Page 22 of Nights at Seaside
Sky laughed and sighed dreamily—for effect—then read the text aloud.
“Radiant beauty. Soft as light. Dark and stormy, wild and bright. I can’t wait to see my sweet summer Sky tonight.”
“I don’t care if he boxes, skydives, or steals quarters from little old ladies,” Bella said. “That man just got hotter.”
“That’s more romantic than Petey organizing my rock collection by size.” Jenna swooned. She’d been collecting rocks for years, and she had a wicked case of OCD, making what she’d suggested a supreme gift.
“Kurt’s a great writer, but thrillers don’t compare tothat,” Leanna said. “Is he a poet?” Her husband, Kurt, was a bestselling thriller writer.
“He writes songs, but it’s just a hobby. A seductively sexy hobby.”
“No wonder Blue was jealous,” Amy said. “I’m jealous.”
“Blue’s not jealous, but speaking of Blue…” Sky rose to her feet, and Pepper lifted his head and barked. “Sorry, Pep, but I’ve got to go see our friend before I open my shop. I want to check on the renovations.” She glanced over the table. “Want me to carry some of this stuff inside?”
“Oh, no, thanks.” Amy waved her hand. “The girls and I can handle it. How’s Merlin enjoying the cottage?”
“Merlin is in heaven. He loves sleeping in the corner of your couch. I hope that’s okay.”
Amy smiled. “Honey, that cute little muffin can sleep anywhere he wants.”
A postal truck pulled into the complex and stopped in front of Amy’s house.
“Expecting a package?” Jenna asked.
Amy shook her head. “Not that I know of.”
The postman, Carl, waved as he got out of the truck and flashed a bright smile that reached his sea-green eyes. “How’s it going, ladies?”
“Better now,” Bella mumbled under her breath.
“You definitely have a thing for guys in uniform,” Jenna teased. Bella’s husband was a police officer.
Carl carried a pink box under one arm as he mounted the steps. He’d been the postman for the complex for the past several years and knew each of the residents by name. “What’s for breakfast?” He eyed the toast and jam. “Got any more of that Sweet Heat Jam, luscious Leanna?”
Leanna’s cheeks pinked up. “No…But I have Moon-Shine Jelly.”
She fixed him a slice, and they all gawked as he took a bite and closed his eyes, enjoying the deliciousness.
“Mm-mm.” Carl savored the flavor. “You do know how to stir things up.”
“You are such a flirt,” Bella said. “Who’s the package for?”
“Well, first of all, not that I’m judging, but someone’s going to have a fun night. This lovely package isfromEve’s Adult Playhouse and it’stoT. Ottoline, but it has Amy and Tony’s address on it. So…” The side of his lips quirked up as he winked at Amy. “Either Amy and Tony are going incognito, or Theresa has mistakenly put the wrong address on the box.” Theresa Ottoline was the property manager for the community. She was about twenty years older than the girls, far more proper, and oversaw the community rules with an iron fist.
“That is not mine!” Amy shook her head adamantly.
Sky giggled. “You sure? Maybe Tony wanted to spice things up.”
“Or maybe our sweet Amy wanted to do more than ride the longboard.” Jenna’s head fell back with a loud laugh.
Sky caught Bella trying to stifle a laugh and had a feeling that this was one of Bella’s pranks. Every summer Bella pranked Theresa, and every year Theresa’s responses grew stronger. One year Bella put an old toilet on Theresa’s front lawn, and rather than complain, Theresa dropped her drawers and used the stupid thing, right in front of everyone. This situation reeked of a Bella prank.
Carl held one hand up. “No judgments here, Amy. Do you want me to leave it on the table?”
“No!” She pushed the box back into his hands. “March it over to Theresa’s house.”
“Okay…” He descended the deck, and they all burst out laughing.
