by Kay Lyons
Mac didn’t budge and Carter was aware of his pointed glare. “What?” he asked. “Afraid I’m going to mack on your drunk sister?”
When both Lincoln and Mac glared at him, Carter sighed. “I’m not into Marsali, okay? She’s cute but too sweet for my tastes. I like a little more spunk. I’m just going along for kicks.”
Mac’s gaze narrowed, but after a moment, he seemed to accept Carter’s words as truth, and the three of them made their way through their respective houses to properly lock up before meeting outside of Mac’s, where they climbed into his large SUV.
Getting to the hotel didn’t take long, and as they entered the lobby, feminine laughter filled the atrium. Carter spotted the ladies immediately, his gaze zeroing in on the brunette sitting with Marsali and Amelia. The woman’s smirk drew his attention, and once he was close enough to get a better look, he noted how her dark green eyes sparkled with amusement.
“Ah, there’s my handsome man now,” Amelia said, giggling. “Hi, future husband.”
Lincoln bent over the couch where Amelia sat and bussed a kiss over her lips. Carter watched the exchange, a tug of envy tightening his muscles. For all the talk and bluster and teasing, he envied the love Lincoln had found with Amelia. His brother had been blessed twice over with quality women, whereas Carter had chosen badly and ended up still single and struggling as a single dad.
“Eliza Bellefonte, my fiancé, Lincoln Hayes, and his brother, Carter. I think you know Mac?” Amelia said.
“The bachelors,” Marsali said. “You know, it reflects poorly on me that my own brother won’t let me match him up,” she said. “Or you,” Marsali said, pointing at Carter and waggling her finger. “You need to hire me.”
“I’ll find my own match,” Mac said to his sister. “And stop harassing my friends.”
“That’s what I said,” the other woman agreed with a nod of her tousled head and lift of her nearly empty glass. “Nice to meet you, though.”
Mac chuckled. “Eliza, you’re looking… happy.”
“That’s ’cause the check didn’t bounce and Bridezilla’s daddy was so happy to get her off his hands he gave us that to celebrate,” Eliza said, waving a manicured hand toward a huge bottle of Dom. “Oh! And Amelia and I made great progress in planning her two-week wedding.”
Cheers went up amongst the women once more, and they downed the last of their drinks as the guys watched with varying degrees of amusement and headshaking.
“Ladies, it’s been fun but I have had a long, exhausting day,” Eliza said. “Amelia, I’ll email you the contract tomorrow.”
“Thank you again,” Amelia said.
“You got it,” Eliza said. “Marsali, girl, we need to stop saying we’ll get together for that vacation and actually do it.”
“Agreed.”
“Eliza, how are you getting home?” Mac asked.
“Not going,” Eliza stated, setting her glass on the coffee table in front of them. “Perks of being a wedding planner. I get a room and a write-off when an event ends after a certain time. I just have to get to my room and remember not to skinny-dip in the hot tub on the way,” she said, scooting to the edge of the couch cushion.
Eliza wobbled as she got to her feet and, standing closest to her, Carter quickly reached out to steady her.
“Hmm. Hello. Who are you again?”
“Carter Hayes.” Carter ignored Mac’s glare. His buddy couldn’t claim “off-limits” on both his sister and her friend. That just wasn’t cool. “Nice to meet you, Eliza,” he said, sliding her arm through his. “How about I walk you to your room?”
I HOPE YOU ENJOYED ROMANCE RESET! IF YOU’D LIKE TO READ MORE CHECK OUT THE EXCERPT OF RULES OF ENGAGEMENT BELOW:
"Ah, there's my handsome man now," Amelia said, giggling. "Hi, future husband."
Lincoln bent over the couch where Amelia sat and bussed a kiss over her lips. Carter watched the exchange, a tug of envy tightening his muscles.
For all the talk and bluster and teasing, he envied the love Lincoln had found with Amelia. The high school sweethearts had parted ways back then but, twenty years later, were happier than he'd ever seen them.
His brother had been blessed twice over with quality women, whereas Carter had repeatedly chosen badly and ended up alone and struggling as a single dad.
Truth be told, he wanted what Lincoln had found, but after two tries, that didn't seem to be in the cards for him.
"Ahh, the bachelors," Marsali said, giving them a quizzical look along with a tilt of her curly head. "You know, it reflects poorly on me that my own brother won't let me match him up," she said. "Or you," Marsali said, pointing at Carter and waggling her finger. "You need to hire me. See how well I do?" she said, waving a hand toward the couple now snuggled up in the oversized chair where Amelia sat.
"I'll find my own match," Mac said to his sister. "And stop harassing my friends for clients."
"That's what I said," the brunette agreed with a nod of her finger-mussed hair and lift of her glass.
Mac chuckled. "Eliza, you're looking… happy."
"That's 'cause the check didn't bounce and Bridezilla's daddy was so happy to get her off his hands he gave us that to celebrate," Eliza said, waving a manicured hand toward a huge bottle of Dom sitting on the coffee table across from her. "Oh! And Amelia and I made some progress in planning her two-week wedding."
Cheers went up among the women once more, and they raised their glasses and downed the last of their drinks like sorority girls. The guys watched with varying degrees of amusement and headshaking.
"Ladies, it's been fun but I have had a looong, exhausting day," Eliza said. "Amelia, I'll email you the contract sometime tomorrow evening."
"Thank you again," Amelia said. "I'm so glad you agreed to be our planner."
"Yes, thank you," Lincoln said to Eliza.
"You got it," Eliza said. "Marsali, girl, we need to stop saying we'll get together for that girls' weekend and actually do it."
"Agreed."
"Hold up," Mac said. "Eliza, how are you getting home?"
"Not going," Eliza stated, setting her glass on the table. "Perks of being a wedding planner. I get a room and a write-off when an event ends after a certain time. I just have to get to my room and remember not to skinny-dip in the hot tub on the way," she said, scooting to the edge of the couch cushion.
Skinny-dip? Carter mused. He wouldn't mind seeing that.
Eliza got to her feet and wobbled, and standing closest to her, Carter quickly reached out to steady her.
"Hmm. Hello. Who are you again?"
Amelia introduced them and Carter ignored Mac's glare. His buddy couldn't claim "off-limits" on both his sister and her beautiful friend. That just wasn't cool. "Nice to meet you, Eliza," he said, sliding her arm through his. "How about I walk you to your room?"
KEEP READING THE MAKE ME A MATCH SERIES WITH RULES OF ENGAGEMENT!
MAKE ME A MATCH SERIES:
ROMANCE RESET
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
THE MATCHMAKER’S SECRET
PERFECTLY MISMATCHED
BY THE BOOK
MONTANA SECRETS SERIES:
HEALING HER COWBOY
IT HAD TO BE YOU
HERS TO KEEP
MILLION DOLLAR STANDOFF
HIS CHRISTMAS WISH
THEIR SECRET SON
THE SEASIDE SISTERS SERIES:
THE LAST GOODBYE
LATTES AND LULLABYES
MAP OF DREAMS
WORTH THE RISK
LOST LOVE FOUND
TAMING THE TULANES SERIES:
SMALL TOWN SCANDAL
THEIR SECRET BARGAIN
CROSSING THE LINE
THE NANNY’S SECRET
SOMEONE TO TRUST
THE STONE RIVER SERIES:
WORTH THE WAIT
NOT BY SIGHT
THROUGH THE VALLEY
LEAD ME NOT
CHRISTMAS AT HOLLY WOOD
THEIR CHRISTMAS MIRACLE
SECOND CHANCES
SMALL TOWN SCANDALS SERIES:
BRODY’S REDEMPTION
FALLING FOR HER BOSS
WITH THIS MAN
SECRET SANTA SERIES:
SECRET SANTA
SECRET SANTA II: A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER
Books Also Set in Carolina Cove
THE SEASIDE SISTERS SERIES:
THE LAST GOODBYE
LATTES AND LULLABYES
MAP OF DREAMS
WORTH THE RISK
LOST LOVE FOUND
WANT TO READ OTHER BOOKS SET IN MY FICTIONAL COASTAL TOWN OF CAROLINA COVE? CHECK OUT AN EXCERPT OF THE LAST GOODBYE:
Dominic Dunn hit his turn signal and waited for a family of five to cross the sidewalk before he turned into the Carolina Cove Inn lot and parked, dread filling his stomach. Just the sight of the happy families and tourists wandering the sidewalks, lounging on restaurant patios, and enjoying the lively Saturday night left him angry. He should've ignored the letter. Ignored his next-door neighbor and best friend, ignored his boss and coworkers who said he had to honor Lisa's last request and come here.
"Mister? You gonna get out?"
The boy's voice startled Dominic and he turned to see a kid around eight years old watching him. The salt-air breeze blowing through the open windows of his car brought with it the smell of fried foods from the restaurants nearby, and seagulls squawked as they flew overhead.
"Mister?"
"Yeah," Dominic said, only then realizing he'd pulled into a parking place and was literally sitting there with his foot on the brake as he debated his choices of whether to throw the new car in reverse and floor it to get out of Carolina Cove as quickly as possible… or stay the prepaid two weeks Lisa had booked for him before her death.
"Doesn't look like it. Are you drunk?"
A rough-sounding chuckle left his chest. "Do you get a lot of drunk people here?"
"Sometimes."
"I see. Well, I'm not drunk. Just trying to decide if I want to stay here."
"Oh. You got a reservation?"
Did the kid ever stop asking questions? A memory formed, that of his son, Elijah, at the same age. "Yeah, I do."
"Then why don't you wanna stay?"
Dominic glanced at the clock and noted the time. If he left now, he'd add another six hours to his drive from Atlanta. Not how he wanted to spend what was left of the day. Maybe he should spend the night and head back to Atlanta first thing in the morning? "You've convinced me. I guess I will stay."
"I'll show you the way to the office."
"Do your parents know you're out here near the street? You're awfully young to be wandering about on your own."
The kid’s shoulders squared and he lifted his chin to a defiant angle.
"I'm almost ten."
He looked younger, maybe because of his small stature. "Well, almost ten or not, there are a lot of strangers milling around, and it's not safe for kids these days. Are you visiting?" He sounded like an old man talking about "the good old days" but it was true. What kind of parent just let their kid wander the streets in a beach town full of people, some of whom probably waited on the opportunity to grab a kid and head out of town?
"No. I live here. You coming or not?"
The kid had spunk, Dominic had to give him that.
He rolled up the windows of the Porsche 911, killing the powerful engine with another press of a button. He felt a little conspicuous driving the flashy car, but he had to admit he loved the power. Just like Lisa knew he would.
He opened the door and climbed out of the low vehicle, yet another thing to get used to after driving a family-friendly SUV for so many years.
"Wow. You're tall. My mom is too. I hope I'm tall when I grow up."
Dominic locked the car and fell into step behind the boy. "I see the sign for the office. You can head home if you like."
"No. I need to check in anyway." The kid turned around and walked backward, rolling his eyes in classic kid fashion. "Or my mom will freak out and call the police again."
Again? "Does that happen a lot?"
"Her calling the police or freaking out?"
"Take your pick."
"Yeah."
Yeah to… both? Dom bit back another chuckle. Given the kid's intrepid personality, he probably kept his mom busy.
The kid flipped face-forward and Dom watched as the boy ran up the two steps leading to the office. He yanked open the door.
"Mom! Reservation!"
Dom noted the wide southern porch with its rocking chairs and a few chairs and tables before he followed the kid inside, well able to see why Lisa had liked the inn so much if the porch and office interior were anything by which to judge. It was her style of decorating. Beachy but understated.
The office walls were a soft gray with blue and sand-colored accents. There was a comfortable-looking couch and chair in the waiting area, a rope swing hanging from the ceiling in front of a painted mural of the beach and ocean behind, and on the opposite side, a coffee bar, popcorn machine, and snack area with a couple of parlor-type tables and chairs.
"Mom!"
"Samuel, how many times have I told you? No yelling. Inside voice," a woman stated as she appeared from a hallway behind the chest-high desk.
Dominic stilled, uncomfortable with the stomach-punching fact he found her beautiful. He'd guess her age to be early to mid-thirties, tall like her son said, at around five eight. Her auburn hair was scooped back and held at her nape, but curly tendrils framed her face and highlighted striking eyes that matched the blue of the ocean painting behind the check-in area.
"But, Mom, you have a reservation and sometimes don’t hear me."
"A— Oh,” she said, locking gazes with Dominic. “Sorry about that. Welcome to Carolina Cove Inn. I'm Ireland Cohen, the manager."
He forced himself to focus on her name rather than her beauty. "Ireland? Like the country?"
"Yes."
"Unusual name."
"Unusual family," she said by way of explanation. She flashed them both a smile. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long?"
"Not at all. Samuel kept me company."
"Mom, you should see his cool car! I'll bet it goes really fast. Does it?"
"It does."
"Maybe you'll take me for a ride sometime?"
"Samuel."
"I'm leaving tomorrow."
"Oh."
"And even if he wasn't, Samuel, that's not something you ask our guests. We've talked about this, remember?” the boy’s mother said while sliding her son a stern glare.
"Yes, ma'am."
Samuel glanced at Dominic and rolled his eyes, and yet again Dom found himself stifling a chuckle. And wondering at the last time he'd laughed so much in such a short span of time. "Tough break, kid."
"Let's get you checked in. Name?"
"Dominic Dunn."
"Domin—"
His name ended with a gasp and Ireland's eyes filled with tears. She blinked rapidly and managed to keep them from falling, but in that instant, he knew she recognized him—and knew his reason for being there.
CLICK THE LAST GOODBYE TO KEEP READING!
Also by Kay Lyons
MONTANA SECRETS SERIES:
HEALING HER COWBOY
IT HAD TO BE YOU
HERS TO KEEP
MILLION DOLLAR STANDOFF
HIS CHRISTMAS WISH
THEIR SECRET SON
THE SEASIDE SISTERS SERIES:
THE LAST GOODBYE
LATTES AND LULLABYES
MAP OF DREAMS
WORTH THE RISK
LOST LOVE FOUND
TAMING THE TULANES SERIES:
SMALL TOWN SCANDAL
THEIR SECRET BARGAIN
CROSSING THE LINE
THE NANNY’S SECRET
SOMEONE TO TRUST
THE STONE RIVER SERIES:
WORTH THE WAIT
NOT BY SIGHT
THROUGH THE VALLEY
LEA
D ME NOT
CHRISTMAS AT HOLLY WOOD
THEIR CHRISTMAS MIRACLE
SECOND CHANCES
SMALL TOWN SCANDALS SERIES:
BRODY’S REDEMPTION
FALLING FOR HER BOSS
WITH THIS MAN
SECRET SANTA SERIES:
SECRET SANTA
SECRET SANTA II: A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER
MAKE ME A MATCH SERIES:
ROMANCE RESET
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
THE MATCHMAKER’S SECRET
PERFECTLY MISMATCHED
BY THE BOOK
About the Author
Kay Lyons always wanted to be a writer, ever since the age of seven or eight when she copied the pictures out of a Charlie Brown book and rewrote the story because she didn’t like the plot. Through the years her stories have changed but one characteristic stayed true— they were all romances. Each and every one of her manuscripts included a love story.
Published in 2005 with Harlequin Enterprises, Kay’s first release was a national bestseller. Kay has also been a HOLT Medallion, Book Buyers Best and RITA Award nominee. Look for her most recent novels with Kindred Spirits Publishing.
For more information regarding her work, please visit Kay at the following:
www.kaylyonsauthor.com
@KayLyonsAuthor (Twitter)
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FAQ
FAQ ABOUT THE MAKE ME A MATCH SERIES:
* * *
Is Carolina Cove a real place?
Carolina Cove is purely fictional; however, it is loosely based on one of my favorite places—Kure Beach, North Carolina. Kure Beach is home to a wonderful pier, a pavilion for special events like weddings and birthdays, swings facing the Atlantic, pelicans Pete and George, coffee shops, restaurants, and more. It’s also close to the North Carolina Aquarium, Carolina Beach, and Wilmington.
