Page 92 of Flirting with Trouble

“I was in Trista’s café this morning getting coffee, and the air was buzzing about our Wells being hit by Cupid’s arrow,” Mrs. Smythe says. “I’m happy to see it’s true. They don’t make ’em any sweeter than this young man.” She touches my arm.

“I agree,” Victory says. “I’m a lucky lady.”

“Don’t let her fool you. I’m the lucky one.” I go for a change of subject before things get awkward. “How is your granddaughter?”

“Missy is a hoot,” Mrs. Smythe says. “And your nephew, little Stevie?” She puts her hand over her heart. “What a doll baby he is. Maybe one day you two will give him a cousin.”

Jesus. “How about we make it through the weekend first?”

Amusement rises in Victory’s eyes.

“Of course. I didn’t mean to push,” she says. “It just comes naturally when I talk about grandbabies. I’d like to have a house full of them. But enough about me and my nana needs. Is there anything I can help you find, Victory?”

“I was about to take a look at your footwear,” she says.

“And a bathing suit,” I add. “Something skimpy.”

“No,” Victory says with a playful lilt in her voice. “Something not too skimpy, please, or knowing this guy, we’ll never leave the boat.”

“That’s a good problem to have, honey,” Mrs. Smythe says. “Let’s start with footwear. Are we dressing the outfit up with wedges or strappy sandals or keeping it casual?”

“I’m here for the weekend and looking at other outfits, too, so maybe a cute sandal and something comfortable for knocking around town.”

“I think we’ve got just the thing. Come this way.” As we follow her to the footwear, she says, “We got a shipment of the cutest Keds slingbacks yesterday, and we have an array of strappy sandals.”

Victory’s eyes shimmer with delight. “You had me at Keds.”

When we leave the shop, Victory is wearing new lingerie, which I can’t wait to strip off her, the outfit she tried on, and white slingback Keds with navy polka dots. We bought two more shorts outfits, more lingerie, sandals, a sexy pink bikini, and a breezy white skirt.

“I love that woman,” Victory says.

“You love that she had Keds,” I tease, taking her hand.

“That was a definite bonus, but I like that she knows you so well. It’s nice.”

“Silver Island, where everyone knows your name and your business.”

Main Street is bustling with tourists. Open flags wave by the entrances of shops, and window boxes are overflowing with colorful flowers.

“Isn’t that Leni’s sister, Jules?” Victory asks as we head down the sidewalk.

I look around the family in front of me and see Jules standing next to a stroller, putting sunglasses on one of the two iron giraffes by the entrance to her gift shop, the Happy End. Red balloons dance from strings tethered to the giraffes, matching the red-framed picture windows on the shop.

“Yeah. That’s her gift shop.”

“I know. I went in with Leni last time I was here. She has the cutest stuff.”

Jules looks up as we approach. “Hey, you guys!” Her hair is pinned up in her signature water fountain on top of her head, and she looks cute in shorts and a flowy top. “Bellamy told me your secret.”

“It’s not much of a secret anymore, Jules.” I lift our joined hands.

“Good! I’m so happy for you!” Jules hugs me. Then she hugs Victory and lowers her voice like she’s sharing a secret. “I have been pulling for you two since the holiday party. Sparks were flying, and at Sutton’s wedding I thought for sure you’d end up together.”

“I tried to escape his charm, but he was relentless,” Victory says.

“Don’t listen to her, Jules. She practically stalked me.”

“I did not.”