Page 74 of Bayside Heat
He looked up as they approached and said, “There’s my beautiful princess bride!”
He set the book down and pushed to his feet, whipping off his dark sunglasses and revealing soft, friendly blue eyes. Several colorful beaded bracelets adorned his wrist, and a single leather anklet set off his muscular, tanned legs. He slid his feet into a pair of flip-flops and pulled Desiree into an overzealous embrace, air-kissing both cheeks.
“Hi, Donovan,” Desiree said.
“I see you brought your entourage this time, and not your prince.” He lowered his voice and said, “They’re gorgeous, but Ricky’s better eye candy for me.”
They all chuckled.
“Bet Ricky loves that,” Violet said snarkily as they made their way inside.
“I’m all eyes, not hands-on, sweetheart,” Donovan said. “You must be Violet, the motorcycle-riding, badass sister I’ve heard so much about.” He raked his eyes down Violet’s black T-shirt and cutoffs to her biker boots. “Mm-mm. Woman, you have got it all going on. I have been searching for the perfect dress for you ever since Desiree told me about you.”
“This should be interesting,” Emery whispered to Serena.
As Donovan went behind the antique dresser he used as a counter, Serena took in the mayhem that was Swank. Several chandeliers and lanterns dangled from exposed joists in the ceiling. Teal and yellow walls looked as though the color had been drained from them, like aged fruit, and dresses were displayed hanging from simple hooks. Antique dressers were placed haphazardly, draped with scarves, mismatched lamps, and other accessories. Funky racks held dresses, skirts, and blouses of all styles and colors, with seemingly no organization.
Serena grabbed Chloe’s hand and said, “Please give me a few hours, some paint, and a really great handyman. I could make this place look incredible, instead of like someone’s closet exploded.”
“Shh,” Chloe chided her.
“I’ve got your gorgeous wedding dress ready and waiting in the dressing room, princess,” Donovan said to Desiree as he came around the counter holding a garment bag. He handed the garment bag to Violet and waved to a row of curtains in the back of the store. “Why don’t you two chickies go try your dresses on, and I’ll get to know your friends.”
Violet sneered at the garment bag. “I’m not wearing any frilly shit.”
Donovan huffed out a breath. “Honey, I had strict orders from your sister, who clearly adores you, not to find anything too girly. No frills, fuss, or muss. Trust me, sugar. You’re going to love this dress.”
“I’m not wearing heels,” Violet insisted.
“He knows.” Desiree grabbed Violet’s arm and dragged her toward the dressing area. “This is what sisters do when one of them gets married. We try on dresses together. Now, get in there and try it on. If you hate it, you don’t have to buy it.”
They disappeared behind the curtains. Donovan quickly made his way around the room, chatting with each of the girls. By the time he reached Serena, she could see by the look in the others’ eyes that they were all crazy about him.
“You’re the Boston transplant,” Donovan said as he came to her side.
“I guess that’s about right. I’m Serena.”
“Yes. The interior designer who’s dating Ricky’s supposedly hot brother, right?” He waved his hand. “The girls gave me the scoop.”
“In seven minutes? They got right down to the dirt, didn’t they?” She glanced at Mira, who mouthed, I love him!
“A smart shopkeeper knows how to work a room.” He waggled his brows.
“I love your shop. I hope you don’t take this the wrong way, but may I ask why you haven’t organized it in a way that would make it easier for customers to find what they’re looking for?”
“You mean why does it look like my kooky Grandma Zelda decorated?” He reached up and touched a stuffed cat sitting beneath a gold lamp in the shape of a woman.
“I didn’t mean—”
“Oh, yes, you did,” he said in a singsong voice. “And you’re right. My grandmother Zelda owned this place until she passed two years ago. That’s when I took over. I haven’t had the time to make it more appealing.”
