She was an adult and could do as she pleased without her family’s permission, but she also respected them. The Morettis and the Prescotts had been rivals for years, to the point that the townspeople had to declare sides when choosing where to eat. Was it ridiculous? Absolutely. A feud started back in the late sixties over who opened their doors first and whose lobster roll was better, but as ridiculous as it all was, it was also the reality.
Morettis and Prescotts were the modern-day version of the Montagues and Capulets. If she and Lucas pursued anything, it would only end in heartbreak. Their families would never stop fighting, she’d been trying to end the feud for years, and she and Lucas would just become fodder the two men threw back and forth. That was a situation—no matter how good-looking and sweet Lucas was—she had no desire to get involved in.
“How do you know that boy?” her grandfather asked, his accent heavy with disgust.
She turned from the window. “We met on the bus ride home last night.”
“You stay away from him. Prescotts are trouble.”
She closed her eyes, trying to let the disappointment pass before she spoke. When she opened her eyes, her grandfather’s attention was fixated on her. She offered a smile to appease him. “Don’t worry. Now that I know who he is, I have nothing left to say to him.”
“Good girl,” he said, walking toward her with open arms. She stepped into his embrace, and he smacked a loud kiss on her cheek. “Now do me a favor and take this delivery to Wilson. His wife had chemo today, and I’m sure they both could use a little something to eat.”
Despite his earlier antics, her grandfather was a good man who looked out for the people he loved. Wilson and his wife were practically family, and Ella had known them since birth. She hated that they were going through such a hard time but was happy she and her grandfather could find little ways to help them out.
“I don’t have my bike,” she said, remembering Marco made her leave it behind yesterday.
“It’s in the bed of my truck,” Enzo said as he walked in. His tall frame dominated the small space. He was the tallest of the Moretti men, making people wonder if he was actually related to them, but he got his height from their mother’s side. Her father had been six-four. He also got her blue eyes.
His thick, dark brown hair was swept back showing the textures of his natural waves. Dark stubble dotted the hard lines around his jaw and mouth. He was stylish without any effort, and Ella always told him he could have been a model which he laughed at. He’d prefer to throw back a few beers and watch football than pose for a camera.
“Thanks,” Ella said. “I wasn’t going to bother you until later.”
“I had to drop something off at Marco’s anyway. Figured I’d kill two birds with one stone.”
“I guess I can make that delivery after all,” she said, taking the bag from her grandfather.
“I’ll walk you out,” Enzo said.
If he was following her, it meant only one thing; Marco told him about her mystery guy.
“Save the lecture,” Ella said as they walked outside.
“Who said anything about a lecture?”
Ella tilted her head and raised an eyebrow. “If they gave degrees in lectures you’d be out of wall space to display them.”
“Look, I want to make sure you’re okay. I know after you go see him it can be a little rough on you.” His blue eyes took her in, softening beneath the midday sun.
“I’m okay,” she assured him.
“You sure?”
“I’m sure.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose. “I don’t know why you subject yourself to that shit.”
“Because he’s our dad, Enz.”
“He stopped being our father the minute he disgraced the family name.”
“Maybe for you. And I had enough of this conversation with Marco, so let’s move on.”
They continued walking down the boardwalk to the parking lot where Enzo’s truck was. Enzo was quiet which wasn’t like him at all, and Ella assumed he was waiting for a moment to pry.
Finally, he swung his gaze to her. “Marco told me you met a guy on the bus.”
“And there we go,” she announced.
Enzo laughed. “I’m looking out for you.”
“I know you are, but trust me, you don’t have to.”
“You’re my baby sister. Of course I do.”
“That’s not what I meant.” She shook her head, still not fully able to comprehend it all. “It’s over.”
“That was fast. Was he an asshole?” Enzo stabbed two fingers into his chest. “Do I have to kick his ass?”
“Not an asshole. He’s actually a pretty great guy.”
Confusion flashed across Enzo’s features. “Then what’s the problem?”
“He has the wrong last name.”
Enzo’s dark brow curved upward. “I don’t get it.”
“Turns out he’s Joe Prescott’s grandson.”
Enzo’s eyes widened in amusement, his lips curving up a little too much. “You’re shitting me?”
“Do I look like I’m shitting you?”
Enzo laughed, and Ella punched him in his stomach which felt like hitting a brick wall. She shook her hand out. “It’s not funny.”
“Oh, that’s where you’re wrong, it’s freaking hilarious.”
“Are you done?” she asked.
“Not even close.”
“Laugh all you want, but I have a delivery to make.”
“Why don’t you take the truck?” Enzo said, fishing his keys out of his pocket.
She shook her head. “After my morning, I could use the fresh air.”
“Suit yourself. Just be careful.”
If Enzo had his way she’d be not only wearing a helmet but knee pads and elbow pads, possibly wrapped in bubble wrap as well.
“I always am.”
“And stay clear of that guy. You might think he’s good, but if he’s related to Joe, he can’t be all that good.”
She placed the bag of food in her front basket then kicked her leg over the seat. She turned in the direction she needed to go and gave Enzo a wave as she passed.
He called out to her, “It’s better this way!”
His words got lost to the cool breeze as she pedaled faster. Better or not, it still felt like the world was playing a cruel joke on her.
She passed the first strip of buildings, and as she was about to pass over the cobblestone street she heard her name. She hit the brakes and turned her head only to see Lucas jogging after her. He moved with effortless grace as if a fast-paced jog was nothing more than a leisurely walk.
“I told you to leave me alone,” she said as he came to a stop in front of her bike, the words burning her throat as they came out.
“No, you told me to go back to my side of the boardwalk, which I did, but now there’s no boardwalk, so you can’t draw any lines on me.”
“I don’t know what you want from me.”
“I want you to forget about our last names for a second.”
“It’s not that easy.” If it was, she wouldn’t have dismissed him the way she did. She would have tossed her arms around him and laughed about how small the world really was.
“Yes, it is,” he said.
“No, it’s not. You’ve been here for what? A day? You have no idea what it’s like between our grandfathers. They despise the ground the other walks on. It’s not just some silly feud that started yesterday. This rivalry, the hatred, started decades ago and it’s only grown since.”
“We’re both adults here,” Lucas said, obviously trying to level with her.
“I know that but—”
“Hey.” He rested his hand on hers, and warmth shot through her arm, a trail of goosebumps following and happily popping up along the way. She met his gaze—bright gorgeous blue that she knew if she’d let herself, she could get lost in. “Just one date. No one needs to know about it. But just like yesterday, when I got off that bus and I asked you
out for coffee before you turned me down—”
“I had to get home.”
“I know. But I knew then if I didn’t ask you out I would regret it, and I know right now if we don’t at least give this a shot I won’t just regret it; I’ll forever wonder what could’ve been.”
“If my grandfather finds out… Even my brothers…”
“No one has to know. Not yet. It’s just me and you. Let’s find out if this thing between us could be something, then we’ll worry. Until then, I’m just asking for a cup of coffee.”
It seemed innocent enough. And she couldn’t help but agree with him. If she didn’t give this a chance, she’d always wonder. The spark that she felt, the unexplainable excitement that ripped through her stomach every time his name flashed on her phone, it wasn’t something she could let go. Like he said, not yet at least.
“Fine,” she said. “We can have coffee together.”
His eyes lit up, a cute smile pulling wide across his handsome face. “Really?”
“But we can’t be seen. I can’t risk my family finding out. Or your grandfather for that matter.”
“So what do you suggest?”
“Meet me at the beach by the lighthouse at six o’clock.”
“The lighthouse?” he asked.
“I’m sure you can find it. Big building at the end of the cove. Has a light on it.”
He laughed. “Smartass. I’ll be there.”
“Good, it’s a ten-minute walk from here.”
His eyes twinkled with amusement. “I think I can handle that. You sure it’s safe.”
“Yeah,” she said. “Not many locals hang out that close to the lighthouse.”
“Okay, I’ll see you then.”
“And by the way,” she said, “I take my coffee with a splash of half and half and a sprinkle of cinnamon.”
She gave him a wink and rode away, hoping she didn’t make a big mistake.
Chapter 7
Lucas told Joe he was going out for a walk to clear his head after a day of trying to make sense of his finances. He wanted to give himself and Ella a real shot before their family drama could dictate what happened next.
He walked along the cobblestone streets, making note of all the different storefronts and was happy when he came across a coffee shop. He stepped into The Local Bean, the smell of fresh brew engulfing him, and made his way to the counter.
“Hi there,” the woman behind the counter said. Her platinum blonde hair sat in waves just above her shoulders and her brown eyes were warm and friendly. “What can I get you today?”
“I would like two coffees. One iced black and the other hot with a splash of half and half and a sprinkle of cinnamon.”
The woman gave him a curious glance before typing his order into the register. “Is that it?”
“That’s it,” he said.
“Coming right up.”
She turned away from the counter, and Lucas checked his phone, scanning through his emails to make sure there were no fires at work he’d have to put out. Leo and Brian were right. It seemed everything was running smoothly, and his team was handling anything that was thrown their way. He had hired each one of them, working with them and filtering out the people he didn’t see going the distance. He needed to trust that they had everything under control, but it was hard for him to step away completely. He dedicated the past few years to getting the business up and running and he imagined it was what parents with newborns felt like when they left the baby for the first time over night.
“You from around here?” she asked as she sprinkled cinnamon onto Ella’s coffee.
“California.”
“A Cali boy. What brings you to our little town?”
“Family. My grandfather.” He didn’t offer up Joe’s name. He didn’t know what side this woman was on, and he wasn’t about to open a can of worms.
“Are you staying long?”
“A couple weeks for now.”
She put the lid on Ella’s coffee, poured his, and slid them across the counter. She smiled at him and gave him the total.
He handed her a twenty and waited for his change.
“Don’t be a stranger now,” she said as she placed his change in his hand.
“I won’t.”
He took the coffees, but before he turned away, he stopped. “Do you know the fastest way to get to the lighthouse?” he asked.
Her perfectly shaped eyebrow lifted. “The lighthouse, you say?”
“Yeah, I know it’s on the north end of town about ten minutes away…”
“You walking?”
“I am,” he said. He thought about renting a car when he arrived, but everything seemed to be within walking distance, and he still had Frank’s card in his pocket if he needed to go farther.
“Just take the main road straight down,” she said, pointing toward the street. “Stay in the bike lane, and you should be okay. The entrance to the beach will be on your left-hand side. Obviously if you pass the lighthouse, you’ve gone too far.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.”
“Any time. You have a good evening.”
“You too.”
Ella was right. It was about ten minutes from start to finish. He spotted the entrance to the beach and made his way down the sandy path. The path was narrow but opened up the farther he got and as the sound of the waves crashing against the shore grew louder, the path opened up completely.
He took in the water and the sky, both extending infinitely into the horizon. The smell of salt hung in the air and a cool breeze caused his shirt to ripple across his chest. It was a little warmer than the night before, so he decided to leave his jacket behind. He hoped his California warm-blooded self wouldn’t regret it.
He shifted his gaze toward the white lighthouse with a red top. It stood proudly over the water and its attached station—a white structure with red accents to match.
“You found me,” Ella said and he turned to her voice.
She stood behind him, wind blowing her hair, her cheeks rosy from the slight chill and a smile on her face. She gazed out toward the lighthouse before catching his eyes.
“Is one of those for me?” she asked, pointing to the cups.
“Yes.” He handed her the coffee, and she accepted it gratefully, bringing it to her nose and taking a deep inhale. “You know, I usually don’t drink coffee after five.”
“What happens when you do?” he asked.
“Can’t sleep.”
He smiled. “I’ll keep you company.”
“I can’t stay out too late or my grandfather will have the whole town looking for me.”
“Why don’t I doubt that?”
She poked his arm. “I’m guessing you’re a fast learner.” She spun away from him and walked down the beach. He followed. “So,” she said, coming to a stop and spinning back to him, “you got me here on this coffee date. What’s the plan?”
“I don’t have one. I just wanted to see you again.”
Her eyebrows rose. “Does that line work on all the girls?”
“I wouldn’t know. I’ve never used it on anyone else before.”
Her teeth slid over her lip, the edges of her mouth pulling free and curving upward. “I’m going to take that as a compliment because I don’t think you’re lying.”
“I’m not, but even if I was, how would you know?” he asked, curious to see how her mind worked.
“I’ve been lied to a lot in my life. Eventually you pick up on things. Tell signs that give a person away almost instantly. You, my friend, are free of those signs.” She patted his chest, and he placed his hand on hers, trapping it against him.
She sucked in a startled breath, raising her gaze to his.
“I’ve been lied to a lot, too,” he said. “Mainly by my own father.”
“Mine too.” Her words were a mere whisper that he could just make out over the crashing waves. Hurt etched her eyes; a deep sadness dulled her beautiful brown irises.
He
didn’t say anything else, but he felt like he didn’t have to. The exchange in their eyes said enough—an unspoken agreement to never lie to each other. He had no idea where this was going, but he could honor that vow for however long she wanted him around.
A strand of hair broke free of her ponytail and danced across her face. Unable to help himself, he reached out, tucking it back into place. His hand lingered for a moment, wondering what it would be like to cup her cheek and pull her in for a kiss. Would she taste like her coffee? Sweet with a little touch of spice? Would she take control or surrender to him?
Above a seagull squawked, and Ella turned her attention out to the water. “Want to walk?” she asked.
“Sure.”
She headed toward the lighthouse, and he fell in step beside her. “This is my favorite place in the whole town so you should feel special that I’m sharing it with you.”
“What can I say? I feel honored. What makes this place your favorite? I mean there’s an ice cream stand that looks like an actual cup of ice cream that’s pretty darn special.”
Ella laughed. “Don’t poke fun. My best friend actually owns Scoops.”
“Really?”
She nodded. “Yup.”
“The one you do Taco Tuesday with?”
She looked as if she couldn’t believe he remembered such a tiny detail. “Yeah, as a matter of fact. Or at least one of them. There are two. Krissy and Cami are the best. Cami owns The Local Bean where you got this coffee, good choice by the way, it’s the best, and Krissy owns Scoops. Her great aunt left it to her.”
“That was nice.”
“Her aunt knew out of everyone in their family Krissy was the only one who wouldn’t sell it as soon as she was buried.”
“Which she didn’t,” he assumed.
“Nope. It’s been hers for three years now, and she loves it.”
“I’ll have to stop by and have a cone. I’d invite you along, but I wouldn’t want to risk anyone seeing us.” He gently nudged her shoulder as she was about to take a sip of her coffee.
She froze mid sip and glanced up at him. “It’s just how it has to be.”
“I get it.” In the beginning he didn’t, but after witnessing their grandfathers going head-to-head, he was starting to understand.
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