“Unfortunately, no.” Willow kept giggling. “He’s adorable.”
Holly finished the introductions, “And Scarlett Evans, online math teacher and tutor extraordinaire.”
“Pleasure,” Scarlett said in her typically guarded way, though her smile seemed warmer than usual.
“We’re all part of a weekly silent reading club.”
Seb’s dark eyebrows lifted.
“Dedicated reading time,” Scarlett explained. A wicked gleam danced in her eyes. “According to Mrs. Gable, Holly has a new beau.”
Grace aimed a quelling look at Scarlett. “And we all know how Mrs. Gable loves to embellish a tale. But as friends of Holly’s?—”
“Good friends, clearly,” Seb said. “It’s nice to meet you all.”
“How on earth did Mrs. Gable get to all of you so quickly?” Holly asked. “This has to be a new grapevine record.”
Scarlett raised her hand. “I spotted you from the Perk,” she said. “It’s my late-start day.”
“And Mrs. Gable came into the Belle to tattle on you,” Grace added.
“Grace texted me,” Willow said, “and we had to come over for the facts.” She stood up, beaming as if she expected a medal. “So what are your intentions with our friend?”
Holly swore and everyone else laughed.
“The better question is what are her intentions with me,” Seb replied. “Vince and Holly both are working on a welcome to town interview.” He glanced at Holly. “That’s the general take on it, right?”
Seeing the futility of clarifying anything, she nodded. “Yes. He bought the Marion estate.”
“Oh, congrats. Assuming it’s not a mausoleum.”
“It’s lovely,” Holly snapped. “I mean…” Heat flooded her face.
Scarlett folded her arms. “This gets juicier by the minute.”
“It’s not like that,” Holly muttered. “Vince had a flat and couldn’t make the set interview.”
“And Digby escaped, taking a tour of the muddy marshes before Holly found him,” Seb said.
“So, Seb patched the escape route, and I traded cleaning up the dog for a tour.”
“You’ve always wanted to see that place,” Grace said.
“Exactly.”
“And the interview?” Scarlett asked, watching them way too closely.
Holly always gave Scarlett a little leeway. Life had thrown way too many curve balls at her and few had landed lightly. Though she’d been born and raised in the Lowcountry, she didn’t embody southern hospitality or care much for transparency, but once she decided you were a friend, she was loyal and protective to a fault.
“It’s going well,” Holly said. “Seb’s been cooperative.”
Grace’s smile twitched. “Cooperative.” She traded a glance with the others. “That’s exactly what it looked like.”
“I’m glad,” Holly stated firmly. “Now if you’ll excuse us, we need to get to the office.”
“Pleasure meeting you all.”
“That’sy’all,” Scarlett teased.
