“But, like, were there any sparks?” Natalie rested her chin on her hand.
“He’s gorgeous, guys. Like, too pretty, and he didn’t at any time look at me with that kind of interest. Why would he?”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Ben poked me hard in the arm.
“He’s some rich, hot-as-sin man, goes to galas, lives on private islands. I’m a twenty-five-year-old ice cream shop worker who lives above a bookstore with a cat.”
Ben leaned forward and took my face in his hands. “Sam, you’re very handsome. You’re funny, kind, and loyal to a fault. Honestly, if someone doesn’t want you because you’re not as rich as they are, that’s on them. But this bullshit that you’re not worthy of someone like Lukas Farren because of some ill-conceived notion you’ve put in your head—I’m gonna need you to smarten up.”
I chuckled and slipped out of his grasp. “Thank you, but you’re biased.”
“I am, but I have also never lied to you, have I?”
“No.”
“Good, so, shut up unless you’re going to say something smart.”
The three of us laughed, and the rest of the afternoon was spent catching up with what had been going on in their lives. By the time I was heading back to my place, I had a pep in my step and a wide grin on my face.
The breeze had gotten colder, and there was no question we were on the cusp of winter. Trees were still full of color, but so many leaves covered the ground, and I reveled in the crunch they made as I walked along a side path.
A familiar noise caught my attention and through the trees I saw Lukas’s speedboat barreling toward the shore. This had to be a new record. Usually he didn’t come this way for at least a week, but it had only been two days.
A silly thought that he was here to see me was fleeting and quickly dismissed. But I had no plans today, so I headed in the direction of the docks.
I watched as he hopped out gracefully and tied the boat down. When he turned and saw me, he froze.
“Sam.”
“Lukas.”
He rolled his eyes and headed my way. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you had me microchipped, considering how many times I bump into you.”
I snickered. “That’s an idea that’s not at all creepy. Did you get that from one of your homicidal books?”
He actually smiled. Okay, it was minute, but it counted. “Perhaps.”
“What brings you to shore on this fine day?”
“I have to pick up a package that couldn’t be delivered during the storm.” He headed in the direction of the post office.
“Don’t you have minions for those kinds of things?” I was following, because of course I was.
He snorted. “Winston and my staff have been on cleanup duty the past forty-eight hours. The sitting area outside, pool, everything is a mess. And since I’m a capable person, I said I’d go.”
“How magnanimous of you.”
He dipped his head. “Thank you.”
We walked for about a hundred feet before he looked over at me. “Are you following me?”
“Joining you.”
“Huh.” He pursed his lips. “So, if you were a stalker, and you simply told the police you were joining me and not following me, that would be acceptable?”
I shrugged. “I dunno. But the sheriff in this town has asked me out like fifty times, so I think I’d get away with crime.”
“Like crime in general?”
