Forever Summer - Melody Grace Page 0,44

fire.

“The Sandpiper Stay?” Evie asked, trying not to notice the way he licked a crumb from his fingertips.

“No, the other place with the model trains,” Noah said with a chuckle. “The owner was quizzing us about our wedding plans.”

“And you had to tell her we were getting married while skydiving!” Evie groaned, remembering. She’d barely been able to keep from laughing as Noah had spun a tall tale about their plans.

Noah smirked.“What, you’re not into living life on the wild side?”

“Umm, thanks, but I think I prefer to stay on solid ground.” She took a sip of tea, wishing she felt anything like solid. How was it that Noah looked even more handsome now that he’d pulled on a chunky sweater? It really wasn’t fair. “So, which was your favorite place?” she asked, trying to stay focused. After all, that’s what the afternoon had been about: research. For the inn.

Not drooling over the way Noah looked in cable-knit.

“The place with that bed,” Noah replied immediately, a teasing smile on his handsome face. “Who could resist a canopy with tiny heart prints? They matched the wallpaper with massive heart prints. And the pink bedding? Spectacular.”

“I’m being serious!” Evie protested, imagining Noah surrounded by all that pink. Something told her he could pull it off. “I’m looking for tips for the Beachcomber, here.”

“OK, OK …” Noah settled down. “I guess I liked the last one best. It was simple, kind of beachy. It felt like you could relax there without being stared down by a haunted doll,” he added with a grin.

“That was my favorite, too.” Evie said, pleased. In a parade of old-fashioned chintz and ruffles, it had stood out with its fresh, clean design, and she already had a ton of ideas how she could manage the same effect at home— with her own spin, of course.

“And did you get a look at the price list?” Noah added with a whistle. “They’re charging through the roof. I guess people will pay extra to avoid the ruffles.”

“Wouldn’t you?”

“I don’t know.” Noah shot her a smoldering grin. “I’m warming to them now.”

Evie cleared her throat. He wasn’t the only one getting hotter. Her temperature was downright blazing every time he flashed her that smile.

Easy there, she reminded herself. You’re taking things slow.

But still, curled up there on the couch together, she couldn’t help feeling like they were the only two people in the world. The fire was flickering in the hearth, the rain was beating against the windows, and she could have happily stayed snuggled there all night.

Or in a guestroom upstairs …

She glanced up and found Noah looking at her. Their eyes locked, and she could have sworn the air sizzled between them with a new, urgent spark.

Evie lost her breath with wanting him. Suddenly “slow” was the furthest thing from her mind. If she just leaned a few inches closer—and tilted her lips up towards his. She found herself drawn, like gravity, lost in his eyes …

Closer, closer …

“Noah Montgomery!”

An enthusiastic voice broke through her lustful reverie, and Evie jolted back to find a middle-aged woman bearing down on them. “I knew that was you in the lobby earlier,” she exclaimed. “Did I hear you right when you said you were getting married?”

Noah gave an audible gulp.

“Congratulations!” the woman continued, before he could get a word out. “I can’t believe I didn’t hear sooner, but look at you two lovebirds, what a blessing.” She glanced past them to the door. “Uh oh, I have to run, but I’ll be calling your mother for all the details!”

She bustled off, and Noah exhaled with a groan. “Who was that?” Evie asked.

“A friend of my parents,” he replied, grimacing. “I’m never going to hear the end of this.”

“Whoops?” Evie offered, feeling bad. He’d asked her out on a simple dinner date, and now, somehow, she’d gotten him tangled up in an even bigger ruse than before.

Noah gave her a rueful grin. “Call it karma. That’s what I get for spinning tall tales all day.”

“The boy who cried newlyweds?” Evie quipped.

“Exactly.”

Their eyes caught again, and her heart beat faster. Who was she kidding? The time for pretending had long since passed. Evie was pretty sure she wouldn’t have to fake being totally smitten with this man.

But then Noah cleared his throat and looked away. “You know, it’s getting late,” he said abruptly. “We should probably make a move.”

“Right, sure,” Evie said, quickly, like she hadn’t been thinking about checking into the hotel for the