Hope felt her cheeks flush with pride, and she couldn’t help but grin at him. He really was the best guy she’d ever known. “No way. I was just doing my job.”
He let out a laugh and shook his head. “No, Hope. I hired you to organize an open house. You did that and then went above and beyond by acting as my publicist. What you did here tonight was incredible. Thank you.”
She took a step forward and pressed her hand to his chest right over his heart. “You’re welcome.” Then she took a step back and added, “I just did what I’d do for anyone.”
He raised one skeptical eyebrow. “Really?”
A chuckle escaped from the back of her throat. “No. Your event might have gotten a little extra attention.”
“And why’s that exactly?” There was a challenge in his expression that told her he knew why, but she’d be damned if she’d give him the satisfaction by admitting that she’d done it because she desperately wanted his business to be a success.
“I’m trying to build my own business. By inviting a bunch of businesspeople from town, they’ll remember me when they need an event organizer.”
He pursed his lips and nodded. “And the fact that you’re the only event organizer in town isn’t enough?”
“Nope. I’ve got competition from three surrounding towns. And Peggy Pitsman just hung her shingle a few months ago. Mostly she’s doing baby showers, but I heard she put on a luncheon for the book club recently. I need to stay on top of my game.”
“I see.” His lips twitched, and his eyes crinkled as he held back a laugh.
She rolled her eyes as if she were irritated with him, but the truth was she missed bantering with him and couldn’t deny that this felt good. But there were more important things to talk about than why she’d put so much effort into his event. She cleared her throat. “Listen, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”
A flicker of concern flashed in his silver gaze, but it disappeared just as quickly. “Sure. Why don’t we sit.” He led her to a dining room table that was on display and pulled out one of the chairs for her.
She took her seat and waited for him to sit in the chair to her left. Hope clasped her hands together and turned to him, looking into his eyes. “Remember when I told you that my mom is back in town?”
“Sure.” He furrowed his brow. “How are you doing with that? Are you okay?”
Lucas knew better than anyone her issues with her mom. “Honestly, I don’t really know.” She glanced down at the table, studying the varying shades of color in the hardwood. “Something happened last night.”
He placed a hand over hers and squeezed, not saying a word.
A small smile tugged at her lips, and some of the weight on her chest lifted. He knew her so well. If he just waited her out, she’d tell him everything. Probably more than if he asked questions. When there was something important on her mind, her way of dealing with it was to think it through while talking. If he asked questions, she was more likely to clam up. “I was at the cliffs with Grace and Joy, and I heard their thoughts.”
“You just heard their thoughts? Like Grace was thinking about her next curse on her ex while Joy was contemplating which sex toys she’s going to order next?” His eyes danced with humor.
Hope cackled. “How did you know about the sex toys?”
“Joy told me. I ran into her at the café, and she kinda asked me for advice.” He chuckled.
“No effing way,” Hope gasped out and then covered her mouth as she started laughing again. She laughed so hard tears started streaming down her face. “Please tell me she’d been drinking.”
“You know, I thought that at first. I even asked her if she’d spiked her coffee, but I think she just needed a guy’s perspective about Paul’s indifference.” He shrugged. “I’m not sure I helped, though.”
Hope leaned in. “What did you tell her?”
“That a man is usually not subtle when he’s interested and that she should probably just have an honest conversation with him about what she needs.”
“That is not a conversation I’d want to have with Paul. Can you even imagine? I bet he uses terms like ‘privates’ and ‘special parts.’”
“He’s definitely uptight,” Lucas said, chuckling. Then he sobered as he scanned his gaze over Hope.
The air turned thick between them, and Hope had a moment where she was certain he wanted to kiss her. Everything inside of her yearned to lean forward, to feel his lips on hers once more. But instead of letting herself fall right back into old habits, she glanced away and said, “When I got home last night after spending time with Grace and Joy, my mom told me that the women in my family are cursed with telepathy when we turn forty-six. It was why she left. She said she couldn’t control it, and that she left for both of us. So I’d have my privacy and so that she didn’t lose her mind.”
Lucas blinked. “Telepathy? Seriously?”
She nodded. “Seriously.”
“That’s… wow. She was reading your mind? Way back when you were a teenager?”
“Yep.” She watched him as he eventually came to the same realization that she had.
His face flushed, and he looked so very much like the nervous teenager she’d once fallen in love with. It made her heart ache with nostalgia. “That was when we… uh, were doing all kinds of things I prayed your mom would never know about.”
“Exactly.” She threw her head back and laughed. “Can you even imagine having a teenager and having to read their thoughts?”
“No. Not at all.” He shook his head, looking horrified. Then after a minute, he narrowed his eyes at her and asked, “You said the women in your family are cursed with telepathy at forty-six. Does that mean you’ve been reading my mind all night?”
“No. I only got a couple of snippets of thoughts. Like when you thought I was adorable.”
“You are adorable. Sexy and smart, too, just in case you missed those.” He winked at her, and she smiled back, unable to resist the spell he was casting over her. “Do you know what I’m thinking right now?”
She stared him in the eye and concentrated. A vision of the two of them walking hand in hand down at Premonition Beach flashed in her mind. Tears stung her eyes, and she had to blink them back. That had been one of their things that they did when they just wanted to spend time together. The memories of all the time they’d spent down there in what they’d always called ‘their cove’ were too much. She couldn’t go there right then. Not without breaking down. So instead of confirming his thoughts of the beach, she said, “You’re thinking about the time we broke into Grayson Masterson’s rental and spent the night drinking in his hot tub.”
He eyed her skeptically, but then he flashed her his sexy half smile that showed off his dimple. “No, but I am now. Remember what happened after we got out of the hot tub? I seem to recall a midnight swim in the ocean followed by—”
“Stop!” She laughed. “No need to voice that memory. I think it’s one neither of us will forget.”
“Fair enough. But what do you say to a repeat? I’m pretty sure I can still pick the lock on Grayson’s gate. I wouldn’t mind a soak in that hot tub.”
She grinned at him. “As tempting as that sounds, I’m pretty sure Grayson has security cameras now. I’d rather not put myself in a position where my goods end up on video.”
“Damn. Too bad. I was just starting to get excited about the idea.” He leaned back in his chair and grinned back at her.
To be honest, so had she. But there was no way she was going to admit that. Besides, they had something a lot more important to discuss. “Listen, there’s something else I need to tell you.”
His smile vanished, and his expression turned serious. “Okay. What’s wrong?”
She glanced down at her hands, noticing that she’d unknowingly balled them into fists. Hope flattened her hands out on the table and looked back up at him. “I heard someone thinking that your business would be the perfect place to use to run drugs. It sounded
like they were scoping you and your place out.”
Lucas’s frown deepened. “Drugs? That’s… not possible. You know I’m not involved with anything to do with drugs. Hell, it’s been over twenty years since I even lit up a joint.”
“I didn’t say you were involved. I said they wanted to use your store, and I wanted to tell you so you’d know someone you’d met tonight doesn’t have your best interests at heart.”
He made a face and waved a hand dismissing her concerns. “You know I’d never get involved in anything like that. And no one is going to be able to move drugs through my shop without me being in on it, right?”
“I guess so. I just feel terrible for inviting someone like that here.”
“Hope,” he said gently. “You put out a press release, just as you should. You can’t help who showed up. Do you have any idea who it was?”
She shook her head. “No, but I’m going to keep an ear out and see if I can figure it out before they become a problem. You know, since I can hear thoughts now, I should be able to find something out.”
“And then do what with that information?” he asked, narrowing his eyes.
“I don’t know. Alert the Premonition Pointe police? Let you know so you don’t end up in business with them? That kind of thing.”
“That’s a noble thing to do,” he said. “But, Hope, I think it’s best if you don’t go looking for trouble. I really just don’t want you to end up in some drug kingpin’s crosshairs.”
“I’m not looking for trouble. I’m just—”
“You’re not?” He chuckled and shook his head. “Getting in the way of drug dealers is the definition of trouble.” He stood and held out his hand to her.
She sighed, hating both that he was telling her what to do and that he was right. What did she know about drug dealers other than what she’d seen on television? Hope took his hand and let him help her up.
“Want to go for a cup of coffee or… a walk on the beach maybe?” he asked.
She gave him a soft smile. “I would love to do both, but I don’t think so.”
He pulled her closer to him and stared down at her. “Why not?”
“You know why.” She pushed up on her tiptoes, gave him a light kiss on the cheek, and then patted his chest. “Now, I’m going to take you up on that offer to finish cleaning up, and I’m going to take off.”
“All right,” he said softly and pulled her in, giving her a tight hug.
She held on with everything she had for a few seconds, and then she pulled away and walked out without looking back.
Chapter Six
“More coffee?” Hope asked Grace and Joy as she rose from the table in Pointe of View Café.
Joy groaned and shook her head. “Better make mine decaf.”
“Decaf? Seriously?” Grace asked her, looking like someone had just suggested she throw out her favorite designer heels. “Since when do you drink decaf?”
“Since too much caffeine started making my boobs hurt.” She pressed her hands to her chest and grimaced. “I can have one cup, but any more than that and they just ache. My doctor told me this sometimes happens when you get older.”
Hope blinked at her. Caffeine was like her life’s blood and the only thing that got her through some days. “You’re kidding right? Please tell me you’re messing with us.”
“I wish I was.” Joy lowered her hands and pressed them against the table. “Getting older sucks donkey shlong.”
“Jeez, Joy. I’m so sorry,” Grace said then looked up at Hope. “Get me another. Large. I’ll drink Joy’s share.”
“Gee thanks.” Joy rolled her eyes.
Hope made her way up to the bar, order two more coffees from Jackson, the recent college grad who was working as a barista while trying to figure out his next move, and then retreated back to the table. After handing the coffee to Grace, Hope made a face and dug into her oversized cinnamon roll.
“Hey, just be glad you’re not suffering tendonitis in your right hip and ankle,” Grace said dramatically. “The other night when Owen and I were in bed—”
“That’s quite enough.” Joy held her hand up, stopping her friend. “I do not want to hear about your sexual escapades right now. It’s too depressing. I can’t even get Paul to give me a back rub these days. I swear, if I didn’t know better, I’d think the man was having an affair.”
Grace and Hope shared a look.
“Stop,” Joy said with a sigh. “I know what you’re thinking, but I really don’t think that’s it. He’s just… not into it for some reason.”
“You really don’t think it’s because he’s into it with someone else?” Hope asked gently.
“No. He works a lot, but he comes home exhausted and frustrated with work. There’s a lot of tension. I just really don’t think it’s an affair. Besides, he’s terrified of STDs. And if someone was willing to have an affair with a married man, he’d never trust them.” She shrugged. “I keep asking him to go to therapy, but he refuses.”
“I’m sorry, honey,” Grace said, squeezing Joy’s hand. Grace had recently been through her own divorce, but in her case, her husband had been sticking it to the office receptionist. There hadn’t been a relationship to work on after he’d walked in one day and said it was over and he was marrying his side piece. “We’re here if you want to talk about it.”
“She’s right. And I won’t even tell you to dump his sorry ass, even if it is what I’m thinking,” Hope said, giving her friend a sympathetic smile, wanting to make sure she knew that, no matter what, she was on Joy’s side.
Joy’s clear blue eyes clouded with tears, but she blinked them back and nodded. “I know. I love you both, but right now I’d rather talk about literally anything other than Paul. I’m just so sick of whining about my relationship.”
“It’s not whining. If you can’t talk to us, who can you talk to?” Hope asked.
“Ditto,” Grace added.
“Thanks.” Joy sniffed. “Now, make me feel better by telling me I’m not the only one with weird perimenopause symptoms.
They both laughed.
“I had inch long face hairs that seem to pop up overnight,” Grace said. “And my hair is starting to turn gray.”
“Your dye job is doing a great job of covering that up,” Hope said.
“Not that hair.” Grace glanced down at her crotch and raised one eyebrow. “Things are definitely changing colors.”
“Oh.” Joy placed a hand over her mouth, unable to control her giggles. “I, um, haven’t had that issue just yet.”
“That’s because you’re a blonde,” Hope said, laughing with her. This was what she loved most in her life. The time she spent with her girlfriends filled her soul. Who needed ex-boyfriends when she had this in her life?
“Grace?” a man called from a few tables away.
Hope turned and spotted a tall handsome man with silver hair and green eyes holding a cup of coffee. Matt something. He was the man who’d purchased one of the haunted houses Grace sold earlier in the year. And damn, was he sexy. She couldn’t help imagining what it would be like to skinny dip in his hot tub. Lucas immediately popped into her mind, making guilt wash over her, and she wanted to scream. She had nothing to feel guilty about. Lucas was not her boyfriend.
Not now. But how long until he is? she asked herself.
She gritted her teeth against the thought and put Lucas out of her mind. Nothing good would come from considering getting back together with him.
“Matt!” Grace jumped out of her seat and rushed over to him, giving him a quick hug. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen you. What have you been up to?”
“Oh, you know. Spending time at the beach with my kids and their families. But they’ve left now and it’s just me. I’ve been working remotely. Can’t beat sitting on the deck during conference calls, right?”
“Sounds fabulous.” She turned back to the table. “Joy, Hope, you remember Matt Dahl, right?”
“Sure,” Joy said.<
br />
“Who could forget Matt?” Hope said, smiling at him. “He’s the most eligible bachelor in town.”
He chuckled. “Grace didn’t think so.”
Grace’s face turned pink as she flushed. “Hey now. I was and still am dating someone else.”
“My loss.” Matt turned his attention back to Hope and eyed her. Now that’s who I should’ve asked out. All those gorgeous black curls would look fantastic splayed over my pillow.
Hope was momentarily speechless. Holy shit. Was this her life now? Hearing Matt’s unguarded thoughts was unsettling. What would he have done if he’d heard her first thoughts about him? Drag her off to his beach house? There was a reason people didn’t just blurt out every thought they had. It wasn’t civilized.
“Did you want to join us?” Grace asked.
Hope shot her a glare, but she was too busy focusing on Matt to notice.
“Sure.” He took the empty seat next to Hope and placed his coffee cup on the table. “How’ve you been, Hope?”
“Good.” She took a sip of her coffee and stared out the window at the incredible view.
“I heard the open house at Against the Grain was a huge hit,” he added. “It’s all anyone is talking about this morning.”
She turned to stare at him. “It is?”
“Sure. A couple members of the bird watcher’s club were out front talking about it, and earlier when I stopped at the post office, the lady in front of me was raving about the new woodworker in town.”
Hope snorted. She just bet she was. “The bird watcher’s club? None of those ladies were there last night.”
“They were reading the glowing writeup about it in the Premonition Perspective.”
That was the gossip rag in town that came out once a week. “At least it was positive.”
“Oh, our bestie is the talk of the town,” Grace said. “Hope, I bet your voicemail is going to be overflowing with new clients later today.”
“We’ll see,” Hope said, brushing off the prediction. She was still certain that most everyone was just wagging their tongues about Lucas moving back to town.
“I hope you’re not too busy for dinner,” Matt said, giving her a sexy half smile.
Witching For Hope: Premonition Pointe, Book 2 Page 4
