by Ellie Hall
“Who’s asking for Billie?” Her tone was flat. Maybe she didn’t like her boss.
His brow furrowed. “Well, I am.” He extended his business card.
Her eyes floated over the simple, clean, and masculine font. “Rhodes Bishop,” she said. “Why do you want to talk to him? You want to go on a date with him too?”
He couldn’t read that woman, which gave him a certain kind of thrill—the chase, the challenge, much like taking ownership of the land in the town. “If I recall, you’re the one who asked me on a date first. I was just following up. But no, I won’t be asking Billie Fisher on a date.” He chuckled.
Her eyebrow arched. “Then what do you want with him?”
Rhodes straightened, trying to read her angle. “It’s about the resort being built. I’d like to talk to Billie, the owner of this fine establishment about the property.” He held her eyes and the confusion turned into amusement. She was playing with him.
“Yes.” He was sure she’d meant to say it firmly. Instead, it came out all swoony and drooly like she was staring at a slice of that coconut cream key lime pie in the dessert case after being stranded on a deserted island for a month. But she was staring at him and she’d say yes.
“Yes?” he repeated. “Yes to the date or you’ll go get Billie Fisher so we can have a word.”
She leveled him with a glare. “Billie Fisher, huh? Well, that would be me, Rhodes Bishop.” She didn’t smile. She wasn’t joking.
The smirk faded from his lips.
Chapter 3
Billie
If Billie had been off-kilter earlier in the week when word had traveled across the coconut wire in her small town that an investor had been sniffing around, interested in building a resort—not to mention the restaurant was struggling—Betty’s dare for her to ask the most attractive man Billie had ever laid eyes on out on a date had completely derailed her.
The afternoon they’d first met and the following days she’d done little more than forget to reorder items that were out of stock, and she’d missed an important meeting with a woman who sold kitchen appliances—they needed a new dessert display or to just get rid of the old one and keep the pies in a different refrigerator. Not to mention she’d slipped up on orders and was almost late again after sleeping through her alarm clock, which she’d never before needed to use. She decided to keep a toothbrush in her office in case she ever had to literally jump out of bed and run to the restaurant again. Thankfully, Alvin and Elmer didn’t seem to notice she was disheveled that particular day.
But when Billie had received Rhodes Bishop’s business card and made the connection that The Suit—as all the girls had taken to calling him—was none other than the man who wanted to level their town and replace it with a resort, she would’ve liked to tell him where he could take his resort plans, but her fine establishment was a family restaurant so she held her tongue. She couldn’t stop replaying the scene in her head. She’d wanted to make a grand exit, but a flurry of people that were exiting barred her way.
Instead, she’d felt his gaze on her, appraising her, surprised perhaps that she was Billie Fisher the owner of Coconut Cove Café. It wasn’t the first time someone had mistook her for a man. In fact, if she ever had a daughter, she’d name her Frankie, after her father because he was the best person she’d ever known. Betty was a close second until the stupid dare.
She’d asked Rhodes Bishop, real estate developer, destroyer of towns, and who for all intents and purposes was her mortal enemy, given his grand plans, on a date.
She’d refused to meet those dark eyes of his, but in the days since their confrontation, she couldn’t get them out of her mind. She didn’t have time for The Suit nor did she have an interest, now that she knew who he was. Yet, she couldn’t stop thinking about him.
After yet another flub on the dining room floor, she tossed her apron on the counter and turned on her heel. Her fury grew at his nerve to try to date one of the employees of the restaurant that he was sure to soon put out of business. But she was almost more upset with herself because he’d taken up residence in her thoughts just as he did the portable office building on the north side of town.
According to Alvin and Elmer, the Bishop Corporation drove into small coastal towns and plowed them to sea level before erecting luxury resorts that none of the locals could afford to visit. Sure, in Billie’s deepest fantasies, she longed for a day relaxing on the beach or even taking a vacation, but not at the expense of an entire community.
She wanted to tear up, crumble, or throw his business card back in his face, but she hoped never to see him again. Pulling it out of her pocket, she gripped it tightly, allowing the sharp corners to poke the skin of her palm if only to remind her he was the enemy and not the hunky stud in the suit who’d said yes to her request to go on a date. Her, Billie Fisher, who’d missed dating in high school because she was always working, who didn’t go to college because she was carrying on the family legacy, and who was well into her thirties with no prospects on the horizon despite Betty’s insistence she find a nice fella.
Along with her relaxation fantasy, she also had one that included true love with a happily ever after, but that was unlikely given her circumstances and the risk it would take for her to allow herself to feel that way. It came at too high a cost. The temptation of his perfect ten good looks and smooth confidence was real. She instantly hated that he woke that up in her because she was married to the Coconut Cove Café. End of story.
Billie disappeared into the kitchen. She continued past the cook, the prep area, the walk-in fridge, and out the back door. It was still warm out, even after the sunset. The walk-in would’ve cooled her off, but she needed to breathe fresh air. She needed the soothing sea. She needed her father.
But all she had was the restaurant and her friends.
She turned her gaze from the ocean to the land. At the end of the dock a very tall, muscular, and good-looking man walked past, thankfully not stopping. She’d never had to throw out a customer, but she wouldn’t hesitate to start that day. He had the good sense to continue on down the boardwalk, probably going to the Shake Shack to woo one of the workers before kicking over the building and planting a flag, declaring it his own.
Much to her dismay, she was sure that wasn’t the last she’d be seeing of Rhodes Bishop.
When Billie was finally able to bring herself to go back inside, the restaurant had settled down. All the employees got several breaks throughout their shifts, but she rarely took one. It wasn’t entirely because she was a control freak and wanted to make sure everything ran smoothly at the restaurant, and she knew it didn’t set a good example, but the truth was, most days if she allowed herself to stop moving, she would lose momentum. She was often so tired, if she stopped, she wouldn’t be able to get back up. However, if she just stayed moving, she would make it through the day.
Betty gingerly stepped over to her. “Any updates on The Suit? Did he change his mind about the date? Or postpone it? He’s very handsome in a commanding kind of way.” Betty smirked because her husband had been in the military and apparently, she had a thing for the strong silent type.
Only Rhodes wasn’t silent. He marked his territory all over the country by buying up businesses and land and developing monstrosities for vacationers.
She shook her head. “No. There’s no date. Not the other day. Not today. Not ever.”
“Why ever not?” Betty asked. “You hardly have a life outside the Café. You could let your hair down. Live a little. Maybe fall in love. The summer isn’t over yet.”
“Betty, because I’m busy. Not to mention The Suit is the guy who wants to take over our town.”
“Well, he did bring back Coco’s bunny.”
“What? Did he take that too? That thief in his custom-tailored suit is no better than a common criminal.”
“He returned the bunny. You can ask Eisley what it’s like to hug him. She was overcome with joy.” Betty winked. “I’d say he’s captured so
mething of yours,” she emphasized. “These last few days, you’ve seemed to be a bit preoccupied.”
“Captured something of mine? Yeah, he’d like the deed to my property to build his luxurious resort,” Billie singsonged.
“As far as I know he hasn’t taken anything yet, dear. He found the bunny on the beach.” Betty’s tone was gentle. “Maybe he’s not as ruthless as he seems.”
Billie wasn’t upset with her but remained quiet the rest of the evening while they closed down and prepared for the next shift the following Monday. Betty was right, Billie was preoccupied and she merely offered a wave as they parted ways at the end of the dock. Billie returned home.
Another night spread out long as Billie lay in bed contemplating the rumors about the resort, her encounter with The Suit, and the trouble the restaurant was in.
The next day, she dragged herself to church and left feeling refreshed and connected to her Lord and Savior. Then she stopped at the restaurant to gather up items for the weekly meals she brought to residents of Blue Bay Beach that were in need of support. Betty dubbed it Coconut Cove Special Delivery and the name had stuck.
First, she had a few items to do in the office at the restaurant. Even though it was officially closed on Sundays, she always went in, prepared for the week ahead, tended to the books, and the other administrative tasks common to restaurant owners. Truly, it was her second home and she enjoyed being there when it was brimming with people as much as she did when she had the place to herself.
After balancing the books and figuring out the weekly order she called in on Tuesdays, she leaned back in the ancient swivel chair that still had the indentation from her father. She sighed.
The Coconut Cove Café was so named because after Frank Fisher came ashore after five years in the Navy, he rambled into Blue Bay Beach in his brand-new Chevy Bel Air in a shiny shade of seafoam green. It was one of the hottest and most humid summer days on record. He was so eager to get to where the white sand beach met the crystal-clear water, he didn’t notice the coconut falling from the palm tree. It came close to bonking him on the head, which may have resulted in a concussion, and instead glanced off his shoulder. It still hurt, but it also gave him an idea. He dove right into the water and decided he’d never leave that oasis even if he had to live off coconuts.
After becoming fully enchanted by the then even smaller town, and a young woman who lived there by the name of Priscilla, they fell in love, got married, and decided to open a restaurant. But to keep safe from falling fruit or was it a nut? (Experts argued about exactly what plant family the coconut belonged to.) And because Frank loved the water, he built the dock and then the restaurant over it so every customer had a view of the ocean.
He and Priscilla poured their hearts and souls into the restaurant. Because it had been inspired by the plentiful coconuts in the area, they started adding the ingredient to a lot of their menu items. The Bimini bread was Priscilla’s specialty and had a soft, lightly sweet flavor with a hint of coconut. They also had coconut shrimp, coconut encrusted onion rings, and of course, the famous coconut key lime pie—that was Betty’s addition. Along with the Bimini bread, it lived on, while Billie’s mother, Priscilla, had not.
Things weren’t in a good state, but Billie couldn't figure out a solution to saving the place by remaining still, idle. As much as she wanted to go home and escape into a rom-com or Hallmark movie—she was a secret sucker for sweet romance and happy endings—she did her best thinking on her feet.
As she strolled down the hall leading from the office, she straightened one of the framed photos of her dad and mom on the wall. There were others of them with famous celebrities and singers. The Coconut Cove Café had been a place where people, no matter how famous or important, could rely on a delicious meal, great service, and being treated, well, normal. There were even a few photos on the wall of Billie in pigtails—one on her father’s shoulders, another with a few members of the Beatles and Rolling Stones, and another with Dolly Parton. Billie smiled and the upturn of her lips felt rare, stiff almost. It had been a while since she’d truly smiled. Dad had loved music. Her smile grew as she realized that Betty always tuned the station to the oldies, probably in Frank’s honor. He and Gus, Betty’s husband, had been good friends.
There were plenty of new people and businesses in town since Frank’s day, but so much also remained the same. The tight-knit community, the friendliness, and the way everyone could rely on each other when life got tough. Billie had never lived anywhere else but imagined those qualities were unique to Blue Bay Beach. Those thoughts carried Billie through her food deliveries to a single mother, a widow, the homebound, and several others who’d hit hard times or needed a helping hand. Coconut Cove Special Delivery was weekly and it was the least she could do.
As she passed the restaurant with its sagging thatched roof, the dock in need of repair, and several other updates that she’d kept putting off, she didn’t want to admit that she needed a helping hand too.
As much as she wanted to flop on the couch, she resisted. Instead, she tied on her running shoes and beat out her helpless and hopeless thoughts as her feet pounded against the sand. The sun was still a while from setting, but backlit by its rays, the silhouette of a well-built man approached, also running, but from the opposite direction.
Her stomach fluttered. Even though her anger toward him and what he stood for was as thorny as a rose stem, she couldn’t deny her attraction. But she shoved the notion away, not willing to risk it and be left with bloody hands and a bleeding heart in the process. The thing was, he was as good looking in a suit as he was in athletic gear.
Chapter 4
Rhodes
Rhodes could usually turn off his mind the moment his feet hit the ground when he went out for a run. It was his form of meditation, shutting out the billion and one tasks he had to attend to—one of his buddies coined it hashtag billionaire problems—and focusing on the rhythm of his breath. Usually, if he was experiencing a problem, the solution would rise into that open space in his mind and he’d come away sweaty but resolved.
Most of the time it worked. But the last days spent in Blue Bay Beach a slender figure with blond hair filled the spot in his mind—even in place of the irksome bother of the continued resistance that he was receiving from the zoning board.
Then there she was, running toward him. He could’ve stopped by the restaurant and asked her why she was so upset, what he’d done to offend her, but he knew. He was the uptight alpha with the corporation, the enemy. She was, well, she seemed uptight too, but in a beachy, laid back kind of way if such a thing were possible.
Rhodes wasn’t used to a woman telling him no or that she wasn’t interested. In fact, it had never happened before.
He slowed to a jog as she came fully into focus, wearing a blue Miami Riptide hat that reminded him of her bright eyes. Her skin glistened from exertion and her tank top clung to her curves. Her cheeks were flushed a perfect shade of pink.
He swallowed back the fire that built inside whenever he was in her presence, another rarity. Sure, he was a guy who felt an attraction to beautiful women, but she was different. In front of him, yet somehow out of reach. She wasn’t like the other women who typically threw themselves at him. She was definitely unique.
“Well, hello neighbor,” he said, stopping in front of her.
She looked like she wanted to dart past, but the way her blue eyes sparkled as they drifted over him suggested she struggled with her own desire.
His wide stance took up all of the hardpack sand between the waterline and the fluffy, powdery sand, which he saved for his early morning runs before the heat of the day took hold.
Her brows formed an inverted V as though she was not pleased to see him—or at least tried to convince herself as much because there was no denying her body reacted when she was around him.
“Neighbor?” she spat, but at the same time, she inhaled sharply then coughed. She turned away from him, coughing and clutching
her throat. A ring glinted on the fourth finger of her right hand. Strange, he hadn’t even noticed that she was engaged. Maybe that was what had set her off? Then again, why would she have asked him out if she was already in a relationship?
“Billie,” he said, nearing her. “Are you okay?”
Her cheeks were red and her eyes watered. She tried to swallow then started coughing again. “I think a bug went down the wrong pipe,” she rasped.
“Can I get you anything?” Concern laced his voice. “Some water?” He eyed the ocean.
They were on the edge of town, away from the shops and the Shake Shack on the other end of the beach. A mansion Rhodes had been avoiding since he’d arrived loomed on the other side of the narrow road that ran parallel to the water—Mansion Mile.
She continued to cough.
“Come on, I know the person who lives there. We can get you something to drink.” He gestured to one of the mansions.
Her shoulders were rounded as she continued to sputter a cough every few moments. He wrapped his arm around her back to support her as she walked. Something black and lacy stuck to her shirt like Velcro—it must’ve happened in the clothes dryer from static cling. It appeared as if a pair of her underwear got stuck to the clingy athletic fabric of her shirt. He tried not to smile. He knew she’d be okay once she got a drink of water, but there was no sense in embarrassing her when she was already having a tough time.
He caught her beachy coconut and vanilla scent and breathed deep despite his better judgment. She stumbled in the sand as her body shuddered with another harsh cough.
He gripped her waist and suddenly felt an itch inside, being so close to her. However, it wasn’t something he could easily, or ever, scratch. Especially not if she said no. And especially because Rhodes was perpetually single by choice. He dated but didn’t want to end up like his father, at least not in the relationship department. What Martin Rhodes lacked in love, he made up for in business sense. When Rhodes was a little boy, his father asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. His response? “I want to be just like you, Daddy.” He’d since made an amendment to that declaration, hence being a longtime bachelor. However, he’d show his father he was as capable when it came to investing in and building winning properties.