Sweet Talk Boxed Set (Ten NEW Contemporary Romances by Bestselling Authors to Benefit Diabetes Research plus BONUS Novel) (129 page)

“I am.”

“Easy to figure out. You’re the only lady at the bar.”

Ed Rockingham was good-looking. Older then her. Probably in his forties but with longish hair and that rugged black T-shirt kind of look about him.

She turned to shake his hand. “Nice to meet you, Ed.”

“Thanks for meeting me. Pam said you’re the best real estate agent around.”

“She might be biased. Pam and I go way back. I have to warn you, I’m the best in Charlotte, but I don’t sell much around here — although I do know Sand Dollar Cove like the back of my hand. I promise you I’m a good listener and I’ll help you find the right place for you. It’s kind of my specialty.”

“I think I’m most interested in the one Pam says you haven’t officially put on the market yet. The one in the cove.”

“It’s the prettiest piece of property on the beach. The view is unbeatable, and it’s private beachfront so you don’t have to deal with tourists or parking issues.”

“That sounds perfect.”

“It kind of is. Pam forwarded me your list of houses. I’ve already researched them and set up appointments for tomorrow.

Ed threw a twenty on the bar. “Come on. You haven’t eaten yet, have you?”

“No, but—”

“I’m starved. Grab your drink, we can talk over dinner.”

“You don’t have to buy me dinner.”

“I don’t have to, but I’d rather not dine alone. You coming?”

She jumped off the barstool and started to join him, then went back and grabbed her glass of wine and double-stepped to catch up with him.

“Two, please,” Ed said.

The girl marked a table off her grid, grabbed two menus and burst into a grin when she turned and saw Elli. “How are you? I didn’t know you were in town.”

“Just got here the other day.”

“How are things in the big city?”

“Things are going great.”

“I’m so glad to hear that. Tell your grandma we miss her. She hasn’t been in to see us in quite a while.”

“I will.” It bothered Elli to hear that Nana wasn’t getting out and about like she had been. A hair appointment or two was one thing, but she used to come here for dinner frequently. Just how long had all this been going on? Sometimes things had a way of putting you back where you belonged, or where you were needed. She was suddenly very glad she was in Sand Dollar Cove, and if she was going to be here for a little while, a little side job was a nice little extra.

The waitress seated them near the window. As the sun set, lights that dotted the edge of the dock all the way to the gazebo came on and cast a magical glow against the darkening ocean and sky.

“So, I take it you have family here,” Ed remarked.

“I spent nearly every summer here. It’s a great town. Good people. How did you find our little piece of heaven?”

“I’ve always loved the Outer Banks. Spent a lot of time there as a kid. Then a friend of mine came to the spa here. I met her for lunch one day since I was nearby. Kind of liked what I saw.” He nodded. “So here I am.”

They ordered dinner, and when the waitress brought their drinks to the table, Ed lifted his in the air. “To finding me a place where I can relax and enjoy the sounds of only the ocean.”

Elli raised hers and gave him a nod. “We can do that.” She took a sip of her drink and found herself a little surprised that she was kind of captivated by this guy. He looked a little wild-eyed on the outside, but there was something gentle and kind about him that she liked. “What do you do?”

He paused for a moment. “Well, I’m on the road a lot, so I’m really looking for somewhere I can come home to and feel like I’m rooted before heading back out. Peace and quiet and a helluva view.”

“It’s a couple hours to the nearest commercial airport from here, but we have a new private charter that’s not too terribly expensive.”

“That can work. It’s time I slowed down a little and figure out a way to find some balance. Enjoy things besides work.”

“Sand Dollar Cove is a great place to find work-life balance. It’s probably my favorite place on earth.”

“If it’s your favorite place, why don’t
you
live here?”

“That’s a good question.” And it was, because there was never a moment that she’d felt that way about Charlotte. “There are a lot more houses to sell in the city.”

“More, huh?” He nodded slowly. “I get it.
More
drives a lot of people.”

“More customers keep a paycheck coming in.” His words kind of caught her off guard though. She’d never thought of herself as someone who needed more. Why did she all of a sudden feel like she needed to defend herself?

“I think I’m ready for less.” He sucked in a breath of air and made it look as sweet as cotton candy. “Less noise, less trouble, less traffic, less mess. A few less people is okay with me too.”

His smile was gentle, and his eyes danced when he spoke. He’d fit right in around here. “Well, Ed, I think you’ve come to the right place.”

Dinner conversation was easy. As they each plowed into a shared slice of the famous seven-layer chocolate cake, Elli got the last of the details she felt she needed to make their house hunt a success.

“I think I have everything I need to get us going. Let’s find you that perfect place.”

Ed reached across the table and patted her arm. “Thanks. I appreciate you dropping things to meet with me so quickly. I have a good feeling about you. Pam. This town. I’m pretty sure you’re going to find me exactly what I need.”

Elli had almost forgotten how different it was selling property in a beach town than in the city. Even the customers were easier to take. A refreshing change of pace.

“Hi, Elli.”

She straightened. The way Holden said her name stabbed at her heart.

“Seems like we’re running into each other everywhere these days,” he said.

She hadn’t even heard Holden walk up. “Seems so.” She turned and tried to look pleasantly surprised.

“Who’s your friend?” Holden asked with a raised brow, and although the words came out polite enough, there was a little edge to them that made Elli uneasy.

“Oh, sorry. Where are my manners? Holden Moore. This is Ed Rockingham.”

Ed lifted his hand from Elli’s arm and reached out to shake Holden’s. “Hey, man.”

Holden shook his hand. “Yeah, Elli and I go way back. Great gal you’ve got there.”

“No, Holden,” Elli said shaking her head profusely. “Ed and I are just here on business. I’m helping him shop for a house.”

“Sorry. Just assumed.” Holden’s face flushed pink. “Well, the compliment still holds. She’s a great gal.”

“I’m finding that out,” Ed said, and that glance he just gave her felt a little like a flirt. Or was that wishful thinking? And had Holden been just a teensy bit jealous? That wasn’t such a bad feeling either.

“Yeah, well I’m meeting a client here too,” Holden said. “Just wanted to say hello.”

Elli smiled, and there was an awkward moment as Holden backed away. “Sorry, that was a little weird.”

“Old boyfriend?”

“Like college-days old. Doesn’t-even-count old.”

“Says you,” Ed said with a smirk.

And I would know. “I was thinking I could pick you up at nine tomorrow, so we could take a look at the houses on your list. I picked out a few others that I think might be good options too.”

“Actually, I’ve got something tomorrow, so can we plan on Thursday? Is that okay?”

“Absolutely. Thursday it is.”

His smile was relaxed. “And let’s look at the beach house on the cove first. I have a feeling it’s going to be the one to compare everything else with. I might not even have to look at anything else.”

“You got it. I’ll arrange everything.”

“I’m staying at Carolina By The Sea. I don’t mind meeting you somewhere on this end of the beach, if you’d rather.”

“Nope. I’ll meet you in the lobby. Pam serves the best coffee around.”

***

When Elli got back to the beach house, she was surprised to see another car sitting in the driveway. Nana hadn’t mentioned having company tonight. Maybe Brody had chosen to rent one.

The driver’s door opened, and Holden stepped out. “Sorry about earlier,” he said as he walked over. “Didn’t mean to make it awkward for you. I didn’t realize you were on business.”

“Is that why you’re here? Oh, Holden, you don’t need to apologize. It was fine. An honest mistake.”

“Actually, it wasn’t such an honest mistake. I hadn’t even planned to go in there until I drove past and saw your car. I wasn’t there for a business meeting. And I’m not here to apologize. I’m here because seeing you again …” His head lolled back. Following a deep exhale he said, “I’ve wanted to see you again. For so long. When I moved back and folks said you hardly ever came around anymore I was sorry to hear it, because you were one of the main reasons I returned to Sand Dollar Cove. And then I convinced myself that it was just old stuff and put it aside. But I have to tell you, after seeing you…talking to you…All those feelings from that summer we spent together, they are still as strong now as they were then.”

“That was a long time ago.”

“Not that long ago.” His eyes held hers. “Best summer of my life.”

“Somehow I doubt that.”

“I had no idea how much I was going to miss you until I was gone.”

“That’s sweet.” But she wasn’t buying it. She didn’t know what he was trying to prove to himself, but she wasn’t going to let herself get hung up in that old net again for anything.

“I’d like to see you while you’re in town.”

“I’m going to be really busy. I’m just trying to tie up some loose ends and find Nana a new place to live. Figure out what’s going with her store. Get her all set. I don’t even really know how long I’ll be in town.”

“You didn’t feel a thing?”

Had she been that transparent, or was he that egotistical? The truth was she’d been swirling those old memories around too. But this time she wasn’t going to think with her heart, she was going to use her head. “I—” And her head was telling her to get the heck off that subject. She pulled her hands up on her hips. “You mean to tell me after all this time you’re not married with a couple of kids? I seem to remember something about you wanting a little boy to teach how to surf and fish.”

“Still do. And no. Haven’t ever married. You?”

“Married and divorced. It wasn’t meant to be. He’s a nice guy, just not the right one for me. We’re still friends.”

“That’s unusual, but I’m not surprised. You were always so easy to get along with.”

Not easy enough, as she recalled. “It’s all good.”

He let out a long, slow breath. “I know this is going to sound kind of ridiculous, but when I saw you with that guy …”

“It’s fine. You didn’t harm our business at all. Really, please don’t give it another thought.”

“I didn’t like it.”

“What? That doesn’t make sense. What was there to not like?”

“I wanted to fight to get you back.”

That put her back on her heels a little. “I’m not yours.”

“That’s what I didn’t like. I don’t think I’ve ever felt that way before.”

“I’m not sure if I should be flattered or concerned.”

“Flattered, I hope. I’m not the jealous type. I just know how special you are. I screwed that up when I had the chance the first time. But I’m a man now. A man who won’t let that kind of love slip away again. I’d love it if you’d give me another chance. Now that I’m more grown up and can really appreciate you.”

Her heart fluttered, although her head was telling her to calm the heck down. What he said was sweet. Absolutely. Even kind of romantic, but she was not in the market for a relationship and darn sure not for one with someone who’d already broken her heart before. A do-over of that part of that summer was definitely not in her plans. And there was Nana. She was the priority right now.

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea, Holden.”

“How about dinner? Tomorrow night? My place. I cook an awesome lasagna.”

“You remember my weakness for Italian food?”

“I remember everything about you, Elli.”

He stepped closer, and now it wasn’t just her heart teaming against her. Her knees suddenly felt like Jell-O on a warm day.

Well, truth be told, she hadn’t forgotten one thing about him either, but she wasn’t up for another heartbreak like that in her lifetime.

“Please. One dinner. If you never want to get together again, I’ll honor that. I promise.” He bent his knees a little to get down to her level and look her eye to eye. “Please?” And there was that smile. “Seven?”

She felt herself sink under the pressure of the invitation. “Fine. One dinner.”

He pulled her into a friendly hug and held her for nearly a four-count. “You’re not going to regret this. I’ll pick you up.” He turned and left, probably to be sure she didn’t have time to back out.

And she was already regretting it.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Elli tossed and turned all night long. First, waking up in a sweat from the good memories from that summer with Holden, and then in a panic from the bad ones, followed by crazy, mixed-up dreams of worst dates ever. Probably a premonition for tonight’s dinner with him.

Why had she said yes?

She got out of bed and pulled on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. She plodded out to the kitchen at six, and Nana was already up, sitting with a mug of coffee in front of her.

“Good morning, dear. You’re up early,” she said.

Elli poured a cup of coffee and joined Nana at the table. “Didn’t sleep last night.”

“Is everything okay?”

She shrugged. No sense telling her about Holden. She sure didn’t want to talk about that. “I was just excited about house hunting for you. I’m going to pull some listings this morning.”

Nana looked around. “There’s a lot of stuff here to move.”

“You got that right. But we can just move what you want to move and donate the rest if you want. Don’t let it worry you.”

“I think downsizing is good. Maybe we could do a yard sale.”

Doubtful. She wasn’t much on yard sales, and who was going to come? “It’ll be fine,” she said just to reassure her. No one else in this town needed Nana’s stuff any more than she did, but she’d let her hang on to that thought for now and then just handle it.