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At the elevator, she smiled, that wicked expression scattering his thoughts. “Part of the small-town charm, Mr. Upton. Everyone is sure they know your business.”
Suddenly, she pressed close to his side, her hand linking with his. When she looked up at him, he saw affection and interest she’d never aimed at him before. And then he heard the voices, understood what prompted the change from sassy teasing to fake devotion.
Fake, but delivered with an expertise that left him wishing it was real.
Playing along, he dipped his head and brushed his lips over hers. Nothing false about the sizzle that shot through his system. Thankfully, some previously untapped willpower eased him back, keeping the gesture light.
The elevator arrived and Lila chatted breezily with the family that had joined them. They were taking in a few days of sand and sun before heading back to the northeast for the resumption of school.
He listened while Lila made a few suggestions and then marveled as they parted ways with the family in the lobby.
“You’re an excellent Brookwell ambassador,” he said.
She gave a little curtsey without missing a stride as they walked out into the sunny, cold day. “Thanks. Tourism is the lifeblood around here. I’ve been well-trained on that issue.” She stretched her arms wide and took a deep breath. “Walk or drive?”
“If we’re staying around town, I vote we walk.” There had been times during the cruise that the yacht had felt too small, as if he couldn’t stretch his legs. Which was ridiculous, since they stopped frequently for any number of entertainments and activities. “Do you miss the yacht?”
Her laughter rang out, as clear as the sky overhead. “Not even a little.” She took his hand once more, as if that’s what they both wanted. “I’m a landlubber at heart. The kitchenette in the suite feels like an upgrade and we both know it’s a fraction of what I had to work with on the yacht.” She tipped her face up to his. “Are you eager to get back?”
“Not exactly.” She clearly wanted him to elaborate. “Juliet and her husband are great. The assignment is a good one. Weird but good.”
A frown pleated her brow. “Weird how?”
He had to drag himself away from the study of her freckles. “It’s like a yo-yo,” he said after a minute. “On the yacht we’re practically off duty, but then we go into shore and we have to be sharp and alert.” And right now, he needed to ignore the soaring blue sky, the swaying palms, and the sexy woman beside him. He needed to stay sharp and watchful for anyone taking too much interest in Lila.
Up ahead, the tree-lined street gave way to a town center that was straight out of a seaside painting. Clean bright storefronts marched along in neat rows. Traffic moved at a sedate pace onCentral, the main street connecting the island to Charleston. “Were you born here?”
“No. Why?”
“Because I have yet to see a hospital.”
She pointed down a side street that moved toward the center of the island. “There’s a shiny new clinic down that way, along with most of the basic medical professionals the community needs. Charleston is where we go for serious stuff.”
“So you were born in Charleston?”
That frown reappeared and she tried to shift away from him. He held her close. For appearances, obviously.
“No,” she said, not really relaxing. “My parents moved around a lot,” she said. Her gaze drifted toward the shops then across the street, where the food trucks had been last night. “Eventually, I moved here. Living with my grandparents gave me the stability I needed in school and… and in life.”
Questions rolled through his mind. Questions for her and for Connor. He could hardly judge her for a rough homelife. And he was proof that a person could rise up out of unpleasant circumstances and become productive.
He could see the sign for the bakery over the door and unless he was imagining it, he was sure there was a hint of warm cinnamon in the air. To his surprise, she turned at the corner and steered him over to a bench. Immediately, he switched his focus, searching for the threat. But he didn’t see anything or anyone.
“Problem?”
“Gram was serious about me staying away. And I wanted to take a few minutes just to see how foot traffic is at this hour. January isn’t thick with tourists, so this is mostly local business.”
He stared down at her. Couldn’t help it. This side of her was new and intriguing. Too many people were sure they wanted to run a business. Confident they could do it. Lila Copelandhad clearly given her choices a great deal of time and thought. She might look relaxed to any passersby, but he could feel her intensity and focus.
“This isn’t just you stepping into the family business,” he observed after several minutes. This mattered to her. “You have plans.”
She glanced his way, her eyes sparkling. “You have no idea. Tropical chocolate croissants are only the beginning.” She wriggled in the seat, her thigh gliding along his. “Or strudel,” she amended with a small shrug. “I’m not going to undermine what makes the Bread Basket great, but I do want to put my stamp on it.” She sighed. “Eventually. Right now, I really want another cup of coffee, but I promised to keep my distance.”
“From the coffee shop?”
Her nose wrinkled. “From town. All the shop owners talk. Gram will know I was here.”
“But you’re supposed to be showing me around.”
