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

by Novak, Brenda

Finally, they completed the task.

  “I can’t believe this has come together after it looked like everything was falling apart,” she said, stepping back to admire the shop.

  “Sometimes good things fall apart so that better things can come together.”

  “Like this.”

  “Like us.” He reached for her hands, only she was still holding her paintbrush.

  She grimaced. “Sorry.”

  He started laughing. A true from-the-soul laugh. “No. It’s perfect. I think it’s a sign.”

  “A sign? I’m not sure a handful of wet paint is a good sign.”

  He held his hand out and shook his head. “Now that’s a matter of perspective. You see,” he said stepping closer to her, “they say love…real love…is messy.” He swept his finger across her nose and then across her lips. “Maybe we’re on the path to something very special.”

  “You did not just do that.”

  “Yeah. I think I did.”

  “Is this the adult version of pulling pigtails?”

  “You’d look totally hot in some pigtails.”

  She raised the paintbrush in her hand.

  “You wouldn’t,” he said.

  “Wouldn’t I?” She took a step forward to match his step back. “Come here, superhero. Let me put a big S on your chest.”

  “Only if you’ll let me put a kiss on those lips.”

  This was totally unexpected, but in an amazingly great way. She’d felt something, a spark, but was trying to convince herself that he’d been such a help at just the right time that it was appreciation, not something bigger. But maybe it was. Last night couldn’t have been better if they’d planned it, but the fact that it hadn’t been planned made it all that more special. It had been spontaneous and easy.

  She wiggled her shoulders and took another step toward him with the paintbrush high in the air like a torch lighting her way, a nervous giggle taunting him as she moved closer.

  He stood his ground. Tempting her to come forward.

  She took the next step, but in one motion he swept her off her feet into his arms. He’d moved so fast, the paintbrush fell from her hand. “Now what, Missy?”

  “No S?”

  He put her down but didn’t release her. Instead he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. And this kiss swept her away like the biggest wave as the tide shifts, tugging you out in a riptide…a little helpless and yet a thrilling yet dangerous ride you can never forget.

  Then he pulled her hand in his, wet paint and all, and traced an S on her shirt with his finger.

  “I was going to do that to you.”

  “S for special.” He laced his fingers between hers. “I just want to hold your hand and sit here taking in this moment.”

  “I might just let you, because I’m not sure what could make tonight any more special.”

  “I think we’re ready for the final inspection now,” he said.

  Oh, she was ready for so much more.

  ***

  The next morning Elli went down the final list for the inspection and realized she’d forgotten to pick up the fire extinguishers from the hardware store. She couldn’t take a chance on the inspector coming first thing in the morning and not having them, so she texted Pam.

  Elli: I know it’s the crack of dawn. I need to borrow something. You up?

  Pam: I am now. What time is it?

  Elli: 6

  Pam: Ugh

  Elli: I need to borrow two fire extinguishers. I forgot to pick mine up from the hardware store and the inspection is this morning.

  Pam: Meet me. Spa. 7.

  Elli: You’re not going to believe my night.

  Pam: Tell!

  Elli: See you at 7.

  Pam: That’s not fair. Make it 6:45.

  Elli knew that would get Pam’s night-owl butt out of bed. She did love good gossip, and she was a hopeless romantic. If anyone would appreciate what was going on between her and Brody, it would be Pam.

  She jumped in the shower and got dressed, but with still plenty of time to spare she couldn’t just sit here waiting. She was too nervous and excited about the inspection…not to mention last night. She couldn’t wait to tell Pam about Brody. He wasn’t at all who she’d have pictured as her own Mr. Perfect, but he made her feel everything she’d never felt before. And that felt right.

  Elli got in her car and drove down to the spa. The restaurant opened at six so she’d grab a cup of coffee and wait for Pam there.

  “Just one?” the host asked.

  “Yes, please. And I’m meeting Pam. If you can just let her know I’m in here when she gets in that would be great.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  But that ma’am thing sure took the sizzle out of that eye candy in a hurry. Polite was great, but if she felt old she could imagine how the older ladies felt. She followed the young man to a small two-topper near the windows. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. Alex will be your waiter, but can I get you some coffee for now?”

  “Yes, thank you.” She turned her cup over on the table, and he was at her side in an instant with the carafe.

  “I’ll just leave this for you.”

  “That’ll be perfect.” She might even forgive him for calling her ma’am for leaving the whole pot of coffee. She didn’t know why she was so nervous about today’s inspection. Just one last hurdle. They’d gotten so much done, and quite frankly even if the inspection didn’t pass they had plenty of time to get everything done and still be on schedule for an on-time season launch. Things were fine. More than fine, really.

  Brody had made her feel so alive. The plaza project, and last night was unexpected and perfect.

  “Excuse me. How are you doing?”

  She looked up and her mood sank. “I’m fine, Holden.”

  “Can I sit down?”

  She didn’t see why she should let him. Maybe if she took long enough to answer he’d just move on.

  “I’ll just be a moment,” he said as he slid into the seat across from her.

  So much for that strategy.

  “I thought we had a good time that night over dinner.”

  Was he actually going there? She never was good at hiding her feelings, so she could just imagine the look on her face right now. “You mean the perfect pull-out-every-romantic-trick-in-the-book dinner the night before you ruined everything I’ve known in Sand Dollar Cove? That night?”

  “It wasn’t personal, Elli.”

  “Wasn’t it?”

  “No. I was hired to do a job. That was not an easy decision.”

  “And if it was such a business-focused decision why didn’t you tell me? It wasn’t like you didn’t have time. You could have said something the day you carried the SandD’s Gift shop sign for me. Over dinner. On the beach.”

  “I didn’t want to ruin a perfect night. I told you that I’d missed you.”

  “I remember. I was there.” But she sure wished she wasn’t here right now.

  “Can’t you at least let me explain?”

  She folded her arms across her chest. “Go on.”

  “Coming back to head up the commission for economic development seemed like a no-brainer for a local like me. I was ready to come home and be closer to my parents, and I’d kind of hoped you’d still be around.”

  “I really find that hard to believe.”

  “Elli, I know the old pier is legacy here in Sand Dollar Cove. It’s special to a lot of people, not just you. It wasn’t an easy choice.”

  “You made it look effortless.”

  “It wasn’t, and quite honestly, it’s all worked out even better for the shops. The plaza, that place is going to be perfect. Everyone is talking about it.”

  “No thanks to you.”

  “So, what? You can forgive Brody Rankin for swooping in and saving the day so he can schmooze in a few points with the locals before his company moves to town. I heard he pitched an annual skimboarding competition. I’m sure he wants to do it down at
the cove.”

  Her heart lurched to a stop. So what? “Wait. What did you say about Brody?” She sat forward. “No. Never mind. You leave Brody out of this conversation.”

  Holden leaned back in his chair. “Oh. I get it now. You like him.”

  “That is none of your business.”

  “Amazing. Going for the rich guy. Guess I hadn’t made it big enough for you. I kind of thought the house would’ve impressed you. But I can’t compete with a corporate jet and a multimillion-dollar company.”

  Elli felt like she was in the middle of a pinball game and Holden was just beating the flappers senseless. “I have no idea what you are talking about.”

  “Wait. Really? You don’t know that he owns R waveSTYLE, and that they’re closing a deal right now to build an East Coast distribution center out in the new industrial park here in town?”

  Her mouth was moving, but nothing was coming out. Why wouldn’t Brody have told her about that? Holden had to be mistaken. Brody wasn’t…but then what did she really know about him, except that his dad had died. They used to work construction. She knew a lot about his past, not so much about the now, except for the part where he’d swept her off her feet. “Are you sure we’re talking about the same person?”

  “Google him. Good luck with that.” He’d practically barked the words at her. Her mind was tossing possibilities around, and nothing was making sense. She pulled her phone out of her purse and opened the browser.

  Brody Rankin.

  She clicked on images. There he was. A page of pictures of him. In a suit. At charity events. Riding the waves. With beautiful women right and left. Most eligible bachelor. Shirtless on the beach. In front of R waveSTYLE.

  “Hey girl!” Pam tapped her wrist. “Right on time. Are you impressed?” She slid into the chair that Holden had just abandoned.

  Elli swallowed, trying to shake the thoughts from her head and push them aside. She had things to do. Important things. “Yeah. Good.”

  “What’s wrong with you? You’re acting like someone slipped a mickey in your coffee or something.”

  “Yeah. I kind of feel like that.” She wiped her hand across her forehead.

  Pam looked worried. “Are you serious? Are you okay?”

  “No. Yes. I’m fine. No one drugged me.”

  “Get up. Come on, let’s have coffee in my office.” Pam waved one of the waiters over to help them. “Bring some coffee and ice water to my office, would you?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Elli and Pam walked back out front and down the hall to her office. “What’s going on? You sounded fine when you texted me less than an hour ago.”

  “Holden stopped by while I was waiting on you.”

  “That jerk. He’s not trying to mess up the stuff with the plaza, is he? Because I’ll call —”

  “No. No, he actually wished me well. Said the whole pier thing wasn’t personal.”

  “Whatever. Don’t let him ruin your day. Everything is going your way. And tell me about your night.”

  Elli leaned forward with her elbows on her knees and covered her eyes. “Why am I such a fool when it comes to relationships?”

  “I’m sorry. I’m just not following you.” Pam picked up a glass of water. “Here, take a sip.”

  “I had the most amazing night with Brody last night. He made me feel things that I have never felt before. I mean, like seriously, never.”

  “That’s good. Right?”

  “Just the touch of his hand on mine. Skimboarding in the moonlight. Silly, stupid stuff. He put paint on my nose. It seemed perfect. So, perfect. And yet he’s not the kind of guy I’d have ever even considered going out with.”

  “That’s okay. Sometimes we don’t know what we want until we find it. Sounds like you found it, so why are we so upset?”

  “Holden said that Brody is really here in town because his company is getting ready to open a big East Coast distribution center here.”

  “He’s R waveStyle?”

  “You know about that?”

  “Sure. It’s been all the talk. I mean I don’t think it’s been announced that it’s a sure thing, but folks are hopeful. It’ll bring great things to our region.”

  “Then why didn’t he tell me?”

  “You’ll have to ask him that.”

  “Why bother? I can’t be with someone who would lie or mislead me. It’s Holden all over again.”

  “Now wait a minute, Elli. I understand this catches you off guard, but he didn’t lie. He’s a rich, successful guy, but you fell in love with who he is, not what he does for a living.”

  “I thought he was just some surfer guy with a super big heart.”

  “And he probably is. The fact that he came in by charter instead of on a bus didn’t tip you off just a little? I mean, even I thought that was a little weird.”

  “I guess I didn’t really think about that.”

  “Don’t let Holden mess this up for you too. I’ve never seen you happier than what you’ve been since Brody hit town. Plus, Nana adores him. That has to be good for something. She has a great intuition about people. She never did like Holden, if you remember.”

  “True. Well, I guess I better just get through this inspection. Heck, he’ll be gone anyway. You should see all the stuff online about him. He’s not going to settle in Sand Dollar Cove or with a simple girl like me.”

  “I’m sorry, Elli. I really am.”

  “Me too. I’ve got to go.”

  “Hang on.” Pam pressed the speaker button on her phone.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Can you get someone to take two fire extinguishers out to the car in the visitor spot right next to mine?”

  “On it,” the voice came back over the speaker.

  “Okay, so that’ll just take a moment. But get your head back on straight here before you leave. Y’all have done an amazing thing down there. You’re a good team. You got a whole building renovated in less time than it took me to just paint. Where was he when I was starting my project?”

  “Guess he couldn’t use your land to have his big annual skimboarding competition.”

  “You don’t really think he needed to manipulate you for that, do you?”

  “I really don’t know what to believe. I thought I’d found him on Facebook. Totally random. It feels very set up now.”

  “You look beat.”

  “I am, but I’ll be okay.” Elli got up and took her keys out.

  “Just promise me you’ll slow down and listen to all the facts before you do anything crazy.”

  ***

  It wasn’t fifteen minutes after Elli hung the fire extinguishers on the hooks installed for them that the inspector walked in.

  The man had to be close to retirement age. His blue Dockers and white shirt were starched stiff, and his tie was a little too short for a man of his height. One of her pet peeves.

  “Good morning. I’m so glad you could get here so early. I’m excited to get this last inspection done and start moving forward.”

  “I’m sure you are. You sure did slap this up in a hurry.”

  “Well, we had a lot of hands and man hours. If we stretched that out to work days by spreading the allocated time over —”

  The inspector held up his hand.

  “Too much?”

  “Yeah. It was just a comment. I wasn’t asking for a math word problem.” He started walking through the space, marking on his clipboard.

  She didn’t mean to upset him. “I can assure you we took every precaution to be sure we stuck to code and did things right. It was a true team effort. Kind of like an Amish barn-raising.” Her heart two-stepped, thinking about the first time Brody had compared their project to that. It had seemed so special.

  “This isn’t a barn,” the inspector said matter-of-factly.

  “No, but if a town can build a barn from scratch, why not a small set of shops where there was already a foundation?”

  “When was this space last used?”<
br />
  “Years ago.”

  “I see all the wiring was upgraded. Nice work.”

  Thank goodness Brody had decided to upgrade those things as they went along. The price now was way less than a repair later.

  The man scribbled on that clipboard like a madman. The pen made loud tap and scratch sounds as he did and that was rattling her.

  The more he wrote, the more she felt like she might just faint from the anticipation of it all. “Can I get you some coffee? Sweet tea?”

  “Won’t be here that long,” he said, never taking his eye off the outlets.

  Elli quit puppy-dogging him around. She wasn’t helping. Plus her knees felt like they wouldn’t hold her much longer. She probably should have eaten something this morning.

  “Well.” He walked back toward her, still writing something and then fumbling with some pages at the bottom of the clipboard.

  Please don’t let it be something big.

  “Here you go.” He handed her a card stock form. “Keep this on file.”

  “We’re done?”

  “Yes. I’m shocked. You had a top-notch project manager. That’s for sure. No shortcuts.”

  “Thank you!” She hugged the inspection sheet. “Thank you so much.”

  “Good luck. I’m excited to see how things go down here. When I was a kid, this part of the cove was the place to hang out. Your granddad was the coolest guy around.”

  She walked the inspector to the door and then sat on the floor and cried. Pops. This is for you.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Elli swept at her tears when she heard the front door open.

  “You in here, Elli?”

  She really wasn’t ready to talk to Brody yet.

  “There you are. Hey, what’s wrong? Are you crying?” He raced over to where she was still sitting in the floor. “You are. Was the inspector here?”

  “Just left,” she said, trying to control her voice.

  “It can’t be that bad. Let me see. We can fix whatever it is. Don’t be upset.”

  “It’s not that. We passed.”

  “We did? That’s awesome! Are those happy tears?”

  She laughed and then the real sobs just overtook her.

  He took her into his arms, and stroked her hair. “What the heck is wrong?”