Sweet Success

by Nicole Ellis

  Off the Vine, along with the other bars and eating establishments in town, had created special mixed drinks that highlighted chocolate ingredients. Local businesses throughout the coastal region offered chocolates and chocolate-based products, including chocolate tea and specialty mochas. The Chamber of Commerce excelled at finding every means possible to separate tourists from their money.

  Gretchen spent the morning telling people about all the wonderful overnight lodging options Candle Beach had to offer. At noon, a co-worker came to relieve her from her duties. Instead of heading back to the office right away, she perused the other booths spread out over the Marina Park’s lawn. Before she reached Dahlia’s To Be Read booth, a man called out to her.

  “Gretchen, wait up.” A Dennis the Menace look-alike in his early thirties jogged up to her, a camera bobbing on a rope around his neck. He got closer and snapped a picture of her.

  “Hey, Adam.” She pointed to the camera. “I’d better not end up on the front page of the paper.” She scrunched up her face. He took another picture of her and grinned.

  “You won’t,” he said. “Well, maybe you’ll be in the paper, but not the front page. I think Chocolate Delights will take that honor.” He motioned to the booth to their right that was surrounded by a huge crowd of people jostling for a taste of the free chocolate samples.

  “I was headed there myself,” she admitted. “I had one of the chocolates they made for Candle Beach Real Estate and it was amazing. I’d never have expected a plain molded chocolate to taste so good.”

  “I sampled a few of their wares myself when I covered their grand opening last month. Their hot chocolate bar is scheduled to open next week. Maybe you’d like to go with me? I remember how much you enjoyed the hot chocolate my mom would make us when we were kids. I’m sure this will be even better.” He looked at her hopefully.

  She froze. As much as she’d like to be attracted to Adam, the only thing she felt for him was brotherly love.

  “I’m pretty busy with the tourist season starting. But thank you for the offer.”

  Disappointment crossed his face, but he quickly recovered. Her heart twisted. She’d hate to lose his friendship and she hoped she hadn’t hurt his feelings.

  “Of course, no worries. Let me know if you change your mind.” He turned away from her and pointed up the hill to Main Street. “Make sure you don’t miss the Bluebonnet Café’s chocolate soufflé. I hear Maggie’s pastry chef has outdone herself.”

  “I will, thanks.” She smiled at him. “I’d better go if I want to check out the other booths before I’m due back at the office.”

  Adam nodded and left. She watched as he snapped photos while he walked. This was another reason she needed to leave Candle Beach. She’d grown up with all the available men in town and they were all like brothers to her.

  She swiveled around, intent on hitting up the Chocolate Delights booth before she left the Marina Park. Unfortunately, she turned directly into a man she’d never seen before.

  “Whoa,” he said, steadying her arms to keep her from falling. He nodded at the Chocolate Delights booth. “I’ve heard their chocolate is fantastic, but I don’t think they’re in danger of running out.”

  “Sorry about that.” The skin on her face had warmed and it wasn’t from the meager sunlight. “I wasn’t paying attention.” She looked up at him. At five foot two, she was used to men being quite a bit taller than her, but he must have been over six feet tall. “Are you okay?” She’d smacked into him pretty hard.

  “I’m fine.” He smiled an easy grin that revealed a dimple embedded in one of the most handsome faces she’d ever seen.

  “Do you want to brave the masses with me?” He gestured at the crowd.

  “Sure, sounds good. I could use a human shield to get through that.” She held out her hand. “I’m Gretchen.”

  “Parker. Pleased to meet you.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “Now that we’re acquainted, let’s get that chocolate.”

  She laughed, and they crossed the grass to the Chocolate Delights booth to try their luck at pushing through the crowds.

  When they got close enough to the front of the line, Parker was able to reach through the people and snag a couple of the sample plates with three assorted chocolates on each. He handed one to her and motioned to a wooden bench on the other side of the park.

  “Let’s sit down. I’d hate to drop these.”

  They sat on the bench and Gretchen bit into one of the chocolates. “Oh my goodness. I thought I’d had good chocolate before, but it was nothing compared to this.”

  He bobbed his head in agreement and devoured his own plate of treats.

  “Okay, nothing is going to top that.” She checked her purse for a napkin to wipe the chocolate smear off her thumb. Finding none, she licked it off. He laughed.

  “Agreed,” he said. “I hear the Bluebonnet Café has some great offerings though. Have you had lunch yet?”

  Lunch? She gaped at him like an idiot. Was he inviting her on a date? A plate of samples was one thing, but this sounded like a date.

  “Did you want to grab lunch?” he prompted her.

  “Uh, yes. Sure. That sounds great.” It was as if someone had taken over her brain and was keeping her from saying anything reasonably intelligent. With any luck, the thief would relinquish control by the time they arrived at the café.

  He held his hand out to help her off the bench. She took it and smiled at him. His hand was warm and comforting and she wanted to hold it forever. She realized she was staring at him when he gave her an odd look and eased his hand out of her grip.

  What are you doing, Gretch? Some strange guy comes to town and woos you with free chocolate. Now you’re as gaga over him as Dahlia is over Garrett. This is ridiculous. Act like someone who’s been around a man once in a while, or you’re going to scare him.

  “Are you ready?” he asked.

  “Yes, sorry.” She picked up her purse and they walked up the hill, chatting about the other booths they’d visited at the festival.

  They had to wait twenty minutes for a table at the Bluebonnet Café, but the time flew by. Gretchen felt as if she’d known Parker forever and the conversation flowed easily.

  An elderly woman, who Gretchen recognized as one of the Ladies of Candle Beach club members, had struck up a conversation with Parker, and he’d turned away from her to chat politely with the woman.

  Maggie came out to check on the baked goods in the pastry case and saw them sitting in the waiting area. She cocked her head to the side and gave Gretchen a questioning look. “Who is that?” she mouthed.

  Gretchen mouthed back to Maggie, “I’ll tell you later.” Maggie gave her a thumbs-up from behind the counter. Another old woman came through the door, headed for Parker’s companion, and Gretchen groaned. Agnes Barnes. They needed to be seated ASAP. The problem with living in a small town for your whole life was that all the adults you’d grown up with continued to see you as the child you’d once been. She didn’t want to deal with an inquisition from Agnes about Parker.

  Luckily, the hostess called her name before Agnes reached their bench. Gretchen tapped Parker on the shoulder and pointed at the fast-disappearing hostess, then jetted away from the waiting area before Agnes could approach her. She glanced over her shoulder to make sure Parker was following. He said goodbye to the woman he’d been talking with and followed Gretchen into the dining room.

  “What was that about? You ran away like the room was on fire.” A bemused expression stretched across his face.

  She cringed. He’d noticed her abrupt exit. “Sorry, I didn’t want to get pulled into a conversation with that woman’s friend. She’s kind of the town busybody.”

  He chuckled. “I totally understand. I’ve encountered the type before.”

  When they approached their seats, he moved her chair away from the table and put his hand on the small of her back to guide her toward it.

  “Thanks.” She’d never had a man do that before. It
was a nice gesture.

  “My mother would never forgive me if I didn’t pull out the chair for a woman I was dining with.”

  This was sounding more and more like a date. She picked up her menu and hid behind it, pretending to be engrossed in the day’s specials.

  “You’re from Candle Beach, right?” he asked. “What do you recommend?”

  “Everything is good, but I’m partial to the Reuben. They pile on so much corned beef that you can barely wrap your mouth around it.”

  “The Reuben it is.” He smiled pleasantly at her and set down the menu.

  “Have you been to Candle Beach before?” They didn’t get many single male tourists in town. She wondered if he was here solely for the chocolate festival.

  “I’m actually from Haven Shores, so not too far from here. I’ve only been up this way a few times before though. It’s a beautiful location. In Haven Shores, the dunes block much of the ocean views, but here it seems like the Pacific is within arm’s reach from practically anywhere in town.”

  “It is beautiful. I’ve lived here all my life with the exception of the time I spent at college.” She sniffed the air and pointed to the dessert a nearby diner was devouring. “Is that what smells so good?” The scent of dark chocolate filled the café.

  “Or maybe that?” Parker asked. They watched as a woman bit into a piece of layered chocolate cake. Caramel oozed from between each layer, spilling out onto the plate.

  The waitress came to take their orders and they each ordered a Reuben and a glass of iced tea. They opted to split a miniature chocolate soufflé and a piece of the caramel chocolate cake.

  “The soufflé will take thirty minutes. Is that okay?” The waitress’s pen hovered over her order pad. Her hair was mussed and she appeared to have been running for most of her shift.

  Gretchen looked at Parker. “Do you have time?”

  “Sure,” he said. “That’s fine. I’m not in a hurry.”

  She nodded to the waitress, who scurried away.

  “So what brings you to town? The chocolate festival, or something else?”

  “Mainly the festival, but I wanted to check out the town as well.”

  They continued talking throughout their meal. After eating the chocolate soufflé, she remembered to check her watch. Two o’clock? She’d been so absorbed in conversation with Parker that she’d completely forgotten she had a showing at a quarter past two. Even with her parents owning the property management company, she still had to be professional and show up on time.

  “I’m so sorry, but I’ve got to run. I completely forgot an appointment I have in a few minutes.”

  She was in the process of gathering her belongings when a woman stopped by the table. They hadn’t gotten out of the restaurant fast enough. That darn chocolate soufflé.

  “Hi, Agnes,” Gretchen said. “We were just leaving.”

  “Oh, this won’t take too much time dear.” Agnes beamed at Parker. “And who is this young man?”

  “My name is Parker, ma’am.” He stretched out his hand and Agnes shook it, scrutinizing him.

  “I didn’t realize our Gretchen had a male friend. Her grandmother was a dear friend of mine.”

  Gretchen’s face reddened and she pretended to be occupied with finding something in her purse.

  “Yes, ma’am. We’ve known each other since our time fighting pirates together in the Caribbean.”

  How he managed to keep a straight face after that statement, Gretchen didn’t know.

  “Pirates?” Agnes’s face contorted as she processed the nugget of information.

  He nodded very seriously. “Yes, ma’am. But please keep it confidential. I really shouldn’t have said anything. It was a top secret mission.”

  Gretchen stifled a giggle. The look on Agnes’s face was worth all the damage control she’d have to do later.

  Agnes stared at them and then walked away without another word.

  “Sorry about that.” Parker grinned like crazy. “I sometimes get carried away.”

  “No,” Gretchen laughed. “It was perfect. I wish I had the nerve to say something like that to her.” She checked her watch. “I’ve really got to go. I can’t be late for this.”

  “No problem, it was great to meet you. Maybe we could get together another time?”

  “Definitely.” She jotted her phone number down on a paper napkin. “Here’s my cell phone number.” Then she pulled out cash for her half of the bill and handed it to him.

  He pushed it back toward her. “It’s on me.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “You can pay next time, okay?” He gave her a smile that made her pulse race.

  Next time? There was for sure going to be a next time?

  “Well, thanks then. I’ll see you later.” She turned and hurried out of the restaurant before Maggie could catch her and pepper her with questions. She wasn’t usually the type of girl who met strangers and went out with them on the spur-of-the-moment. Her normal MO was to plan everything, with the exception of her abnormal split-second decision to move away from Candle Beach. What was happening to her?

  It wasn’t until she said goodbye to the new clients she met that afternoon that she realized she hadn’t gotten Parker’s phone number too. Would he actually call? She hoped he would. Any man who could deal with Agnes and her prying was worth a second date.

  3

  “Gretchen!” Maggie burst into the property management office early Monday morning and jogged over to Gretchen’s desk in the rear of the building. Gretchen looked up from her computer. Her friend’s face was flushed and a bead of sweat dripped off her forehead. Maggie grabbed a tissue to dry her face.

  “What’s going on?” Gretchen asked. Maggie rarely exuded anything but calm, so this had to be big.

  “You’ll never guess who was in the Bluebonnet Café today.” Her words bubbled out in rapid succession.

  “Who?”

  “Remember those two guys we saw on Friday at Off the Vine? The ones I’d been chatting with at the café?”

  “Yeah, so?” Was Maggie trying to fix her up with one of them?

  “They came in the café today again for lunch. I saw them and said hi, and we got to talking again.” She practically bounced in place. “Guess who the older man was?”

  “Uh, some billionaire? My future husband?”

  “No, not your future husband.” Maggie scowled at her. “But a billionaire, maybe. I don’t know. Anyways, Martin Egglesby is a real estate developer and he’s the one who is developing that piece of property outside of town. Oceanview Estates, I think it’s called.”

  Why was Maggie so excited about a developer? She normally wasn’t big on anything involving change. “And this is exciting, why?”

  “Because he’s looking for a real estate agent to sell the lots in his development.” She flopped into the chair across the desk from Gretchen. “This could be your chance for something new and big. And it’s right here in Candle Beach.”

  Her plan had merit. But Gretchen had limited experience selling real estate. She’d mainly been on the property management side of the family’s business. However, she’d earned her real estate license a few years prior and kept up to date on continuing education requirements. Whenever there was an opportunity to manage a property sale, she jumped at the chance.

  The clattering of a keyboard from the next cubicle over stopped. She lowered her voice so her co-workers couldn’t eavesdrop on the conversation.

  “They’ll want someone with more experience.” She shuffled some papers on her desk. Butterflies gyrated in her stomach as she grew more excited about the possible opportunity, but she didn’t want to let Maggie know. Odds were slim that they’d even consider her for the position.

  “It doesn’t hurt to try for it,” Maggie said. “And I may have told him that I know a hotshot real estate agent in the local area.”

  “Maggie! You didn’t.” Gretchen’s jaw dropped and she stared at her friend. “You should have aske
d me first.”

  She shrugged and made a face. “I knew you’d say no, so I took the initiative for you and gave them your name and contact info.”

  Gretchen slumped in her chair. Now she had no way of getting out of it. She brightened. Maybe they wouldn’t call her.

  “This could be it, Gretch. And he told me he has other properties in development all over the Pacific Northwest. He’s the real deal.”

  “All over the Northwest?” Gretchen perked up. “If I succeed at this, he might consider me for another property closer to the city. This could be my in. I was worried about finding clients in a new area, but this would give me a ready-made group of prospective clients.”

  “Not exactly what I was thinking.” Maggie frowned. “If you get the chance to sell the houses in this development, you could parlay that into a real estate career in this area.”

  “I guess.” She could tell Maggie was dismayed by the idea of her leaving and she didn’t want to upset her further. “So is he going to contact me, or should I reach out to him?”

  “He said he’d call you tomorrow. Isn’t this fantastic?”

  Gretchen’s heart pounded and she didn’t answer. She fingered the rough edges of the arm of her desk chair. Maggie’s words echoed in her head. Was this fantastic news?

  Maggie didn’t seem to notice her hesitation. “Speaking of good news, who was that man you were with at the Bluebonnet Café?”

  “Huh?” Gretchen said, still mentally processing the job news.

  “The good-looking guy you were with? Super tall? You both had Reubens for lunch. Is this ringing any bells?” Maggie searched Gretchen’s face.

  “Oh yeah, Parker. I met him at the chocolate festival.” Maggie’s words registered. “How did you know we both had Reubens? Were you spying on us?” She looked at her with suspicion.

  Maggie grinned impishly. “I was monitoring the situation.” She placed her palms on the desk between them. “Tell me everything. I’m living vicariously through you.”