Page 10 of The Lighthouse on Plum Island
“Hello!” Jennifer seemed surprised to see her. “You’re home early.”
“Jen, it’s past one in the morning,” Caroline pointed out.
Her eyebrows shot up in surprise, and she looked at her wristwatch. “Oh, it is!” She pulled a face, kicking off her ridiculously high Jimmy Choo’s as she walked to the kitchen. “How was the date?”
“All kinds of wonderful!” Caroline sighed, getting another bottle of water for Jennifer and handing it to her.
“Uh-oh!” Jennifer looked at her with concern. “I’ve seen that starry-eyed look before, and you ended up marrying Robert the rogue.”
“Oh, no!” Caroline fobbed her off. “This is just a look of me enjoying a moment I haven’t had in a long, long time.”
“If that’s all it is.” Jennifer popped the bottle of water open and took a sip. “Then I’m glad, and it’s nice to see that sparkle in your eyes. You deserve some fun and a whirlwind romance.”
“Thank you!” Caroline grinned before stifling a yawn. “How was your networking night?”
“A lot more lucrative than I thought it would be.” Jennifer’s eyes lit with excitement. “I’ve got another three potential clients. I’m meeting with them tomorrow.”
“And your work won’t mind you taking time off to conduct personal business?” Caroline teased.
“Nope.” Jennifer shook her head. “Even if they did, I’d just take a few personal days, and I have way too much leave saved up.”
“I thought as much.” Caroline nodded and sipped her water. “You’ve hardly ever taken a vacation since you started working.”
“Did you get Brad’s last name?” Jennifer changed the subject.
“I did.” Caroline beamed. “It’s Beckett.”
“Brad Beckett!” Jennifer rolled the name off her tongue. “Sounds like the opening of a tongue twister.”
“Be nice,” Caroline warned her teasingly. “He’s a great guy.”
“You know that after a chance meeting and one date?” Jennifer looked at her skeptically. “You and I both know that people rarely present who they are even after you’ve known them for a hundred years.”
“Is this your way of telling me you’ve been lying to me about who you really are, and you’re really a cyborg alien here to destroy Earth?” Caroline grinned.
“Wow! You’ve truly become an author, my friend.” Jennifer laughed. “There were a million different ways you could’ve addressed that, but your imagination went straight to fiction.”
“I’m embracing my new craft.” Caroline gave a slight bow.
“Or you’re floating on cloud nine from a chance meeting with the gorgeous Brad Beckett!” Jennifer teased.
“You’re not going to stop saying his full name, now are you?” Caroline rolled her eyes.
“Nope!” Jennifer shook her head, taking a big sip of water before following Caroline from the kitchen. “And now I’m going to have to say goodnight because I have to be up early for a meeting and need some sleep.”
“I’m also tired and have a date with Brad at noon.” Caroline hugged Jennifer. “We’re going for lunch.”
“As long as you remember, we have the gallery function in the evening,” Jennifer reminded her.
“I know,” Caroline assured her as she headed for her bedroom. “I won’t forget.”
Caroline drifted off to the feel of Brad’s lips still imprinted on hers and his face floating through her dreams.
CHAPTER 4
The following day, Brad sat in his spacious corner office, engrossed in a conversation with Lucy Woods’ manager. The actress was a potential candidate for the lead role in the upcoming television series. Brad’s executive assistant, Harriet Joyce, had suggested her for the part.
As he hung up the phone, Harriet entered his office, holding two advance copies of “Cobble Cove Mysteries,” the books that were the foundation for their television series. Brad couldn’t help but admire the sleek cover designs, a tangible representation of the project they were about to embark upon.
