This Can't Be Love

by Maria Geraci

  Sarah hadn’t had a traditional upbringing, probably because Olivia Jamison hadn’t been a traditional mom. She could still remember the looks on the other kids’ faces whenever she told them that no, her parents weren’t divorced because they’d never been married to begin with. Today, no one would bat an eyelash, but twenty years ago? Things had been different then.

  According to her mom (who always believed in telling the absolute truth with no sugarcoating), she and good old Dad had met at a party. He was an engineer working on a contract with NASA and on temporary assignment in nearby Cape Canaveral. They’d “hooked up” (yes, those were her mother’s exact words) and spent a fun couple of months together. Something had happened with the birth control (at which point in the story, Sarah had begged her mom to omit the details) and Olivia had wound up pregnant.

  Marriage had never been on the table. Olivia wasn’t in love with Robert Beachum and he wasn’t in love with her. He was an attractive man who made her laugh, but that was it. Other than the sex, the two of them didn’t have a lot in common, so why get married just because there was a baby on the way? Especially when you knew the marriage was never going to last.

  It made sense, really. Olivia was a modern, educated woman. She had a master’s degree in Library Science and made a decent living. If Robert wanted to “chip in” and help out financially, then great! He could be as involved (or uninvolved) in his baby’s life as he wanted to be. No problem. Olivia had this covered. So, when it was time for Robert to go back to his regularly scheduled life, he left Cocoa Beach and Olivia and Sarah, and never looked back.

  Sarah couldn’t blame her father, really. Olivia hadn’t wanted him in her life and he wasn’t a jerk. Despite the fact that Olivia had never asked for child support, he nonetheless contributed to Sarah’s financial upbringing. When she had needed braces, Dad had paid for them. He’d flown her up to visit him at least once a year and came down to see her whenever he could. But then life became real. He got married and had three more kids, and his visits to Cocoa Beach became less frequent. Their relationship evolved into a nice sort of politeness void of any real father-daughter emotion. She barely knew her three half-brothers and she had absolutely nothing in common with her stepmother, Melissa, who was a stay at home mom and president of the local garden club.

  It was okay, though, because she and Mom were a team and Dad was, well…Dad. He did the best he could with the cards he’d been dealt. She appreciated the financial support he’d given her growing up and wished him nothing but the best. She’d continue sending him Father’s Day cards. They always exchanged gifts at Christmas, and he’d never once forgotten her birthday. Who knew? Maybe one day they’d grow closer. Or maybe not. It’s not like she needed anything more from her father this late in her life.

  After the near boob attack her junior year of high school, Sarah had avoided boys. Until she couldn’t really avoid them any longer. She knew she was pretty, in a totally bland kind of way. She was petite and blond and most guys seemed to like that sort of package, so she got asked out a lot. But no one inspired her to say yes, until she met Christopher, a sous chef who worked with her on the cruise line. He was funny and cute and made her pulse race whenever she was near him. Plus, he made the most spectacular French onion soup she’d ever tasted. She was twenty-two and still a virgin, and it seemed past time to do something about that. The sex had been nice, but after just a couple of weeks he began to hint that he might be falling in love with her.

  She hated hurting his feelings but she didn’t feel the same way, so when an opportunity came to take a job on shore, she’d gone for it. It was the perfect excuse to break up. Christopher had been teary-eyed at their goodbye, but all Sarah had felt was relief. The next few years had been busy. Lots of different jobs, lots of hard work, but no more boys. Every once in a while she’d be tempted to go out with a fellow co-worker or a nice man she’d meet through mutual friends, but in the end the whole thing seemed like too much work.

  She was almost thirty years old and she’d never fallen in love. Maybe there was something wrong with her. Maybe she’d inherited her mother’s unconventional genes. Or maybe she’d never met the right man. Until now.

  Except what she felt for Luke couldn’t be called love. But lust, yes, most definitely. And it wasn’t just about his looks. He was gorgeous, no doubt about it, but there was more to it than that. She’d discovered the night of the Toby incident that he was a decent guy and that she liked him. And then he’d kissed her and she’d discovered that they had chemistry with a capital C. No one, not even Christopher, had made her feel the way she’d felt after kissing Luke.

  The truth was, despite his cluelessness when it came to the women in his life, she liked almost everything about him. From the OCD way he always put his toothbrush back in the same exact place on the bathroom counter, to the way he tiptoed around late at night when he thought she was sleeping so that he didn’t disturb her. She liked the way his skin crinkled around his piercing blue eyes when he smiled. The way he smelled. The way he tasted. All of which added up to the fact that Sarah had it bad.

  And now here she was putting together a romantic picnic dinner for the man she was lusting over to share with another woman. It was as if the fates were laughing at her.

  She had the food all ready to go bright and early Saturday morning. Mimi was going to pick it up and bring it to Luke, who was already at the marina in Destin, but when Mimi came by The Bistro, she mentioned that Jenna’s favorite dessert was chocolate cake.

  “Do you think you could make one before noon? That’s when Luke plans to take off,” Mimi said. “I hate to ask you on such short notice, but I just want this date to be perfect.”

  There was absolutely no way Sarah could make a cake this morning, not while she was working, but she took pride in this basket. There was a cold roasted chicken, her signature mac and cheese, Asian pear and arugula salad, crusty French bread, and a raspberry cream tart that she happened to know for a fact Luke couldn’t get enough of (despite his healthy eating, he’d nearly devoured half of the one she’d made last week). But, hey, if Jenna wanted chocolate cake, then, by all means, Sarah would make sure she got her chocolate cake.

  “No problem,” Sarah said, forcing a smile. “But it’ll take a while to get that together.”

  “Oh! Yeah, sure.” Mimi glanced at her watch and frowned. “Darn it, I just remembered I have a big appointment and there’s no way I can come back to pick up the basket and drive to Destin in time for their date. I hate to ask, but would you mind dropping the basket off for me?” She pulled a piece of paper out of her tote. “Here’s the address.”

  The whole thing was incredibly inconvenient, but Mimi had been so nice to her. “Um, sure. I get off at eleven so I can swing by the marina and drop the basket off then.”

  “You’re the best!” Mimi said.

  * * *

  “Why didn’t you just tell her there was no way you could make a chocolate cake with this late notice?” Lucy asked.

  “Because failure is not an option.” Sarah had called Heidi’s Bakery and gotten them to deliver a small chocolate cake for two. She arranged the cake box into the large thermal basket, careful to keep everything from shifting. She’d also added a small bottle of champagne and two plastic flutes. All that was missing was a couple of condoms.

  She scrubbed that vision out of her brain.

  Her reputation was at stake here. She’d make the best and most delicious romantic picnic basket in the history of picnic baskets. Even if it killed her.

  It was a little past eleven and The Bistro was still busy. Sarah had been here since five and this was supposed to be her short day this week, but she still felt guilty for leaving Lucy and Allie with so many customers.

  “Are you sure you’re okay if I leave?” she asked Lucy.

  “You’ve already put in over sixty hours this week. Go! Deliver the basket and then take some time off for yourself. It’s gorgeous outside. I’d be in my bathing suit
right now if I didn’t have to be here.”

  Lucy was right. Sarah needed time away from this place. She pulled off her apron, picked up the basket and her beach tote, and headed out the door.

  The marina in nearby Destin wasn’t big, so she easily spotted Luke. He was standing in front of a large boat, the name Martha Sue clearly visible from the side. He wore board shorts and a white T-shirt with canvas sneakers and aviator sunglasses, which made him look incredibly hot. More so than normal, that is.

  He took one look at her, shook his head, and began to laugh. “I have no idea why you’re laughing but I’m thrilled that I could make your day.” She thrust the picnic basket at him. “Mimi couldn’t make it so she asked me to bring you this.”

  “Thanks. But don’t be mad. I had nothing to do with this.”

  “Do with what?”

  “We’ll both find out soon enough,” he said mysteriously. Was she missing something here? Luke glanced toward the parking lot and then back to the boat. “Looks like Jenna’s running late. Want to check out the boat while I put this basket in the cooler?”

  She knew he’d spent the last week working hard to bring the boat up to snuff, plus, she was curious. She wasn’t really a boat person, but she loved the water, so why not? “Okay.”

  He helped her climb aboard then gave her a swift tour. “This is a thirty-one-foot Bertram. A good model, but she’s an old boat. Almost forty years old to be exact. Still in great shape, though. I replaced the motor and had her all checked out.”

  The pride in his voice made her smile. “Is this the first time you’re taking her out? I mean, you know, solo?”

  He nodded. “Gramps and I used to take her deep-sea fishing. I have a lot of good memories on this boat.”

  “I’m sure you’ll make lots of new memories now that you’ve got her all fixed up. When you make the time to come back here, that is.”

  His eyes flashed with some unnamed emotion that made her wish she hadn’t added that last part. He probably couldn’t help that his work schedule kept him from coming home as often as he’d like. “Okay, thanks for the tour! Have a great time today.” She gingerly made her way off the boat and was about to walk back to her car when she heard a familiar voice shouting.

  “Luke!” It was Mimi. She ran through the marina parking lot waving her arms wildly in the air. “Sarah! Thank God you’re still here. I’m so glad I caught you both. You’re not going to believe this. Poor Jenna has come down with the stomach flu.”

  Luke hopped down from the boat and onto the dock. “I was wondering how you were going to play this. Not too shabby, sis.”

  “Play what?” Sarah asked, confused. “Is Jenna going to be okay?”

  Mimi ignored her brother. “Oh, yes, of course! It’s one of those twenty-four-hour bugs. You know how it is! Nothing some fluids and a day spent in bed won’t take care of. But, of course, there’s no way she can make it today. No way at all,” she added dramatically.

  “That’s too bad,” Luke said, sounding more amused than worried. “But I wonder why she called you and not me.”

  “She probably forgot your number. Good thing she has me on speed dial, since she’s the city manager and I’m the mayor.”

  “Why didn’t you just call and tell me Jenna couldn’t make it?” Luke persisted. “You didn’t have to drive all the way out here.”

  Sarah was wondering the same thing, especially since Mimi had that “important meeting” she couldn’t miss.

  “Oh, it’s no problem.” She looked up at the sky. “My God, what a gorgeous day! It’s such a shame that Jenna is sick. What with all the work you’ve done on the boat and all the work Sarah has done to create that absolutely scrumptious basket.” She glanced between Sarah and Luke. Her eyes widened and she snapped her fingers. “Say! I just got this fabulous idea. Sarah should go on this date instead.”

  “Me?” Sarah glanced down at her Got Coffee? T-shirt and cargo shorts. “I’m not really dressed for a day out—”

  “You got a bathing suit on you?” Luke asked. “If not, I’m sure my sister has conveniently brought one along that you could borrow.”

  Mimi ignored the sarcasm in her brother’s voice. “As a matter of fact, it just so happens that I do have a spare bathing suit on me.”

  “Imagine that,” Luke said dryly.

  “I have my own suit in the car, but thanks.” What on earth was going on here? Other than the obvious, which was that Mimi seemed to be pushing her on Luke, but that made no sense.

  “Great,” Luke said, “then let’s get this party started.”

  Just like the dance on the night of the silent auction, there was no good reason to refuse him. “I was going to the beach this afternoon, but I guess a day on a boat would be kind of nice.”

  “That settles it!” Mimi said gleefully. “You two kids have fun!”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Sarah grabbed her beach tote and headed into the marina bathroom to change into her bathing suit, slathered on enough sunscreen to kill a moose, then slipped a pair of shorts and a tank top over her bikini. Was she really doing this? She was going to spend an entire day with Luke. Alone. On his boat. Heaven help her but she was in big trouble.

  He steered the boat out onto the open water and for a long time neither of them said anything. He’d been right about the weather forecast. The day was hot, but sunny and clear with not a cloud in the sky. He stood behind the console, his big hands gripping the steering wheel with confidence. A gentle breeze tousled his brown hair and if she’d thought he looked sexy before, that was nothing compared to now. Big trouble? Ha. That was putting it mildly. If he kissed her again, she’d be putty in his arms.

  He drove the boat around several small islands, giving her a history of the area. He was friendly and knowledgeable enough to make an impressive tour guide. She wanted to ask him what he thought about the scene back at the marina, because, come on, it was so obvious that somehow his sister had manipulated them into this situation. But why?

  Not for one second did she believe that Jenna was really sick. For one thing, Mimi’s face was probably more transparent than Sarah’s. Secondly, she didn’t know Jenna all that well, but Sarah was pretty good at reading people and, from what she’d seen so far, Jenna had the kind of personality that wouldn’t allow something as insignificant as a mere germ to ruin her plans. No. If Jenna Pantini wanted to be here, not even the Ebola virus would get in her way.

  They’d just returned to open water when they encountered a pod of dolphins. Luke slowed the boat to a stop so she could take pictures with her cell phone. Mom would love this.

  “Are we going somewhere in particular?” she asked him once he started the boat up again.

  “I thought we’d go to Crab Island.”

  Crab Island, it turned out, wasn’t really an island. It was a giant sandbar located at the entrance to the bay where dozens and dozens of boats floated in the shallow, crystal-clear blue water. There were people snorkeling and swimming and walking through the waist-high water, a floating restaurant where a band was playing Jimmy Buffet, and even a giant inflatable obstacle course.

  “This is awesome,” Sarah said.

  Luke nodded. “I hoped you’d like it.” The way he said it made her think that he’d designed this date just for her. But that was wishful (not to mention crazy) thinking. Nothing about today had been planned for her, so it was probably best not to read too much into his statement.

  He anchored the boat, then pulled off his T-shirt and handed her a mask and fins. “There’s some really pretty underwater scenery around here. You’ve snorkeled before, right?”

  She made a disgusted sound under her breath. “I’m a native Floridian. What do you think?”

  He grinned and then she took off her shorts and tank top, leaving her in nothing but her red bikini. The grin slowly faded and his look became openly appreciative. Good gravy. Luke Powers was Checking. Her. Out.

  She took a big breath.

  Well, of cou
rse he was checking her out. He was a healthy, red-blooded male and she wasn’t exactly a troll. And the bikini was, well, on the skimpy side. It had been expensive for all its lack of material, and an impulse buy. One that she’d questioned more than a couple times, but right now, the way he was looking at her, she couldn’t regret blowing her budget to buy it.

  Since he was familiar with the area, she let Luke lead the way through the warm water. They snorkeled near the edge of the coast, next to some rocks. A tiny seahorse swam by and, as Sarah reached out to touch it, she couldn’t help but laugh in delight.

  Afterward, they waded their way over to the floating bar where the band was now playing reggae music. The smell of coconut oil filled her nostrils and the salty breeze floated over her skin as they listened to the island rhythm. They made friendly small talk with other couples and Sarah hadn’t felt so relaxed in ages, except every once in a while he’d look at her as if…as if he wanted to kiss her again. If he did, she wouldn’t just be putty in his arms. She’d kiss him back and demand a whole lot more.

  The band finished their set and announced they were going on break.

  “Are you hungry?” he asked.

  “Starving,” she admitted.

  They swam back to his boat. She dried off and slipped on her tank top while he fetched the cooler and set up their meal. The sun was beginning to set and it suddenly occurred to Sarah that she was now the woman in the Luke/Jenna fantasy she’d created in her mind. Woman sitting on Luke’s boat wearing a bikini. Check. Basket of delicious food. Check. Romantic sunset. Double check.

  How had today happened?

  “About this afternoon at the dock,” she began.

  He poured them each a glass of champagne and handed her one. “Yeah, Mimi never could act worth a damn.”

  “I don’t understand. Why would your sister make all that up? About Jenna being sick?”

  He screwed up his face. “Because she’s a hopeless romantic.”