The way his eyebrows scrunch together in confusion shouldn't be so adorable. Neither should the careful way he wipes his hands on his apron before leaning towards me across the counter. Ever since our date at The Siren's Song—where we'd talked until the owner had practically shooed us out, then spent another hour walking along the beach—I've discovered Grant Pierce has an entire collection of expressions that make my heart do cartwheels.
And don't even get me started on his kisses. Each one feels like the first time in the music room—electric and sweet, and somehow both careful and consuming at once. The way his strong hands cup my face, how he tastes like whatever flavor he's been sampling that day, the little sound he makes when Irun my fingers through his perfectly styled hair... It's addictive. Dangerous. Like my own personal flavor of ice cream I can't get enough of. Even now, watching him lean across his cart so his fitted shirt shows off his shoulders, I have to fight the urge to pull him closer.
"That sounds like something from a children's book," he says. "Though, given what I've learned about Magnolia Cove so far, I'm guessing it's real?"
"Very real. The town sets up these enormous screens on the beach after dark. Everyone brings blankets and watches classic films under the stars." I rest my chin in my hand, fighting a grin. "As the new guy, I thought you might want a heads-up. You know, so you can prepare your cart accordingly. People love treats at the Movie Munchies Madness."
"How thoughtful of you." His voice is dry, but his eyes are sparkling. "Are you offering this friendly warning before you've called dibs on renting a prime spot, or after?"
"Actually, I was thinking we might want to work together this time." I trace a pattern on his counter with my finger. My friends' voices echo in my head—Zoe's dramaticfraternizing with the enemy!followed by her gently elbowing me and sayingbut honestly, you two are cute together.Rhianna's endless stream of romance novel comparisons. Even Mia had pulled me aside to say she's never seen me smile so much.
They're right, of course. What started as attraction has grown into something deeper, something that makes my heart race every time he looks at me like he is now—like I'm some wonderful surprise he can't quite believe is real. "My snow cone cart's been doing pretty well lately, but it might be nice to join forces instead of compete. Who knows? Maybe we'll both sell more if people don't have to cross the beach to choose between us."
His eyebrows shoot up. "Rachel Williams, suggesting cooperation? Should I check for signs of fever?"
"Oh, shut up." I flick water at him, and he catches my hand, his thumb brushing over my knuckles in a way that makes me shiver despite the summer heat. "I'm just being practical. And maybe..." I bite my lip. "Maybe I enjoy working with you."
His expression softens. "I enjoy working with you too." Then a slow smile spreads across his face. "Tell you what—I'll give twenty-five percent of my proceeds to your fund. We can set up together, share supplies..."
"Really?" I straighten. "You'd do that?"
He shrugs, but the tips of his ears turn pink. "Seems like the right thing to do. Besides," he adds with another wink, "I hear the company will be excellent."
"The Princess Bride?" I call over my shoulder, watching another group settle onto their blankets. "Really?"
"It's a classic! It's inconceivable you wouldn't like it!" Grant's laugh carries across our shared space, where we've arranged our carts to create a cozy little alcove. Strings of lights twinkle overhead—Zoe's contribution, along with her unsubtle thumbs-up when she'd seen us together. "Besides, what's wrong with a little romance and some comedy?"
"Nothing." I hand a cherry snow cone to a waiting customer. "I just wouldn't have pegged you as an Inigo Montoya fan."
He gasps and leans closer to me, then delivers a line in perfect imitation of the actor. "You killed my father. Prepare to die." My laugh cuts off because he's close enough that I can smell his cologne mixing with the sweet scent of ice cream. "Let me guess? You had me figured for something more... pretentious?"
"The thought may have crossed my mind." I bump his shoulder with mine. "Though that was before I knew about your secret fairy tale obsession."
"Not a secret anymore," he says with that confident half-smile that makes my stomach twist. "I'm now openly pro-happily-ever-after. New year, new me."
"It's summer."
His only answer to that is a laugh and a wink that sends a chill down my spine all the way to my toes. Before I can respond, someone clears their throat behind us. We spring apart like guilty teenagers, and I turn to find Rhianna watching us with undisguised glee.
"Don't let me interrupt," she says, bouncing on her toes. "I just wanted to see how the happy enemies-to-lovers arc is progressing."
"Don't you have a library to run?" I ask pointedly.
"It's after hours." She grins. "Plus, Zoe bet me a dozen of her to-die-for chocolate chip cookies you two would make heart eyes at each other all night. I had to verify for myself."
Grant chuckles as she practically skips away. "Your friends are..."
"Impossible?" I suggest. "Nosy? Completely lacking in subtlety?"
"I was going to say 'entertaining.'" He prepares another cone. "Though I could have done without Tom's shovel talk at The Hungry Gull yesterday."
I groan. "He didn't."
"Oh, he did. Very thorough. Something about having access to a variety of tools and knowing all the best spots to hide a body?"
"I'm going to kill him."
"Please don't. I actually found it kind of sweet." His hand finds mine between our carts. "They care about you. It's nice."
