Page 99 of Summer Tease
“Gosh no,” I exclaim, pulling back with wide eyes. “She’d end up in handcuffs.”
He chuckles. “You’re right. Not a good plan. What, then? Do I need to butter her up with some ice cream? Offer to expunge her record?”
“Could you do that?”
“No,” he says.
My phone pings, and I pull it out of my pocket.
Eugene
We’ve had a few more showing requests for this week. I let Mr. Wallace’s agent know, and he said they’d like to go ahead and sign. The boundary issues can be addressed during the due diligence period—we’ll just set that deadline out far enough that we can be sure we have the report back.
I sigh, unsure whether to feel relief or sadness.
“What?” Beau asks.
I turn off the screen and slip my phone back in my pocket. “The buyer wants to sign a contract because we’re getting more interest in the property.”
“Ah,” he says. This whole thing affects him too, after all. He’ll be neighbors with Mr. Wallace—or his guests, I suppose. He can’t be thrilled about that.
Jimmy and his ilk checked out this morning, and I’m crossing my fingers for a nice, well-behaved family to replace them. Frat boys can’t be the only people interested in renting on this island, right?
“Are the other buyers investors too?” Beau asks.
I shrug. “I don’t know. But there’s no way they’d be as motivated as Mr. Wallaceandbe able to pay cash.”
He nods but doesn’t say anything.
“If the house is going to be sold, better to have it over and done with,” I continue. “And with Mr. Wallace, we could close before the end of the month, which wereallyneed to do. Marlyss Gapmeyer warned me that short-term rentals are on the chopping block at the August council meeting. Which reminds me—I need to get going on putting together your presentation.”
“Gemma,” Beau says, “you don’t have to do that. I gave you a hard time about it because you were leaving. And now you’re not.”
“Oh, I want to do it,” I reply.
“You do?” He couldn’t look more perplexed if he tried.
“Going through hours of footage of you in that cop getup? Sounds like a dream.”
He smiles and steps away. “What, you like this?” He shimmies and runs his hands down his sides.
“I can’t resist,” I say. “In fact, I may just offer togiveyour presentation.”
His teasing disappears, and his eyes widen. “Are you joking?”
I laugh. “No. I know you hate the idea of standing up thereand talking about yourself. And I’m used to doing presentations for clients.”
I try not to smile as he turns and grabs my hands, pulling me against him again for a long, deep kiss.
Walkinginto Seaside Oasis feels a little bit like heading to the gallows. An email comes in from Eugene with the purchase contract for Grams to sign as I’m walking to Grams’s room. At least I’ll have some positive news for her. I find her having just showered after her water aerobics class. She opens the door for me.
“There you are,” she says with a smile. She’s in a good mood—and I’m not sure whether that’s a pro or con given the purpose of my visit. “Watch this.” She shuffles away from the door. Without her walker.
I raise my brows. “Look at you! Those water aerobics are doing you good.”
She moves her hips a little, only to wince. “Bah,” she says in frustration.
“All in good time, Grams.” I come inside and shut the door. “Guess what? I’ve got a contract on the house for you to sign.”
