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Oliver nodded but still looked unimpressed. Carly didn’t necessarily disagree with her friend’s opinion. She’d have hoped that the town would have hired someone who knew the history and culture of Port Serenity. But she suspected Sebastian’s appeal was his young age and more professional appearance. Their latest poll suggested that their marketing campaigns appealed to an older demographic, and with an aging population, Carly knew the town was hoping to bring in a younger crowd. Tourists needed to be a renewable resource, otherwise the industry would suffer. Repeat visitors would only spend their limited vacation dollars on this Alaskan trip for so long before wanting something different.
And nothing was ever different in Port Serenity—at least, not until Sebastian showed up.
“Well, you’ve come to the right place,” Carly said in the awkward, tension-filled silence. “And actually, this is Oliver Klein, the local lighthouse keeper. He is quite knowledgeable as well,” she said, ignoring the look Oliver shot her way. The two men seemed to be getting off to an inexplicably prickly start, and they’d need to work closely together as well. The lighthouse was a big part of the community. A peacemaker and people pleaser at heart, Carly didn’t do well with conflict, and the awkward tension simmering between the two men was making her uncomfortable.
Sebastian turned to Oliver with a look of interest now. “Oliver Klein. Great to meet you. I was actually planning to come see you.” Gone was his slight air of arrogance, replaced by a tone of comradery.
Odd.
“Oh?” Oliver asked, seemingly more distrusting now.
“Yeah, there’s a few things I’d like to discuss and I’m dying for a tour of the oldest lighthouse in Alaska.”
Well, he’d done his research on something, at least.
“Tours run four times a day,” Oliver said. Then he caught Carly’s pointed stare and cleared his throat. “Of course, you’re welcome to stop by anytime.” The offer was said begrudgingly.
But Sebastian smiled. “You’ll be seeing me.”
“Wonderful.” Oliver glanced at his watch. “I should get going,” he said to her, then paused. “But, uh, about this year’s festival float...”
“It’s okay if you don’t have time to help,” she said quickly. He always built the basic structure for her floats, but he never liked participating in the events. He seemed to hold Sealena personally responsible for the disappearance of his wife and daughter, and anything to do with the Serpent Queen just stressed him out.
Which was why she hadn’t shown him the picture of her dressed as Sealena, even though it was by far the sexiest she’d ever looked in her life.
“A float for the parade! That sounds fun,” Sebastian started. “I’ve never built one before.”
Oliver glared at the man before he cleared his throat. “No. I’m in. Like always,” he told her.
She wasn’t sure what had spurred the commitment that he usually tried to weasel out of, but she’d take it. She’d take any opportunity to spend time with him, and secretly, she hoped he’d eventually move forward from some of the things he was struggling to hang on to, like his pain and clinging to the past. Start to open up and enjoy life again, like he used to. “Great. Thank you.”
“Yeah, I’m just a little worried about these dimensions you texted me,” he said, showing her his cell phone. “Did you really mean to go this big?”
She nodded. “I measured the street, taking into account the pedestrian viewing area—it will work,” she said, answering the argument she knew he’d have.
“Means we can’t use the float base from last year,” he said, running a hand through his hair and staring at the dimensions.
“I thought maybe you could build a new one?” she asked hopefully. Now that he’d committed to helping, she was pushing her luck.
He sighed, but nodded. “No problem.”
“I can help. I’m pretty handy with a hammer,” Sebastian said.
“I got it,” Oliver countered.
Sebastian raised his hands in peaceful retreat. “It’s all yours.”
“I should go,” Oliver said again.
“Tell Tess I’m looking forward to seeing her later today.”
“Will do.” Oliver nodded and waved as he headed back down the street toward the diner. Carly watched after him, perplexed by the odd interaction. His attitude had been almost territorial; she wasn’t sure why he seemed so put off by Sebastian. Maybe just that the two of them were so obviously different.
“So? What do you say? Think you could help me with a crash course in all things Sealena before the store opens?” Sebastian asked, stealing her attention. His charming smile and easygoing demeanor were back.
She checked her watch. They had forty minutes. They’d barely scratch the surface, but they had to get started if he was going to help make the season a successful one.
“Of course. Come on in.” She moved back to let him enter and sighed, knowing her special delivery bacon-and-egg breakfast sandwich had just become lunch, or quite possibly dinner.
