"You're not horrible, Gina, but there's no need to be jealous of Tina. I'm sure she has her own issues."
"Yeah, like how many hours it takes to count how much money she has in the bank." I giggle. "Fine, I know I'm beinga jealous loser. I guess I'm going to grab a glass of wine at Malibu's, seeing as I have so much time. Wanna come down and join me?"
"I would, but I'm already in my pj's. I just made cookies, and I want to see what Alan is going to do next." She pauses, and I hear her munching. "Also, are you sure you should drink wine before the date? I love you, but you are far too happy when you've had alcohol, and I don't want you to say something like,‘Yes, please’to Patrick because you're inebriated."
"Ugh, you're right. Why are you right? I don't want to be at the altar, saying hell no, and then defending my saying yes to the engagement because I had a couple of glasses of cabernet. Fine, I'll just go into the bookstore. It's only a few doors down, and at least I can stop myself from getting into trouble."
"Yes, girl, go to Chapters and Pages, treat yourself to a new book, and then head on over to see Patrick."
"Yeah, I'll do that. Okay, well, I will let you get back to your show."
"Thanks, girl. Love you. Come over as soon as the night is done and tell me everything that happened." She giggles. "And yes, I will be awake, no matter what time the date is over."
I hang up and make my way down Main Street towards Chapters and Pages. I love the bookstore; it is my safe space. I have spent many an afternoon, sitting in one of the couches, curled up reading a book, and sipping hot chocolate. The owners of the store, Ginny and Otis Smith, are two of my favorite people in all of Whisper Cove and have watched me grow up. They are like my de facto grandparents, and their granddaughter, Clare, was one of my closest friends in high school, though she left the island for college and grad school and was somewhere on the West Coast now, living her best life. I really need to schedule a phone date with her and catch up.
I stand outside the quaint store with its large windows and check out the latest window displays. One window is filled with classics and cute little lights, while the other side is a mix of thrillers, romance books, and historical fiction. I smile at the two historical books on the small wooden stand. I know that Otis Smith is responsible for that part of the display, as he's the biggest history buff I know. He's always been into history and ancestry, and he told me once that he traced his ancestors on his dad's side all the way back to a small village in Nigeria, which is super cool.
I open the entrance to the store and am immediately greeted by the smell of peaches.
"Welcome to Chapters and Pages," Ginny calls out from behind the counter. "Oh, hey there, Gina." She beams and offers me a wave. "I'm making some of my world-famous peach lemonade. You want a glass?"
"Yes, please." I nod eagerly as I head over to where she's standing. There are bookmarks, postcards, and stickers displayed next to the register, and I smile at the sticker right in front of me. There's a palm tree, a stack of books, and a caption that reads,Welcome to Whisper Cove, the Home of Romance. I try not to laugh because I've never heard that phrase before in my life, but I know that Ginny loves romance books, so maybe she's trying to make a name for our city, other than us being famous for having the most billionaires per capita.
"This is so cute, Nana Smith." I've called her by that name since I was a kid, and it feels disrespectful to call her anything else now that I'm older.
"Thanks, Gina. Glad you like them. How have you been? We haven't seen you in a while. Otis is just in the back, getting some books to restock." She smiles at me, her eyes taking in my appearance. "You’ve got a date tonight."
"I do, with my uh, situation... I mean my boyfriend, Patrick."
"The guy from Staten Island?" She gives me a look. "The one with the tattoos? The one seen around warehouses late at night?" Her look is disappointed and disapproving, and I don't say anything in response. I don't know how I could ever forget that everyone knows everyone's business in Whisper Cove. I don't even know how to defend him because I truly don't know what he does.
"Yes, ma’am," I say simply, and she just shakes her head.
"Well, you look very nice," she says finally and then turns away to grab a glass for the lemonade. I stand there awkwardly, feeling like I’m twelve years old again and have just been told off for sneaking a read of a dirty romance book, instead of something age appropriate. I look down at my fingernails and then turn toward the door as the bell signals someone's entry. My heart drops when I see who has entered.
"I don't believe my luck," I mutter under my breath as I stare into the dazzling and teasing blue eyes of the handsome man who stole my cupcake the day before. I never thought I'd see him again, and yet, here he is. And he looks just as startled as I do.
"Don't tell me that you're stalkingmenow, wannabe FBI lady," he says with a sardonic smirk, and all I want to do is tell him to shut up, but I know that I can't. I'll have to find some other way to put him down instead.
CHAPTER FOUR
Gina
"You could only wish I was stalking you." I try not to stare at my sardonicfriend, but it's hard not to drool as I take in his appearance. I'm not sure it's possible that he looks even more handsome today. Maybe it's because he's a little more dressed down, in a plain gray shirt and long white boardshorts. His hair is messy and, if I'm not mistaken, still slightly wet and sandy. He's wearing flip-flops, and he has that surfer look that I always loved in high school.
"I think I have better things to wish for." He snorts, and that's when I notice the towel over his shoulder. So he had definitely been at the beach, then.
"It must be nice being a beach bum, not having to work," I say, careful to keep my tone polite so Ginny doesn't think I'm being rude.
"Or maybe I'm just a tourist enjoying his vacation, which, surprise surprise, includes going to the beach." He takes a step closer to me. "Is your mind blown that someone might cometo Whisper Cove, an island famous for its beaches, to actually spend some time at the beach and watch the sunset?"
"I don't think criminals should have the opportunity to enjoy nature." I cross my arms and glare at him. I know I sound ridiculous, but being around this man has a way of infuriating me and making me do crazy things.
"Criminals?" He throws his head back and starts laughing. Like what I've said is super funny. "The only one in a position of possibly winding up in jail in the next forty-eight hours is you, Agent..." His voice trails off, and all I can do is blush a deep red because, of course, he is right.
"I'll have you know that I will neither deny nor agree with your statement. As a person who very much cares about accuracy, I will..." I stop as he laughs even louder. "What's so funny?"
"How many boyfriends have you stalked in your life, lady?" He takes another step forward and looks me up and down. "And who are you meeting in that outfit? Your next victim?"
