“Not at all. You might end up on camera, too, just so you know.”
She smirked. “I don’t know if I’m ready for that.”
“I’ll have Clive here. He’s going to do a little hair and makeup so we’re all camera-ready.”
She blinked. “My boyfriend has a hair and makeup guy?”
“You think I look this good without help?” He chuckled. “I only bring him in when I have a guest that I think might benefit from a little confidence boost.”
“That is really nice. Joyce and Beryl are going to feel like stars.”
“That’s my plan.”
She gave him a long, appraising look. “As boyfriends go, you’re pretty cool.”
“Thanks. As girlfriends go, so are you.”
She gasped. “We never had ice cream.”
He laughed and sat up, rippling the water out all around him. “You’re right. How did we forget that? I’ll be right back.” He climbed out, dripping water as he went.
She watched him, appreciating the view. “Are we eating it in the pool?”
“Yes.” He wrapped his towel around his waist after drying off. “Unless you don’t want to.”
“Nope. Good with me.” Ice cream in the pool. With a very hot man. Who was also her boyfriend. How had life gotten this good?
She exhaled a happy breath. Her mind drifted to Willa. Frankie wasn’t thrilled with her daughter’s decision to leave school to work. To Frankie, Willa would have gotten a much better job with a much better salary when she graduated with that doctorate. But they’d talk soon. At least Willa had texted.
But Frankie also understood that Willa must think life here in Hideaway Bay was something magical. Their small circle included a famous author and a star YouTube chef. Plus, her newly discovered grandfather was only two hours away.
And then there was Kyle. Whatever that was about.
Frankie got it. Willa thought the grass was greener on the Hideaway Bay side of the fence. Frankie couldn’t blame her daughter, because she basically thought the same thing. Actually, she knew it was greener.
Harper’s inherited house and grounds were incredibly beautiful and luxurious. Even the house Frankie had shared with Tom didn’t compare to Harper’s house.
Life here wasn’t just better, it was more. And it was less. More laidback. More enjoyable. More family time. More laughter. More interesting. And less stress. Less loneliness. Less feeling like all she did was work, sleep, repeat.
Of course Willa wanted to be here. Who wouldn’t?
When Frankie got home, she and Willa would talk. They’d set some ground rules. And Frankie would apologize for upsetting Willa. She knew she had. She didn’t want her daughter to doubt the decision she’d made because she had to live with it. And living with that kind of uncertainty? That was no way to move forward.
Better to make the most of the changes that were coming. For all of them.
“Dessert is served.” Lucas shimmied out of his towel, came down the steps into the pool, and sat beside her, a dish in each hand. “Here you go.”
“So what are you calling this creation?” Frankie asked. There was a very generous scoop in the bowl, along with a spoon. Chocolate chips and chopped macadamia nuts flecked the creamy white ice cream. “Mac Bliss?”
“Mac Bliss. Like Almond Joy, but not. Yeah, I like that. Mac Bliss it is. Nicely done, Frankie. You’re really earning your keep.”
She spooned up some ice cream and took a bite. It was deliciously coconutty, but the bittersweetness of the dark chocolate combined with the buttery macadamia nut pieces gave it layers of flavor. She pointed at the ice cream with her spoon. “This is delicious. So much better than store bought. You should sell this. I’m serious.”
He still had some in his mouth. He swallowed. “It is pretty good, isn’t it?”
“Pretty good? It might be the best ice cream I’ve ever had. I can’t believe it’s nondairy.”
“Homemade ice cream is always better than store bought. I think.”
