by Doreen Alsen
“Yes.” She beamed at him like a lighthouse. “Your neighbor, the one who works at the Sea Crest.”
Sweet Jesus, save him. “Aren’t you afraid she’s going to spill your food all over you and break your best china?”
“She won’t be doing the serving, so the china is safe.” Rolling her eyes, Beth crossed her arms across her chest. “She’s nice and you’re lonely.”
“I’m not lonely.”
“You are too lonely. And a hermit. It’s not healthy, Tim. Besides, she’s new in town and doesn’t have a friend except for you. Bring her over to dinner.” Beth laid her hand on his arm. “It’s not as if you’re asking her to marry you.”
Jesus. Just the thought of marrying someone when he had this shit storm going on in his head, day and night“I can take care of my own love life.”
“I’m sure you can. I’m not talking about a love life. I’m talking about bringing a nice woman, whom you like, whom we like, to dinner at our house. Nothing fancy. I’m thinking burgers on the grill, that kind of thing.”
“I don’t know.”
Beth cleared her throat. “Tim. Ask Angie and bring her to our house for a meal. Just simple hamburgers, some salt and pepper corn, some potato salad.” She shrugged. “I’ll throw in blueberry tarts from Julie’s Coffee and Sweet Shop for dessert.” Beth raised and lowered her eyebrows. “You know you want them.”
Tim shook his head. She wasn’t going to give up until he gave in. “Okay, okay. You’ve worn me down.”
Beth bounced on the balls of her feet and her hands clapped twice. “And you’ll bring Angie?”
“If she’ll come.” He had no idea if Angie wanted to get to know his friends over a simple cookout.
A wish, sudden and unwelcome, descended on him. He really hoped she’d say yes. A normal night, doing normal things, with normal people.
He was amazed at how much he wanted it, how much he craved it. He’d be much better off alone. Nothing about his life was even in the same zip code as normal.
Angie would be much better off without him.
“She will.” Beth nodded. “I’ve got a real good feeling about you two.”
“It’s a cookout, Beth. Don’t make it more than that.”
“It’s a step forward, a big step forward that you need to take.” Beth gave him a gentle smile. “Relax and enjoy it.”
“You know, I wasn’t kind to you back in school. I didn’t know who you were. All I knew was that you were willing to write the extra credit papers Jeff and I needed to give the chorus teacher, so she’d pass us and make us eligible to play football again.”
“You called me the music geek.”
Tim winced. “You knew? I’m sorry. It wasn’t one of my finer moments.”
“No, it wasn’t, but you were young and stupid and blind to all my superior qualities.” She chuckled. “Fortunately for you I’m a forgiving woman. Forgiveness is a beautiful thing.”
“I don’t deserve it.”
She touched his arm. “You deserve it more than most people. Now go and ask that beautiful woman to come over to our house for a simple, no-strings-attached cookout.”
He sighed.
“I mean it. Shoo. And don’t take no for an answer.”
“Jeff’s a lucky guy, you know that?”
“I remind him of it every day. Go away.”
“You didn’t used to be this pushy.”
“I didn’t used to be a lot of things. People do survive all sorts of stuff and go on to live happy lives.”
Tim longed for that with all his heart, but didn’t hold out much hope.
But he’d ask Angie to go to a cookout at his best friend’s house. And he thought she just might agree.
Chapter Fourteen
“A cookout at your friend’s house?”
“Yeah. It’s no big. Burgers and such.”
Angelique had never been to a friendly neighborhood cookout in her life. “They invited me?”
“I do think that if I don’t bring you, Beth will march over here and rectify my mistake.”
“She sounds like a tyrant.” What if Tim’s friend followed fashion? Angelique was already panicked about reporters running all over the Sea Crest Inn. How could she find out before she accepted the invitation?
Tim’s eyes softened. “She’s the best person in the world.”
Angelique thought of her sister-in-law Hope. Also on the top ten list for best person in the world.
A list that Angelique which would never, ever be on.
“So will you come with me?”
“I don’t know. What if I have nothing in common with them?”
“They’re not that hard to get along with. Jeff is the high school football coach and Beth is a piano teacher and the organist at the Catholic church.”
Huh. She didn’t think a church organist would be that into fashion. Maybe she should take a chance.
Any excuses she could come up with felt so lame, even to her. Besides, she wanted to spend time with Tim. That’s what breakfast the other day had been about. “When does she want us to come?”
“She didn’t let me know, because she wants to make sure you’re not working so you can come.”
Oh, really. “Any evening is good. I work mornings and afternoons.” Unless she called in sick while the press was crawling all over the Sea Crest Inn.
He cleared his throat. “I’ll let Beth know and get back to you.”
“Sounds great.” And about that Beth. “You’re very fond of her.”
He looked puzzled.
“Beth, I mean.”
“I am.” He stared at the floor. “She’s made my best friend the happiest man in the world. They had a long, hard road to get to where they are now.”
Lucien and Hope also had trouble getting to the happiness they shared now. Her cheeks heated up at the thought of how she nearly ruined it for them.
But she hadn’t really ruined it. Nothing could have ruined Hope and Lucien coming together. They were meant to be.
She’d just wanted to get her way and be a supermodel. She’d been selfish, petty, and just all around nasty.
And now she was so tired of being that. Of being tormented by all her past mistakes.
She’d take the risk. Time to go to a cookout and hang out with Tim’s friends. It might be awkward, it might be off the charts uncomfortable, they may recognize her, whatever.
She was all in.
****
What do you bring to a cookout? Angelique didn’t have the first clue.
She probably should have done some research online. As much as she knew about un-catered meals, she knew that she should offer to make something.
“I should bring something.”
Tim shook his head. “No. Beth’s got it all under control. She’s amazing that way.”
Angelique felt something in her stomach tickle uncomfortably. “Were you in love with her?”
A strange emotion crossed his face. Why could she never figure him out?
“Never. I was too full of myself back then. Totally clueless. Besides, she was always Jeff’s.”
“They look very happy.”
“They are. They deserve it.” He rubbed his hand over his chin. “What would you want to bring them?”
“Maybe wine? Flowers?”
“Flowers.” He nodded. “Beth likes them.”
“Okay. I’ll stop by Flowers in Bloom and pick something up. Do you know what she likes?”
He hitched up one shoulder. “I think Inge at the flower shop might know.”
“Sounds good.”
He leaned in and kissed her, a soft, sweet brush of his lips. “I’ll come fetch you around four. They eat early because of Danny and Cookie.” He snapped his fingers. “Actually, a little something for the two kids might be a good idea.”
Le bon Dieu, what did she know about gifts for children? “Like what?”
Tim’s brow furrowed. “I don’t know. Books, maybe?”
�
��What kind of books?”
He shrugged. “Kid’s books.”
“That clears things up.”
“Never mind. Flowers for Beth are enough. I’ll be by to pick you up later.” He leaned in and kissed her again.
“No problem. I’ll see you then.” It looked like there was a trip to Cliff Notes bookstore on her way home from work.
Tim smiled. “Count on it.” He bounded up the stairs to his house.
She touched her lips as she watched him go. He was so unpredictable and mysterious.
She liked that in a man. She was looking forward to uncovering his secrets.
****
“She’s nice,” Jeff said as he handed Tim a beer. “Pretty.”
Tim looked over to where Beth and Angelique were chatting at the picnic table in Jeff’s backyard. They’d bought the house right before they got married and were in the process of putting their personal touches on it. Beth was trying her hand at gardening, and she’d been ambitious so the flowerbeds were a riot of brightly colored flowers of every size and shape.
Jeff and Danny were in the process of building a tree house in the big maple tree in a corner of the fenced-in backyard.
At that moment, Danny played tug of war with Chester, Jeff presided over the grill, flipping the burgers, and Angelique and Beth still talked at the picnic table.
Angie looked particularly lovely, in a bright red dress and some high-heeled strappy sandals that did amazing things for her legs. His hands itched to touch her, to take off that sexy red dress and explore every inch of her body.
“Hey, Beth?” Jeff called.
“Yeah?”
“Burgers are about ready! Bring out the other stuff.”
Beth stood and gave him a jaunty salute and tapped Cookie on the shoulder. Angie stood as well and followed them into the house.
“What’s her story?” Jeff slid some split hamburger buns on the upper rack of the gas grill.
“Hmmm?”
“What’s Angie’s story?” He waved the spatula in a circle. “Where’s she from, that kind of thing.”
“Oh.” Tim hesitated, as he didn’t know what to say. “From the south, obviously. New Orleans, specifically.”
“How’d she end up here in Lobster Cove? It’s a long way from the Big Easy.”
Tim rubbed the back of his neck. “I think it’s that she needed a break, a change of scene. She says she’s in between jobs.”
Jeff chuckled. “Well, you can’t get further from New Orleans than Lobster Cove.”
“That’s for sure.” Tim took a pull on his beer.
The women returned with heaping bowls of food, potato salad, a monster-sized green salad, and steaming ears of corn. “Danny!” Beth said while she put a bowl on the table, “Go wash up!”
“’Kay.” The kid raced into the house. Chester looked clearly bereft, but then he brought his rope toy to Tim.
“Sorry buddy. I’m not touching that.”
Jeff nudged him. “C’mon.”
Tim followed him to the table and took a seat next to Angie. She gave him a gentle smile. He smiled back. He couldn’t help it.
She had a lovely smile. He found it quite compelling.
His heart beat a little faster. He had to remember that he was no good for her.
No matter how much he didn’t want to.
****
“Your friends are nice. I like them.” And didn’t that surprise Angelique.
She hadn’t thought she’d have anything in common with a homebody church organist and piano teacher, but she had. And she really liked Beth’s son Danny and Tim’s daughter Cookie.
Who knew she liked kids? She certainly hadn’t.
“The boy is a handful. I got worn out just watching him,” she told him.
“He seems to have gotten more than his share of energy. But I remember being like that as a kid. Why walk when you can run?”
She laughed. “Anyway, I had a very good time.”
“I’m glad.”
She waited for him to say more, but he didn’t.
So they walked in companionable silence. Angelique liked it, not having to fill the air with conversation. Usually, she felt antsy when the talking stopped.
He looked at her. “Would you like to go sailing?”
“Go sailing?”
“Yeah. With me on my boat.”
Ouch. Sounded athletic, which she avoided at all costs, except for the damn yoga. “Is it dangerous?”
He laughed. “Of course it’s not dangerous. I wouldn’t ask you to come with me if it was. I’m a really good sailor.”
“Oh. How big is your boat again?” Maybe he had a big luxurious yacht and they could snack on caviar, chocolate-covered strawberries, and champagne.
“It’s a twenty-four-foot Melges.”
“Is that big?”
“It’s big enough. It gets the job done.”
She felt her face flush and get all tingly. “I don’t know anything about boats. I’m sorry.”
He sniffed. “I’m the one who should be sorry. I shouldn’t tease you. Look. I’m talking about a short sail to Bar Island, have a picnic, then head home.”
Her interest perked up. A picnic. She liked picnics as much as the next person.
Especially if they included chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne. “A picnic sounds fun.”
“It’ll be great. When’s your next free afternoon?”
Angelique mentally went through her work schedule. “Wednesday, but let me double check.”
“You got it. It’ll be fun. Let me know and if I’m not home, just leave me a note in my mailbox.”
“Okay.”
He walked her to her front door. “Good night, Angie.”
“Thank you,” she could barely do more than whisper.
He kissed her and sensation zapped through her body.
He stopped the kiss and stepped away. “Let me know about Wednesday.”
“Okay. Good night.”
“Good night.” He backed down her front walk until he hit the sidewalk.
She sighed as she watched him fade into the night. If she wasn’t careful, she’d be halfway in love with him before it was too late.
What had happened to love ’em and leave ’em Angelique Durand? She didn’t recognize herself, but she started to like what she saw.
A gourmet picnic! A romantic boat ride to a beautiful island! How could this get any more perfect?
Chapter Fifteen
“Thanks, Sally.” Tim handed Sally Pelletier his credit card. “I appreciate it.”
“Let us know how it goes.” Sally rested her chin on her hands, which were steepled in front of her. “Don’t leave out a detail.”
Tim stopped and hung his head. “Sally.” He lifted his head up to look her in the eyes. “You know I don’t kiss and tell.”
“I do and it’s so frustrating! I have to imagine it all.”
Christ on a crutch. The thought of Sally having romantic fantasies about him just didn’t bear thinking about. “Go grab a Scarlette LaFlamme book.”
“I’ve read them all three times. The woman can’t write fast enough for me. Go,” she said. “Faint heart never won fair lady.”
“Bye Sally.” Tim hotfooted it out of Maggie’s Diner and breathed a sigh of relief. Sally could be a trial.
He’d already gotten the six-pack of Thunder Hole on ice.
It would go perfectly with the muffulettas he’d begged Maggie to make.
He headed to Julie’s Coffee and Sweet Shop for some of their lobster-shaped sugar cookies. He’d considered the blueberry tarts but he thought Angie would see and love the whimsy in the lobster-shaped cookies. They were finest kind.
Not to mention they had an inside joke about lobsters. He hoped they had lobster cookies decorated with red sprinkles.
Zombie cookies.
A nice sail, a simple informal picnic, it was going to be great!
Tim practically bounced home. They were going to h
ave a great day out on the water, a lovely time hiking the trails on the island, and then have an awesome lunch, featuring Maggie’s version of a muffuletta.
Taking a deep breath of the bracing sea tinged breeze, he marveled at the difference between the air in Lobster Cove and the air in Iraq.
He shoved all the vicious memories of Iraq as far away as he could. He was taking a beautiful, interesting woman on a boat ride.
He wouldn’t let anything ruin the day.
****
Angelique had chosen her fashion with care for going sailing. She thought she looked pretty cute in white capris, a navy blue and white wide striped boatneck sweater. She’d found the most adorable white canvas slip on espadrille wedges, on sale, no less. She really didn’t need another pair of shoes, but these babies were too cute to pass up. Besides that, she bought them with her own money. New shoes for a new life.
She’d pulled her hair into a high ponytail and pulled it through a navy blue ball-cap decorated with a red-beaded lobster.
She’d poked her one-carat emerald cut sapphire studs into her ears and looped Grand-mère’s gold locket around her neck. After she spritzed some Coco Mademoiselle on her wrists, cleavage, and behind her ears, she was all ready for an afternoon sipping champagne on Tim’s yacht.
She hummed “Anchors Aweigh” while she waited for Tim to pick her up. She resisted the urge to peek through the hedge separating their patios to catch a glimpse of him.
When had she ever waited for a man? Usually she let—no—she made the man wait. Just another new adjustment to her new life.
Or maybe it was simply Tim. So different from the men she usually dated.
Were they even dating? She supposed so, as they’d gone to dinner, they’d gone to a cookout at his best friend’s house, and now this afternoon.
They’d shared a couple of steamy kisses.
That constituted, to her way of thinking, dating.
“Angie.”
She saw Tim standing in front of her stairs. He wore a green polo shirt, Ralph Lauren logo, she noticed, well-worn jeans, and boat shoes without socks. His hair was already windblown and he smiled at her. Her heart skipped a beat or two.
Yum.