“Wendy, are you up there?” Gale’s voice floats upstairs.
“Shit, shit,” Wendy hisses, sliding out of bed. “Do I look guilty?”
I chuckle. “Mmm. Kinda?”
“Shit.” She pulls on her shorts and glances in the mirror, readjusting her ponytail.
Footsteps start up the stairs, and Wendy pushes me out the bed and strips the sheets and blankets in her arms.
“I’ll be back later to replace all this.”
“Can’t fucking wait,” I say, waggling my brows.
“You’re trouble.” She tries to hold back a smile and fails.
“So are you,” I say.
“Wendy?”
Footsteps continue, and she snaps on the professional version of herself, then grabs the doorknob. She holds the comforter in front of her, nearly blocking her face.
She’s adorable.
“Yes, ma’am? Sorry. Carter requested a linen change. Stripped the bedding first,” Wendy explains.
“Oh, okay. The Baileys just arrived and are ready to check in. I can take care of it, but thought you might want to do that part with the fancy reservation system,” Gale says.
Two sets of footsteps fade away, along with their voices.
I sit on the edge of the bare mattress, tasting her on my lips.
Damn, I might have to give Reese a raise for sending me to the middle of nowhere. This is exactly where I’m supposed to be.
After I take a shower, I go down to the lobby for some water because I’m parched. The dining room still smells like cinnamon and butter, and the Bees are in their usual spot. Gale is in her chair by the window with a mimosa while Birdie works on a crossword puzzle from the newspaper. At the top, it saysCoconut Beach Weekly. Lucille discusses how to whip strawberry icing while she doodles in the little notebook in front of her.
“Good morning, Carter,” Gale says with a smile. “You have to try one of these cinnamon rolls. They’re famous on the island.”
“I did. And I agree. Josie forced me this morning.”
“Josie was here? I had no idea.” Gale takes a sip from her glass. “You look different. Happier. Lighter,” she says. “It must be the ocean air. Does have a way of getting in your lungs and changing your life.”
“Part of living the sweet life. So many come to visit Coconut Beach and never leave. Has a way of capturing your heart,” Birdie adds without looking up from her crossword.
“Maybe that’s what it is,” I say. “I do feel happier.”
I’d bet my trust fund that Wendy is eavesdropping from the lobby.
“Seven letters. Starts withS.Secret meeting between lovers.”
“Sangria?” Lucille says with a shrug.
“That’s not it,” Birdie mutters, then puts on her invisible thinking cap.
“The answer isscandal,” I say. “I love crosswords.”
Their eyes focus on me a beat too long.
“Sit with us.” Lucille pats the chair beside her. “We don’t bite.”
