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She laughed. “Do you want to come in?”
He shook his head. “Just wanted to drop it off before the crowd started to gather. We have four tour groups today,” he said, his voice revealing how he felt about it.
She knew he’d fought with the tourism office for years about the tours. He didn’t like doing them or having strangers in his home. Unfortunately for Oliver, the town had approved his living quarters off-limits, but insisted the lighthouse itself was the town’s property and part of the coast guard, so the tower and the history rooms were open to the public from July 1 until after Labor Day weekend.
Carly looked out past him for Tess. “Speaking of, where is the famous tour guide?”
“She’s at the diner, finishing her breakfast. She said to tell you that she’ll be here this afternoon to help you with Sealena School.”
Sealena School was the instructional course Carly offered two afternoons a week during high season to teach tourists about the history and mystery surrounding the Serpent Queen. Tess was the most Sealena-knowledgeable person in Port Serenity and Carly appreciated the little girl’s familiarity and enthusiasm, but... “You sure you can spare her?” If Oliver had to lead the lighthouse tour himself, those tourists would be getting a very shortened version. “I can ask Melissa to help.” Her seasonal help was turning out to be a fast learner, to Carly’s relief. She’d only had two shifts so far, but she’d caught on to the register immediately and didn’t mind cleaning between customers—when she wasn’t sneaking off to read a copy ofLove at Sea.
Oliver nodded. “I should pull my weight a little. Of course, my groups will be getting the condensed version of the tour,” he added with a smirk, confirming Carly’s suspicions and causing her heart to skip.
She loved that smirk. It was better than a smile because it was real and she knew few people got to see the real Oliver. He hadn’t always been so guarded. Years ago, he was lighthearted and funny and felt comfortable around anyone, in any social setting. Since the accident, he’d become more withdrawn. Choosy about who he spent time with. Who he trusted. Carly was honored that she’d made that inner circle. After losing Alison and Catherine, she wouldn’t have been able to cope with losing Oliver and Tess as well.
Which was why she kept her real feelings close to her chest, for fear of scaring him away. Having Oliver in her life as a best friend was better than not at all.
At least, most days she could convince herself that was true.
“How’s the new staff member doing?” he asked.
“She’s good. I’m not sure why I hadn’t thought to hire additional help sooner.” That year she’d had no other choice, for reasons she hadn’t yet disclosed to Oliver—or anyone.
“Because the store is the most important thing in your life,” Oliver said with a touch of respect in his voice.
Carly forced a smile. Oh, if only he’d allow her to change that.
“Hey, sorry to interrupt,” a voice said to their right, and they both turned toward it.
Dressed in a tan suit, light blue dress shirt open at the collar and dark brown leather shoes, Sebastian approached the store, looking a lot more professional than he had the night he’d rescued her from mortification at the pub.
Carly’s face flushed at the memory. “Oh... Hi, Sebastian. Good to see you again,” she said politely.
Just like the other night, she could appreciate his handsome looks, but there was not even the tiniest spark of interest that spurred within her at the sight of his dark blue eyes and dimpled chin. Especially when he was standing right next to Oliver. No one would measure up to her best friend.
How depressing.
“Nice to see you too. Although, I do miss the green hair,” Sebastian said with a charming smile.
“Green hair?” Oliver asked, eyeing the other man with an expression Carly couldn’t quite decipher. There was definitely a hint of judgment. And the way he’d folded his arms across his chest when Sebastian had appeared was telling. Oliver didn’t trust him.
Suits in the small town were generally a bad sign.
Sebastian returned Oliver’s appraising look, eyeing the casual clothes and seeming to deem Oliver as nonthreatening, then turned his gaze back to Carly. In the doorway, she shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other, feeling caught in a tense triangle of some sort between her friend (secret love of her life) and the new man in town, whom she’d be working very closely with that summer.
“What’s he talking about?” Oliver asked her, finally tearing his gaze from Sebastian.
“Long...embarrassing story,” she said quickly and dismissively to Oliver. He wouldn’t be impressed to hear about her participating in the Sealena costume contest. He wasn’t exactly a huge Serpent Queen fan. And if she’d been spared him having to witness her embarrassing moment, she’d prefer to keep it that way. “Oliver, this is Sebastian Grant—he’s the new tourism manager in town.”
Oliver seemed as surprised as she’d been that the town had hired someone so young and city-ish. But he seemed to relax slightly, his expression indicating he expected the guy to last a week at most. Carly wasn’t so sure.
“Carly here has graciously offered to help get me up to speed on the whole town’s mythology thing—as soon as possible with the festival in four weeks,” Sebastian said, sending her a look that definitely held more than just gratitude.
Carly felt her cheeks warm under the obvious attraction.
“You took the job not knowing anything about the town?” Oliver asked, a slight irritation in his tone. His guarded stance was back.
Unoffended, Sebastian had the decency to look slightly embarrassed. “I was the mayor’s second choice of candidate. Apparently, the first one had to turn down the position, so I only found out that they were reconsidering my application two weeks ago. There was only so much research I could do online before arriving here.”
