Page 30 of Tempting Me

Grace winks and continues to finish her plate.

My hand drops to her arm.

“What if he asks you out again?”

My best friend shrugs. “I’ll be polite, but the answer will still be no.”

Her answer is so simple, and yet it makes me sad for Luca. He’s going to get his hopes up and then nothing will come from it.

I shake all thoughts of a sad Luca from my mind and hold my head high.

Remodeling The Marina is back on track, and that is all I need to worry about right now.

As soon as breakfast is over, I head into town to pick up a few things for the bar and grab a coffee from Brooke’s. I know I could make my own at The Marina, but it’s just not the same.

With my bag of office supplies in hand, I pull open the door to B’s Bakery, only to step back in a hurry as Linc Collins steps out.

“Oh, hey Shay. I didn’t see you there.”

He shows his friendly grin, and I return one.

“In a hurry?” I ask.

He nods. “I was actually going to come see you today. I talked to your mom on the phone this morning.”

My stomach drops.

Already? The summer isn’t over, and not to mention, what the heck time is it in Europe right now?

“Oh” is all I manage to get out. I look away from him because I've been told I have a face that gives away all my emotions, and right now, I don’t want Linc to see that just knowing my parents have spoken to him could make me cry on the spot.

“Yeah.” His toe taps. He has the decency to look guilty. “There wasn’t anything set in stone, though. She just had a few questions on where to start if, you know, she decides to sell. I got the feeling she was still thinking it over.”

I force a smile and nod. “Thanks, Linc.”

“Anytime.”

The door of the bakery swings open again, and this time it’s Luca who steps out. He looks at me and then at Linc.

“What's going on?”

“Nothing,” I say quickly.

“Just chatting,” Linc adds.

“About what?” His demanding tone steals the show, and I find him watching me. His head tilts a little and his gaze locks on mine. “You good?”

I swallow, ready to tell him I'm fine, but then Miles walks out, followed by other locals.

An audience.

Great.

“That’s none of your business,” I snap at Luca and then look at Linc. “Have a good one.”

I push past everyone and step into the bakery, letting out a breath when I see that Sadie and Brooke are the only two inside.

“What?” Brooke asks, standing taller as she takes me in.

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