Page 47 of Love At The Shore
“Under one condition.” Lucas held up a finger. “No hugging.”
According to Kayla, that was the tipping point.
“I don’t get it.” Nick’s eyebrows scrunched together. “Why would I…”
Before he could press for an explanation on the no-hugging condition, the mouse ear expert herself turned up.
“Hi.” She gave Lucas a friendly hug.
“Kayla, hello. How are you?” Out of the corner of his eye, Lucas spotted Nick hustling to catch up with Ally and Jenna. Maybe he’d do the same, now that he’d set some boundaries.
He swallowed. Gosh, he was beginning to sound like someone he knew.
“I’m good,” Kayla said.
“Would you do me a favor? Will you take Tank?” Lucas offered her Tank’s leash.
She took it. “Absolutely.”
“Thank you.” The odds of finding some space on Jenna’s blanket would probably be easier without Tank cruising for crumbs. Besides, the dog loved Kayla. Ally had been taking up so much of Tank’s time that he hadn’t seen much of her lately.
“I’ll catch you in a bit, okay?” Lucas waved, and as he walked away he could have sworn Tank winked at him.
Lucas might be doing a half-decent job of fooling himself where his affection for Jenna’s kids were concerned, but his dog clearly had his number.
Jenna found Maureen and Ian on a large patchwork quilt smack in the center of the grassy picnic area. She tightened her grip on her tote bags as she drew near, acutely aware of her tardiness.
Not that a picnic was a structured sort of affair. But Jenna was never late—not for social engagements and definitely not with her book deadlines. A flicker of worry passed through her at the thought of her book, but she reminded herself of all the amazing progress she’d made since the night before and she breathed a little easier. She still had a couple weeks. Everything was under control.
Except, oh yeah, she was late for the concert because she’d been riding around in an open-air beach vehicle with her handsome neighbor.
“Hey, guys.” She dropped her belongings at the edge of the quilt and attempted an apologetic smile.
It was no use. She wasn’t sorry. Not one bit. Riding in Lucas’s Jeep had been fun. Her hair was probably three times bigger than it had been when she left the house, but she didn’t even care.
“Hey,” Ian said.
Maureen’s gaze narrowed. She looked at Jenna like she no longer recognized her. “For someone who’s so punctual, you’re really late.”
“Sorry, we decided to ride-share.” Jenna sat, hoping against hope Maureen wouldn’t press for details.
But of course she did. “You decided to what?”
At that precise moment, Lucas strolled into view and Maureen’s features brightened with understanding.
“Oh, right.” She beamed at him while Ian bit back a knowing smile. “Hey, neighbor.”
Lucas hovered at the edge of their cozy set-up. “Surprised to see me?”
Always one for directness, Maureen nodded. “Maybe.”
“Does this mean we need to make more room?” Ian aimed a pointed glance at Jenna. “Or build another fence?”
She laughed. Fine, she deserved a little teasing about the fence. It had been an impulsive, and ultimately disastrous, idea.
“Make more room. Right, Lucas?” Maureen nudged a wicker picnic basket off to the side.
Jenna should probably put a stop to things before Maureen physically dragged him onto the blanket. Because again, they werenoton a date. The ride in the Jeep was basically a glorified Uber trip.
