Tangled Love on Pelican Point (Island County Series Book 3)

by Karice Bolton

  “Decisions, decisions,” I whispered. “So you still hate Fireweed since last I asked?”

  “Still not my favorite place, no,” he breathed, and my eyes fell to his lips as I pulled away my hand. “But that’s not to say if I’m stuck on Fireweed, I wouldn’t want to enjoy the company of someone who sparks my interest while I’m here.”

  “So I’m just your platonic entertainment while you’re stuck here.”

  “Yes, held hostage here.” Wonder flicked through his expression.

  “Why’d you come back?”

  “I needed some refreshing honesty, and there’s only one person who hands it out freely.”

  I placed a kiss on his cheek, not expecting to feel the spark from something so innocent.

  “I’ve got to get to Island Bluff.” I pulled away, and to my delight, I saw Anthony’s expression fall.

  “I saw you changed the name of your Etsy store to Sophie Bristol Designs,” he said, standing up and hauling me to my feet.

  “I did.” My gaze accidentally fell to the empty bed, and I imagined what it would be like to be kissed hard and with such passion that love was the obvious answer.

  “Maybe someday,” he muttered, following my gaze.

  I straightened up and took a step back, seeing the smile in his eyes.

  “Maybe someday, what?” I questioned.

  “I think you know.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I stated nervously, clearing my throat. It wouldn’t take much to get me tangled up in those sheets with him, but I knew in my heart, I’d fall hard for him.

  Hard.

  “Did you know you tend to clear your throat when you’re nervous?”

  “Do not.” I started to turn the doorknob, but he wrapped his fingers around my wrist and brought me into him.

  “Must be my imagination,” he said softly. His gaze stayed on mine as his finger ran along my cheek.

  “Must be,” I whispered, feeling the gentleness of his touch.

  Did some men just exude so much sexuality that it infected every woman in a five-yard radius?

  “Well, I’d better get going. Don’t want someone to steal my tables.” I smiled, willing myself to leave.

  He let go, and my world shrank to the size of this room. If it had been another day, maybe I’d be crawling into bed with him.

  Maybe.

  “I feel absolutely awful,” I told Nick, resting my head in my hands.

  We were taking a break from the large order of wedding favors I’d promised Natalie for her clients. They’d loved her idea and accepted my bid on making the magnets. I’d been painting them at my dad’s every free second I had, and now Nick was lending a hand by putting them in cute boxes and tying an aqua ribbon around each.

  Ribbon spools, glue sticks, scissors, labels and twine were sprawled on the kitchen table.

  “So, let me get this straight. You show up on Anthony’s doorstep and tell him he looks like death warmed over and he still invites you in?” he chuckled, cracking his knuckles.

  “Yep. That’s exactly what happened.”

  “Sounds like the man has a sense of humor.”

  “He has pneumonia, actually.”

  “Yikes.”

  “Well, I somehow managed to insult him a little more just for kicks and giggles. I feel awful about it. He even fed me homemade soup.”

  Nick’s expression softened. “You’re falling for him.”

  “I am not. That would be the worst thing in the world to do.”

  “How do you figure?” he asked, standing up and stretching. “Wanna pop?”

  “Sure. I’ll take a Dr. Pepper. And it would be a bad idea because I’m not leaving Fireweed, and he’s not staying on Fireweed, and word on the street is it’s hard to have a long-distance relationship last a lifetime when you don’t live in the same house, let alone city.”

  Nick opened our drinks and poured them in a glass, handing me mine.

  “Maybe you shouldn’t be so stuck on Fireweed.”

  “You’re one to talk.”

  “But I’ve experienced other places. I’ve lived in other cities. I just decided to come back.”

  “Okay. So I keep seeing people like you leave and come back. You’re my guinea pigs. Why in the world would I leave if you all make your way back? It proves that Fireweed is the best place to be.”

  He shrugged. “Maybe for now, but you might change your mind. Shoot. I might change my mind.”

  Nick shook potato chips in a bowl and stayed standing by the sink.

  “I couldn’t leave my dad here,” I said softly so my dad couldn’t hear. He was in his bedroom watching television while working on the list of exercises Mary had dropped off this morning.

  “As a guy, I can tell you that no one would put up with your behavior unless they were interested.”

  “My behavior?” I smacked the table in shock. “I’ve been the good girl in all this, working and staying on the straight and narrow.”

  Nick rolled his eyes.

  “You’re not allowed to do that,” I teased.

  “When it deserves to be done, I can do what I want. You’ve insulted the very man who has given you more opportunity than you’ve ever had, and he still comes back for more. There’s genuine interest there. Didn’t you tell me you told him his song sucked?”

  “Not in so many words.” I paused. “He invited me to California.”

  “Point proven.” Nick crunched on a chip.

  “Well, it wasn’t an actual invitation. It was a bet I lost.”

  “Oh, Sophie. The guy’s trying to spoil you even when you lose bets, and you can’t see past the end of your nose. They always say that the men in the world are the jerks, endlessly toying with women’s emotions, but that’s not what I’m seeing here. Not at all.” He washed his hands and came over to the table.

  “How do you figure?” I asked.

  It was time to get back to work. I wrapped a magnet in silver tissue paper and placed it in a small box, tying the ribbon around it and affixing the correct label with twine. I was so grateful for this job. The deposit had been eight hundred dollars, which not only paid for the supplies, but it helped to pay off a chunk of one of my credit cards. Granted, several thousand still remained, but it was progress.

  “You’ve been a huge tease, kissing him, giggling, doing dinner, showing up on his doorstep—”

  “That’s me being friendly,” I protested. “I’m not leading him on. We’re just platonic.”

  “Have you ever kissed me like that?” Nick’s brow arched.

  “No,” I chuckled. “Would you want me to?”

  Nick pinched his chin and looked toward the ceiling, debating.

  “You’re such a liar.” I laughed.

  “I’m surprised the library kiss didn’t make our local paper,” Nick continued.

  “Oh, please. Natalie obviously embellished what happened. I can’t believe she told you.”

  “I heard it from Jewels. Natalie didn’t tell me a thing.”

  “Well, all I know is that Anthony Hill is nothing like the papers paint him to be, and hopefully whatever he and his brother have bubbling between them can get straightened out. It’s really awkward around Natalie because she firmly believes Cole knows what’s going on since he’s been around his brother for all these years.”

  “You’re not getting involved, are you?” Nick looked concerned.

  “Heck, no. That would be a losing battle. Cole and Anthony need to have a heart-to-heart. I haven’t even told Natalie that Anthony’s on Fireweed.”

  “Maybe they’ll hash it out at my costume party.”

  My shoulders sank. “That’s right. Halloween is this Friday.”

  “Way to make me feel like you’re excited about my party.”

  “Sorry. I’ve just been losing track of time. I can’t believe we’re almost to the end of October. Did you invite Anthony?”

  “How do you suppose I could do that? I’m not in the inside
circle. I don’t have access to his cell.”

  “Maybe I should invite him.”

  “Maybe you should.”

  “But his pneumonia might still be a problem.”

  “Or not.” Nick tied a ribbon around the box he was working on. “So have you thought about your costume?”

  I shook my head.

  “If you do invite Anthony, I say go sex kitten.”

  “Are you serious? You’re trying to pimp me out?”

  He fell silent for a few minutes as we both continued assembling the wedding favors.

  “You know,” he began again. “Neither of us has ever wanted a relationship.”

  “You mean with each other or in general?”

  Nick snickered. “Either, I suppose.”

  “You’ve dated more than I have.”

  “But I always pick the wrong ones,” he countered.

  “That’s because you use sites like Tinder.” My brow arched. “That’s not exactly known for long-term relationships. What’s your point?”

  “I know we both think that being in love isn’t for us, but what if we’re wrong? What if we’re so busy running from the idea, we don’t recognize a good thing when it happens right in front of us?”

  “I can only speak for myself, but I’ve seen what from this day forward and forever after really mean for couples,” I assured him.

  “That’s such a jaded way to look at things.”

  “Like you have a different perspective?”

  “My parents are still together.”

  “True. So what’s your excuse?”

  “They set the bar too high. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to find a love like they have, so I just go for relationships where I never have to worry about getting down on one knee. It’ll be a case of when pigs fly.”

  “You’ve given it that much thought?” I asked, curious to hear a man’s perspective.

  “I have a lot of quiet time for thinking while building furniture.” He smiled and stacked another finished box with the others and looked over at me.

  “So you’ve thought about the whole getting down on one knee thing.”

  “And I decided against it.” He paused. “Unless you can change my mind.”

  A shiver ran through me. Was he talking about me?

  And him?

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  He raised his brows and broke into a grin. “No. I meant if my other partner in crime can find love then maybe I wouldn’t be so against it for myself.”

  “So you’re making me the test case?” I leaned over the table and took a sip of my soda.

  “You’re about as screwed up as they come so if you can fall in love . . .” he laughed.

  “Wow. Okay, so I don’t how we got to the subject of love, but I’m a long way from loving anyone besides my family and friends.”

  “Then I guess I’ll be a single guy for a long time.”

  “A really long time. I’m gonna go check on my dad.”

  “Sure thing. I’ll just keep working on these last remaining hundred-plus boxes.”

  “I think we have fewer than that, but thank you,” I sang as I turned into the hall.

  My dad was watching a Seahawks game and sipping his beer that was probably flat by now.

  “Hey, Dad. Need anything?”

  He broke his stare from the television, and a spark flicked through his gaze.

  “All good,” he said, smiling.

  I noticed a yearbook on the bed.

  “Is this yours?”

  His cheeks flushed, and he took another sip of his beer through the straw.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever seen this before.” I reached for it, but he shook his head and slid it closer to him.

  “Are you hiding something from me?” I joked.

  “Never.” He turned his attention back to the television, and I started toward the hall. “Mary’s coming.”

  I turned back around and shook my head. “Not today. She has the day off.”

  “She’s coming,” he insisted.

  “Okay. Well, I’ll keep an eye out then. Nick and I are finishing up the last of the order, and then I’ll start dinner.”

  “Nice guy.” He stopped for a second. “For you.”

  I shook my head. “Not a chance, Dad. Just a friend.”

  I blew him a kiss and walked out into the hall, making my way back to the kitchen. My dad’s mood had lifted tremendously since Cindy had left. I’d heard through the channels at Loxxy that she was still hot and heavy with the other guy, which would make it much easier when it came time for my dad to file for divorce, but neither of us brought it up. For all I knew, he was waiting for her to get it out of her system and come back to him.

  I hoped not though. I glanced at the schedule in the living room to make sure I hadn’t lost my mind, but I was certain Mary wasn’t scheduled for today.

  “What’s up?” Nick asked, watching me walk by the kitchen.

  “Just checking the schedule.”

  “Well, as good as I can tell, you and I are supposed to be here.”

  I scanned the piece of paper, and sure enough, Nick was right.

  “So I’ve got bratwursts and potato salad for dinner.”

  “Let me guess. You want them grilled in the freezing cold out on the deck.”

  “You know I love you.” I grinned.

  “I know.”

  My phone buzzed, and I glanced down to see a text from Anthony.

  Sounds like fun. What time should I pick you up?

  “What the heck?” I asked, sliding my phone on.

  “What?” Nick asked, feigning innocence.

  “Anthony just texted something out of the blue.” I opened up my messages and saw one from me asking him to Nick’s Halloween party. “Are you serious? You snuck into my phone and texted him?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “You’re in so much trouble. I’d never do that to you.”

  “I hope that you would.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “It means that I’m always looking out for my best friend’s interests.”

  “At least you didn’t tell him I was ready to fly to LA with him.” I narrowed my eyes at Nick and cursed under my breath. “Now what am I supposed to tell him?”

  “Tell him what time you want him to pick you up.”

  I wanted to be mad at Nick, but looking into his puppy dog eyes proved it to be impossible. Besides, the idea of getting to see Anthony was appealing. My phone buzzed again.

  Did you already change your mind again?

  I giggled and Nick smiled.

  “That’s what I’m talking about, Ms. Sophie. He brings something out in you I’ve never seen.”

  I rolled my eyes and quickly texted back to pick me up at six o’clock on Friday.

  “You’re welcome.” Nick stood up and walked over to the fridge to remove the bratwursts.

  “I’m gonna keep my eyes on you.”

  “I would if I were you.”

  The doorbell rang, and my stomach fluttered, wondering if it was Anthony, which made absolutely no sense. He was hiding away at his house.

  I opened the door, and there stood Mary, holding a dessert. She wasn’t dressed in her uniform. Her hair cascaded past her shoulders, and I couldn’t hold my smile in.

  “Welcome. My dad said you’d be coming over.”

  “Oh, thank goodness. I was worried I’d be imposing.”

  “Never. I can promise you that.” I took the container from her and saw a banana cream pie inside.

  “Did you make this?” I asked.

  She nodded. “I thought it was something your dad would be able to work down, minus the crust. Plus, the rest of us can enjoy.”

  “Wow. We’re gonna have to fight the men off this.”

  “Oh, is Anthony here too?”

  I smiled. “No. I meant Nick.”

  “Oh, right.” A mischiev
ous grin flicked across her expression, and she glanced around the living room looking for my dad.

  “He’s in the bedroom.”

  “Nope,” my dad called from the hall. “Right here.”

  Hearing my dad, Nick walked into the living room and saw Mary, his gaze connecting with mine.

  “Do you like the Seahawks?” I asked.

  “Like? I love them. I even have season tickets. I promised your father a date once he can get around a little better.”

  “It’s all starting to make sense now. A woman after his own heart.”

  I watched my dad glide into the living room with his walker and stop in front of Mary.

  “I’ve got a few more boxes to take care of, and Nick’s going to start the bratwursts. If you need anything, I’ll be in the kitchen. I’ll put this in the fridge.”

  “Thank you, Hun,” Mary said, helping my dad to his chair.

  Nick wiggled his brows, and my grin only widened as I walked into the kitchen and took a seat at the table.

  “Can you put this away?”

  Nick nodded and slid it into the fridge.

  The doorbell rang again, and I looked over at Nick. He looked too giddy for his own good. I quickly glanced through my texts, but I didn’t see anything suspicious.

  “Can you get that?” I asked him.

  “Sure thing.”

  But before he had a chance to leave the kitchen, Anthony came walking in, and my heart nearly stopped.

  “Maybe pigs are about to fly,” Nick said under his breath, and Anthony glanced over at him, confused.

  “It’s a long story. It always is with him,” I told Anthony as Nick went out onto the deck. “You’ll learn to just ignore him.”

  “I thought maybe I should come over so we can plan our costumes or something.” Anthony grinned.

  The way he said it completely melted my heart. It felt so innocent and like something two high school lovebirds would do, and I loved it.

  I followed his gaze to the table where all the supplies were stacked.

  “It’s an order for some of Natalie’s clients.” I turned to face him. “If it weren’t for you, I’d never have gotten it.”

  “Not true.”

  “It is, actually. The day I told Natty about my little business, she offered me this project.”