Page 55 of The Deal Maker

We walk along the boardwalk, and I decide that I can’t stop touching Duke. I slip my hand next to his elbow and he juts it out, just like they do in the old-timey romance movies. I might not know much about most pop culture, but I have watched the classic romances.

By the time we make it to the shop, I’m surprised to see a line of people inside. Hope must see me through the window and waves for me to head in.

“Thanks for this morning. I need to go rescue my cousin.” I hurry into the shop, wondering if I should’ve just come back instead of agreeing to do the hunt task after I’d been sulking for too long.

And with that, I’m able to focus on work: filling orders, typing in prices and doing my best to keep a smile on my face for the customers. But all the while, my brain is next door, wondering what Duke is doing.

TWENTY-TWO

DUKE

I don’t make it over to the shop by the time they close. After the long day of working with the new hires the company sent over, I hope to top the night off with a sweet treat and another chance to talk to Maggie.

But by the time I close up everything, The Candy Jar is already dark.

I’m not sure whether to be disappointed that we couldn’t continue our hangout from this morning, or even figure out what signals we’re sending each other. I’ve gone from Enemy No. 1 toa whole lot of chemistry between us, but is that just what I’m feeling?

My phone starts buzzing with several texts from a group message with my friends.

Coop: Let’s meet up tonight. At the diner?

King: Let me ask Georgie.

Coop: You’re whipped.

King: I’m definitely okay with that.

Me: I’m game for a meet up.

Beck: I’ll have to pass tonight. I’m on a deadline.

Perry rarely has his phone on him, so I doubt he’ll see the message before we’re done at the diner.

And that’s how I end up at Witty’s as the sun is almost past the horizon.

The first thing I do is look around, hoping to see Maggie in one of the booths. Was it only this morning that I’d been in here with her and her stack of pancakes?

Sadly, no Maggie.

Coop waves me over, looking a lot more excited than I’ve seen him in a while. Probably because when I turn the corner, I see a woman sitting next to him. And they’re awfully close.

“Hey guys,” I say, pulling out a chair from next to the table and taking a seat. “How’s it going?”

Georgie leans over and says, “I was going to ask you the same thing. How are things going with you and Maggie?”

“There’s nothing to tell,” I say, even though my brain is reflecting on our sand adventures this morning. “We’re just partners for the scavenger hunt.”

“I don’t know. The two of you were awfully close during your cookie art.”

I raise an eyebrow. “You were watching?”

“You’re actually doing it?” Coop asks.

“Yeah, it’s been fun,” King says with a small smile directed to Georgie.

“We’ve grown up in Willow Cove. What’s new that we haven’t already explored?” Defiance is written all over Coop’s face, but one look from the woman next to him, and he settles down.

“I’m Duke Jacobson,” I say, holding out my hand.

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