask why they leave their jobsandtheir wives.”

Caroline blinked. “You two know way too much about everyone in this town.”

“It’s a skill set,” Gigi said modestly, dabbing her lips with a napkin. “Anyway, rumor is he helped some coastal resort triple their bookings. You get him on your team? Your summer gala might actually happen.”

“Don’t let the flip-flops fool you,” Mabel added. “He’s got a brain under all his sun-bleached hair.”

Caroline stood, sliding her notebook into her tote. The keys to The Hollis Express jingled softly in her hand.

“He sounds like just what I need.”

“Sandy!” Mabel called across the room. “Get a coffee to go for the mayor.”

“Hazelnut creamer, two sugars,” Gigi chimed in.

“I don’t drink …”

“It’s not for you.” Gigi winked. “Let us know how you make out.”

Mabel snorted. “Or if you make out.”

She turned to go, coffee in one hand, resolve in the other. As she reached the door, something caught her eye. Gigi, without breaking stride, pulled a laminated bingo card from her bag and slid it across the table to Mabel.

Not a word.

Not a look.

But Caroline knew exactly what it meant.

And she had the distinct feeling she’d just been added to someone’s “Summer Shenanigans” square.

CHAPTER 4

BECKETT

Beck was exactly where he planned to be. He was barefoot, semi-horizontal, and holding a lukewarm cup of coffee on his weathered front porch.

It was his favorite part of the day. Just him, the waves, and gulls squawking like they had opinions to share. He stretched, bare toes curling against the porch railing, and took another sip of coffee. It wasn’t great, but it was caffeinated. He had no complaints.

Until he heard a sputtering, rattling, and high-pitched electric whine.

It was unnatural.

It was coming closer.

Then, racing into his gravel driveway like a mission statement on wheels, the pastel menace came into view.

He blinked.

Surely, she wasn’t coming to see him. But the golf cart skidded to a stop, and Beck knew in an instant he’d underestimated Caroline Hollis’s determination and his own reluctance.

Beck stilled. She parked next to his truck, a bright punctuation mark in his colorless world. He watched, half-amused but mostly incredulous, as she stepped from the monstrosity and surveyed the beach house.

The echo of Sandy’s cheeky observations rang in his head. Caroline emerged with a flourish almost as bold as the contraption she drove. Her hair,tousled by the wind, gave her an air of frazzled elegance. Despite the intrusion, and despite himself, Beck couldn’t help noticing how the bright pink sweater made her look fresh and stubbornly out of place against the muted gray of the sky.

She hesitated, taking in the driftwood porch and the hammock swaying lazily like it had all day. Beck’s eyes narrowed as he noticed the clipboard clutched in her hand. Of course. Tropical storm Caroline: the agenda-bearing menace. He braced for the impact.

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