“Fine.”
They turned in their equipment and waited on the sidewalk for the traffic to clear so they could cross. The steady stream of vehicles lasted for what seemed like an eternity as she stood beside him trying not to inhale his spicy cologne too deeply. It was intoxicating.
I need to get out of here.
As if in answer to her thought, Luke grabbed her hand and said, “Okay, let’s hurry.” There was a small break in the traffic and they rushed across the street.
Her hand in his felt so natural. Like it wasn’t the big deal that it was. Her fingers were tingling from his touch long after he dropped her hand on the other side. Of course, he’d dropped it the minute their feet had hit the sidewalk, so there was no reason to believe it was anything other than a concern for her safety.
That was the most likely reason, she was nearly certain.
“Feeling better?”
She swallowed painfully and her ears were ringing. What was he talking about? What if she really had said her thought out loud? “Yeah, uh, I didn’t mean to say anything over there.”
“Say what?”
Joselyn inwardly cringed, knowing the embarrassment was turning her face pink. “Never mind. I’m crazy about mini-golf. Did I mention that already?”
That was perhaps an exaggeration…
“My parents used to take us every time we went to the beach.”
“I’m learning new things about you every day, Josie.” He grinned and they strolled over to the entrance of the Jungle Golf place.
“Oh my goodness,” she gasped as she pointed to the first hole with a mechanical baby elephant bedded down on the course, with a hole for the ball in the middle on the side of his stomach. “How is this not animal cruelty?”
“Because this elephant has light-up eyes and a water fountain coming out it’s trunk.”
The water flowed steadily from the trunk to the tiny stream separating the first and second holes. A little bridge crossed it, and they could see more than one of the other courses seemed to have a similar goal to shoot a golf ball into a fake animal.
Joselyn elbowed him. “It’s obviously fake…”
“Yes, thank you for saying that so I wouldn’t worry.”
“You are in such a goofy mood right now. I just don’t think this is a good image for kids, you know? Someday I’d like to try to teach my kids to love and respect animals. What if I take them to a place like this and they start thinking if you hit a golf ball into the side of the animal, they’ll smile and squirt water?”
“Kids are smarter than you’d think, Josie. Your kids will be so smart, they’ll be telling you things you never knew about these animals and probably be the first to ask who put these holes there.”
Joselyn chuckled, feeling silly. “Well, I guess I don’t know if I’ll ever have kids, but…”
“I’m sure you will. But I hear what you’re saying; the more I’m thinking about it, the more disturbed I’m becoming with this place.”
“Wanna get out of here?”
“Yeah, there are like five other golf places on this street. Let’s take a walk.”
The sidewalk down the main road led to a stretch of hotels, and past them the blue-green water peeked out behind the sand dunes.
“I love it here.”
“Absolutely, this is the best conference location so far.” Luke stopped and pointed to the group of food trucks parked in a lot across the street. “I know you’re crazy about mini-golf, but I am crazy about sausage dogs.”
“Ooh, me too. We only had appetizers at the restaurant.”
“Is Victoria crazy about shrimp cocktail or what? I kept eating it while she was ranting and not thinking. There was so much of it.”
“Of course, it would have been nice of her to ask if anyone wanted something else.” Joselyn tilted her head to the side and twisted her lip.
“That’s asking too much for Victoria.”
“Yep.”
The traffic wasn’t heavy, and Joselyn made sure to go ahead of him in case he tried to grab her hand again. She didn’t want to deal with that again.
They strolled side by side to the truck with a large mural of a wiener on the side. They each ordered a sausage dog, then made their way over to a picnic area nearby with wooden tables.
Luke sat across from her and swallowed his first bite. He wiped a finger across his lips to clear a spot of ketchup. “If you had your own mini-golf place, what would the theme be?”
“Hmm.” Joselyn studied her food a moment. “What about a space theme? You could have little green aliens and planets hanging on poles.”
“That would be cool. You should absolutely do it.”
“Build a mini-golf course? Well, get me a hammer, Callaway.” Joselyn found herself giggling like she hadn’t since high school.
Luke joined in the laughter. “I’m just trying to say,” he said after a few moments, “if being an agent doesn’t excite you, maybe give something else a try.”
Joselyn bit off a piece of her sausage and chewed slowly, considering his words. What was he trying to say? Did he think she was a lousy realtor and should try something else? Perhaps it was only a concern for her happiness. But why? Before she could come up with a response, Luke reached out with one finger and brushed it along the side of her mouth. The warmth from his touch had her frozen in place, holding her breath.
“You’ve got a little mustard there.” Luke moved his hand away quickly and rubbed a blot of mustard on his napkin.
“Oh, thanks.” Joselyn’s voice came out really scratchy. She cleared her throat and put down the rest of her sausage dog. “I should probably get back to the hotel. We’ve been gone too long. I don’t want anyone to be suspicious. Even working on a project together, we probably wouldn’t be gone this long.”
“I’m sorry if I’ve put you in an awkward position.”
“You pulled me out of that dinner, which was the definition of awkward position. We’re even.”
“I’ll get us a taxi.” He pulled out his phone and did a quick search, then made a phone call.
Joselyn’s face could still feel the tingle from his finger brushing across her cheek. This was getting out of hand. She breathed in and out, concentrating on the salty air in the breeze.
Chapter Twelve
Joselyn strolled along by the pool the next morning. She had a little time before her first class of the day would begin. Palm trees lined the edge facing the beach and hammocks were hung between them. She couldn’t imagine a better way to relax than walking anywhere around the resort.
A woman asleep in one of them was certainly at ease. Something about the lovely blonde was familiar.
Wait, is that her?
“Hey, Josie.” Luke popped up behind her and she jumped. “Are you in the Ultimate Potential course?”
“Shhh!” Joselyn spun around and hissed with a finger over her lips. Her heart rate had tripled in speed. “You’ll wake her up.”
“Who?”
“I think that’s Krista Noorman, my favorite author.” Joselyn whipped out her phone and did a quick search for Krista’s picture. “Yes, her photo is in the back flap of her books. Look.” She showed Luke the photo. “That’s gotta be her, right?”
Luke squinted at the photo in the bright sunlight and carried the phone closer to the hammock. “Maybe,” he whispered. “It’s hard to see your screen in the sunlight.”
“Take my picture.” Joselyn squatted down beside the hammock and smiled, hoping she wouldn’t wake up Krista. It really had to be her.
“I can hardly see. You need a new phone.”
“Give me that. You’re going to wake her up.” Joselyn switched the camera around to try a selfie beside the hammock. Then she made a wide, goofy grin as she pointed at the sleeping woman, then snapped the photo.
“I’m the one who is going to wake her up?” Luke hissed. “Not the crazy fan girl?”
Joselyn smirked and placed a finger over her lips to quiet him.
Krista stirred and moaned, and Joselyn shot up and hurried away from the hammock.
The man in the suit followed her, then waved them over to the side of the pool, putting a reasonable distance away from the hammock for what looked to be a stern conversation.
“Ms. Noorman is here for peace and relaxation, and we at Serenity Shores have guaranteed her exactly that.” He folded his arms and narrowed his eyes.
“It is really her.” She playfully slapped Luke’s arm. “I told you. I have every single one of her books.”
The man scowled and Joselyn adopted a serious expression. She hoped it was. “I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to intrude.”
Okay, a little fib. What was one to do when running into a famous writer?
“Please,” said the man, glowering at her. “Give Ms. Noorman her privacy and stay away.”
“I’ll see to that, sir.” Luke smiled and placed his arm around Joselyn as the man turned and left.
She frowned, and her spine stiffened. “What do you mean you’ll see to that?”
“Finding fun distractions is my specialty. Haven’t you noticed?”
“Ma’am, may I speak with you a moment? I…” A man slightly taller than Luke in a black suit stopped several feet away from Josie. “Hey!” He lifted a finger. “Joselyn Bell?”
She couldn’t believe her eyes. “Are you kidding me? Chris! How are you?” She walked straight to him and gave him a hug, patting him on the back. Seeing him brought back so many memories.
Luke hovered behind Josie, unsure if he should break into this reunion. His heart was sinking watching how delighted Josie was to see this man. Luke wasn’t the best judge of male attractiveness, but this guy looked sharp with his slicked-back dark hair and snazzy suit.
“I can’t believe it’s you. How long has it been?” Chris asked as they stepped apart.
Josie stepped back. “I don’t know, at least ten years.”
“I keep in touch with Daniel on social media. It’d be great if we all could get together sometime.”
“How is Samantha?” Chris asked.
“She’s doing well. She’s actually a chef now. Though I’m always telling her she should have been a therapist with the way she gets me to open up.”
“I remember she was always a good listener. I’d love to see her again too. Actually, tell her I’m in the market for a new chef. My best one is retiring next month.”
“I will. What do you mean your best chef?” Josie pointed to his nametag. “You’re assistant manager now. What an awesome place to work, Chris. I’m so happy for you.”
“I love it. It’s impossible to miss Atlanta down here. Are you on vacation with your…” Chris held out a hand to Luke, who stepped up to take it.
“Luke Callaway.” Luke didn’t want to presume to give himself a title of what he was to Josie. He wanted to hear what she would label him.
“Oh, I almost forgot to introduce you. Luke, this is Chris Rawlins.” She waved a hand in Chris’s direction, then turned her attention to Chris. “Luke and I are realtors. We’re here for the Southern Homes Conference.”
Luke couldn’t help the disappointment sinking his heart all the way to his bare feet. Couldn’t she at least have described him as her friend? Why was he standing next to her, wishing he was more than that? She hadn’t bothered to explain who Chris was—an old boyfriend or friend.
He wanted to give this guy a good hard shove into the pool behind him. Instead, he asked, “How do you and Chris know each other?”
“Chris lived next door to us when we were growing up,” Josie explained. “He and my brother, Daniel, were best friends.”
“And now you’re a realtor, huh?” Chris asked as he tapped her shoulder.
Josie nodded. “It’s crazy, isn’t it? Last time we saw each other, we were getting ready to go off to college. And Samantha was just getting ready for high school.”
“Ten years ago. It’s insane.” Chris laughed.
The passage of time was insane? Luke kept his lips pressed tightly together to avoid any snarky comments.
“I can barely believe it’s you, Joss.” Chris was still smiling at Josie.
Apparently, Luke wasn’t the only one to have given her a nickname. He tightened his jaw so much it was painful. What kind of name was Joss? Nothing about this guy impressed Luke.
“It’s great to run into you like this.” Josie twisted a lock of hair around her finger.
Chris glanced at Luke, then back at Josie. “I actually came out to talk to you because one of the employees claims he caught you trying to harass one of our special guests. Do you know anything about that?”
“I was not trying to harass her! Krista is my favorite author and I wanted to take a selfie with her.” Josie smiled while showing her teeth; then her face fell. “I know, that was bad. I was excited, but I’m so sorry if I caused any trouble. She almost woke up, but see…” Josie pointed to the hammock. “She’s still asleep and looking well rested and un-harassed.”
Chris chuckled. “I see. Well, I haven’t read any of her books, but she is a special guest and we promised her a relaxing stay. The employee in charge of seeing to her comfort was upset with you. I’m afraid I must ask you to keep your distance. But if you’d like, I can see if she’d be willing to sign a book for you.”
“You would do that? Chris, that would be amazing. I have one of her books up in my room.”
“Great. Leave it for me at the front desk, and I’ll see what I can do.”
Josie threw her arms around Chris’s neck and gave him another squeeze.
Luke had about all he could take of this show of affection. As he began to stalk off, Josie called out to him, “Luke, wait up!”
He spun around rapidly to face her and grasped her shoulders to keep her from crashing into him.
“What’s up?” Luke hoped he sounded casual.
“Are you okay?”
“Of course I’m okay. Why do you ask?”
“Well, you’re marching off like you’re upset about something.”
“I’m not upset.” He shook his head and tapped on his watch. “We have classes to get to.”
Her eyes widened. “Oh, I almost forgot. Let’s go.”
She walked with him into the hotel and down the hall leading to the conference rooms. This wasn’t the exit he’d hoped for. Watching her sweet reunion with an old “friend” affected him more than he cared to admit.
He sat in the Ultimate Potential course with Josie a respectable few seats away from him. Some more distance would be good for them. Everything in him wanted to tell her the truth about Gina. Tonight, there was a formal dinner for all the conference attendees. He’d see Josie again by then, if not sooner throughout the day. He needed to get himself together so his emotions didn’t run wild again.
Chapter Thirteen
Luke checked his email from his phone again. Still no news, so he decided to check on his grandma.
She answered his call immediately. “Luke, how are you, boy?”
“I was calling to ask about you, Grandma.”
“I’m doing well, sweetheart. You sound a little down.”
“I haven’t heard about the broker exam yet, and I guess I’m sweating it out. I really need something to work out for me.”
“Oh, Luke. I’m sure everything will be fine. I know you can do it. And if you need to take the test again, you won’t have that girlfriend to distract you.”
Luke nodded. His breakup would certainly be good for his future in more ways than one. Grandma hadn’t liked Gina; that should have been his first clue something wasn’t right. Grandma had yet to meet a stranger in her life.
“You should get your own TV show where they’ll show you ripping apart old houses and remodeling them. You’re already flipping houses.”
“Oh, Grandma, I’m not anywhere close to getting my own TV show.” Luke loved Grandma’s unwavering faith in h
im. She truly thought he could do anything.
“I’m flipping one house so far. When this one sells, I can throw the proceeds into another house, but it’s a slow process. I have to get away from Victoria, and if she’s as vindictive as I believe she will be, I won’t have a good reputation going to another broker. And, of course, I’ll lose my current listings, and if I lose the commission from the closing I have scheduled at the end of the week, I won’t have the funds to finish my flip.”
“Oh, sweetheart. You need to take things one day at a time.”
“Thanks for letting me vent.”
“Maybe you could find a partner. Like the good-looking brothers on the Home Channel.”
“Yes, an investor would help a lot. But I don’t know. I had hoped to start my own real estate company for my main source of income, but that hinges on making broker.”
“Goodness, you sound so stressed. Take a breath, child. It will all work out.”
“I never should have gotten involved with Gina.”
“If things hadn’t gone wrong with Gina, I wonder if you would still be working toward your own company.”
“I don’t know. I admit it wasn’t something I considered much until I became more and more aware that working for Victoria would not work.”
“Starting your own company is an amazing idea, Luke. I know you can find a way to do it and make it a wonderful success.”
“You always believe in me no matter what, Grandma. That means everything to me.”
“Oh, you are everything to me, dear boy. I believe in you one hundred percent.” She paused. “I hope you’re finding time to have fun there. Are there any nice girls at the beach?”
Josie again popped into his mind.
“Well…there is one particular one here I’ve been hanging out with. But that’s not going to work.”
“Why not?”
“It’s a long story. She never really liked me, but we were stuck in the same kayak together and chased by a shark…I think we are friends now, but, look, Grandma, being single since I broke up with Gina has been amazing.”
“You were attacked by a shark? Heaven help us.”
Resorting to Romance Page 8
