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That exact phrase had been painted in several spots on Erickson Pier and also at mini-golf. No points for creativity.
Connor took a few pictures before picking up the trash. About halfway through, he caught a flash of something against the sunlight. Bending down, he picked up a necklace half buried in the rubble. A cheap stainless-steel chain with a baseball with the Philadelphia Phillies’ P on it.
He and Jason had been all over this area multiple times and never seen this. Could one vandal be a kid?
Connor placed the chain in a pocket of his cargo shorts. He’d mention it to Jason later tonight, and they could give it to Ethan. It may not mean anything, but if it could help them find whoever was responsible for the vandalism, Connor was all for it.
Chapter Nine
Rather than grabbing a couple hours of sleep like she wanted to, Abby had risen after she kissed Connor goodbye. Now, freshly showered and dressed, she stood in front of the coffee maker as the first drops fell into her mug. Once it reached about three-quarters of the way full, she swapped out the mug with the pot, grateful for the sneak-a-cup feature. She added creamer and sugar and took a greedy sip. It was going to be the first of many cups she’d need today.
The view of the bed caught her eye, with its sheets rumpled from an early-morning round of sex.
Marvelous sex with Connor.
She could barely believe it had happened. After taking another mouthful of caffeine, she picked up her damp dress from the chair where she’d dumped it when she and Connor returned last night. She’d barely had time to remove it before he was dragging her into the shower, all hard and ready to go again.
There were notable differences in Connor. The obvious, of course, was that he wasn’t using. He’d also only drunk one beer, changing over to soda or water even when everyone around him was drinking shots and second and third rounds of beers.
Then there were the physical changes. Younger Connor was thin…too thin. She knew it bothered him, which was why he’d worn baggy shirts. Whenever she could, she’d bring him leftovers from her house, because it was rare for him to eat three full meals a day.
Now he was all lean muscle, backed with bulk he hadn’t had in his younger years. And while he still had a flat stomach, it wasn’t from lack of eating. His ripped six-pack was rock hard and sexy as hell. Even his thighs had filled out, powerful as he held her when they made love in the ocean…and in the shower.
Just thinking about it got her hot for him again, and she busied herself changing the sheets on the bed.
But it was more than the sex. While he’d always been quick to laugh and make jokes, he now had focus…purpose. He took his job seriously and worked hard. She’d seen him when he was working on the Erickson Pier renovation. At first, she thought it was all fluff because he and Jason co-hosted Beach House Flippers. She’d assumed they read off the cue cards and, when the cameras were turned off, let the teams do the work.
She’d been wrong.
They banged, nailed, sawed, and did whatever was needed to get the job done. Both on and off camera. They directed the team, advised, and chipped in. And when that work was done, they did more.
Now, they’d set up shop on Pelican Bay and bought several properties on the island to renovate. Smart move on their part. There was plenty more to snatch up, too. For Sale signs could be seen everywhere. Truth be told, the town needed businesses like theirs, that could front the cost of the renovation and sell at a reasonable price, to draw people to the island.
Connor had gotten his shit together.
Unlike her.
Which was why Soap Sisters needed to be a success.
She finished making the bed and straightening up the room before heading downstairs, coffee carafe in hand. She’d made a full pot, enough for Natalie, and assuming Emma, Maddy, and Jenna were coming over like they’d planned yesterday.
They’d all had a good amount to drink last night between the margaritas and shots. Abby had stopped drinking earlier than all of them, and her midnight swim plus multiple orgasms at the hands of Connor left her tired but not hungover.
The door opened, and Natalie came in carrying a huge purse and a bag of bagels, with Emma and Maddy lagging behind her.
Emma walked slowly, without her usual pep, and although Maddy wore sunglasses, it did nothing to hide her pale complexion.
Maddy dragged herself onto a stool at the worktable and lowered her head onto her arms.
“Rough morning, ladies?” Abby said.
Emma grunted and held her head. Maddy moaned from beneath her arms.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Abby said. “Coffee or something cold?”
“Coffee,” Emma said.
Maddy kept her head down but put a thumb up.
