PROLOGUE
My new sweatpants feel too tight and the sneakers too loose. I’m already out of breath, and I’ve only been jogging for two minutes.
“Tell me to walk already,” I mutter to the Couch to 5K program that I’m currently listening to on my phone. The voice in the program reminds me that I have forty-five more seconds of running, but I know I can’t do it, so I stop dead in the middle of the street.
“Watch it, lady.” A young guy with a skateboard in his hand glares at me, and I whisper an apology. Doesn’t he know how hard it is to be in the first week of a new workout regimen? I’m proud of myself for even trying because it’s not even January. I’m not doing this as part of a New Year's resolution to get fit. Though the truth of the matter isn’t anything to rave about. The simple fact is that I can no longer fit into my favorite pair of skinny jeans and keep them tight.
“Why can’t ten pounds just drop off of me?” I groan as I stand there on Main Street. On my side of the road sits the Whisper Cove Harbor and pier, but on the other side of the road sits Cristy’s Cupcakes & Coffee, and I so desperately want to go inside and grab my favorite cupcake in the world, the StrawberrySpecial, and stuff it into my mouth. I’m practically salivating as I stare at the exterior of the cute, picturesque pink store. “Would one cupcake really hurt?” I mumble to myself and then quickly look around to ensure that no one sees how pathetic I’m being.
I’m acting like a desperado for a cupcake. In fact, I’m acting just as desperate as the seagulls I hear circling above the water, hoping to catch some fish or stray pieces of bread. I rub my sweaty palms across my thighs and sigh loudly as my alarm goes off. I need to get back to work. Stat.
I take a deep breath and start running, but as soon as I do, I feel my calf muscle spasm, and I stop immediately. Unfortunately for me, whoever is behind me is not able to stop as quickly and bumps into me. Hard.
“Ouch,” I cry out and look back to see a tall man with vibrant blue eyes snarling at me. His hair is a golden brown and hangs to the side of his face.
“Ouch? What about me? Ow,” he grunts, rubbing his elbow and then looking to the ground in annoyance. I look down and see a spilled cup of coffee on the sidewalk.
“Oh. Did you drop your coffee?”
“Not on purpose.” His voice is deep, almost teasing, but he doesn’t look like he’s joking. To be honest, he looks annoyed. Hot, but annoyed.
“You should watch where you’re going.”
“You should watch where you stop.”
“I’m not in a car.” I don’t know why I’m being so obstinate, but he’s annoying me.
“Thank God for that. You’d be a menace on the road.”
“And you’d be a menace in the...” I pause to think.
“In the sheets?” He smirks, and I watch as he runs his fingers through his silky hair. He is far too good-looking. Far too cocky. Far too arrogant. I am not attracted to him.
In the least.
“You wish.”
“I don’t have to.” He cocks his head to the side, and I can’t help but stare at his lips. They look firm and kissable.Stop it, Gina,I lecture myself internally. I swear the exercise has made me loopy.
“I should go. I have places to be.”
“Don’t let me stop you.” He looks down at the expensive-looking watch on his wrist. “I hope your marathon training continues to go well.” He chuckles to himself, like he thinks he’s told a joke, and I just glare at him and keep my head high. I’m sure he can tell that I’m nowhere close to being ready for a marathon.
“And I hope your trip to the eye doctor goes well and you can finally get the glasses you so obviously need.” I sniff and turn around and run as quickly as I can, extending my arms and stride to make myself look as professional as possible. As soon as I round a corner, I double over, gasping for air, and lean back against the side of the brick building belonging to theWhisper Cove Guardian. I am absolutely exhausted, but my day is just beginning. I will not let my mind drift to the obnoxious, gorgeous stranger and our annoying encounter. I have far bigger fish to worry about today. As far as I’m concerned, I will never think about him and his sexy smirk again.
CHAPTER ONE
Gina
“Hey Louise, I’ve got this for you.” I look around the office and casually slide a manila folder, filled with marked-up pages, onto her desk. The older lady looks up at me with frightened eyes. “I fixed all the citations and added three primary sources from the Yacht Club for your story. If Holly asks, just say you caught everything.” A yawn escapes me as her expression changes to one of hope.
“Oh, Gina, you didn’t have to do that.”
“I know, but I wanted to help. No one deserves to be talked to the way you were.” I offer her a small smile. “Plus, the underlying article was great. I was happy to help. I’ve included the names and numbers of the staff members at the club, but they wish to remain anonymous in the article.” I don’t want Louise to feel indebted to me.
“You saved me,” She opens the folder and stares at the stack of papers with red lines and scribbled notes. “Oh my, you included the original board minutes from the last two meetings.This makes the story, Gina.” She looks at me in awe. “Holly would have fired me on the spot if she’d seen my first article.”
“It was nothing. Holly doesn’t get to decide everything.” I step back, stretching my arms wide to wake up.
