Forever Summer - Melody Grace Page 0,7
school, and she could always be counted on for a cold drink—and hot gossip.
“So who’s burning up the headlines this week?” he asked as he looked for a place to dump the stack of listing magazines he’d hauled inside.
“It’s been rather quiet since the Kinsella boys sprung their holiday proposals,” June replied. She leaned against her desk, watching him do all the heavy lifting. “You’re the only one sending tongues wagging these days.”
“Me? What have I done?” he asked, adopting an innocent look.
June snorted with laughter. “Half the single women on the Cape, by the sound of it. Franny saw you canoodling that Keller girl last week. Hank thinks you’ve fallen for Marisa Sanchez and sworn off all other women. And I heard you left the pub with two of Lila’s Hollywood friends after karaoke last week,” she said, her eyes twinkling with mirth. “That sounds like the kind of fun I got up to in my glory days.”
Noah laughed. “I took them straight back to their hotel, thank you very much.”
He didn’t add that one of them had shown up on his doorstep with a bottle of champagne a half hour later, wearing nothing but a trench-coat.
Now that had been a party.
“So is there any truth to the rumors about you taking yourself off the market?” Aunt June continued, clearly fishing for information.
Noah shook his head, smiling. “Even if there was, you wouldn’t hear it from me,” he told her. “I don’t kiss and tell. I’m a gentleman, remember?”
“So you are.” June gave him an affectionate smile. “You’re not looking for a relationship, then?”
“Nope,” he said firmly. “I’m just keeping things casual.”
“And would that be casual with a redhead or a blonde, if you had your choice?” June asked, her smile turning speculative. “Do you prefer someone outgoing or more of a Miss Jones–type: you know, quiet and demure with a hidden wicked streak?”
“Why are you asking?” Noah paused. “Are you making friendly conversation, or writing me a dating profile?”
June laughed. “Just doing my research in case I can think of anyone to make you change your mind and settle down. It’s funny to see you as a playboy bachelor,” she added. “You were always such a sweet boy. A one-woman man.”
Noah’s smile slipped.
“Well, maybe I just wanted a change of pace.” He went to fetch another box before she could ask anything more, and thankfully, June was answering a call when he came back inside.
“I better get going,” he whispered, setting it down.
“Breaking hearts and taking names, I’m sure.” June looked amused. “Good luck out there.”
Noah left her charming an unsuspecting renter and went to go pick up his order at the pizza place on the corner. He found his cousin Mackenzie hanging out at the counter, snacking as she waited.
“Six pies?” she asked with a smirk, as the cashier assembled his boxes. “You won’t keep those abs like this.”
“Gee, thanks.” Noah reached over and stole a garlic knot from her plate. “They’re for the guys at the firehouse. It’s my turn to bring lunch.”
“The women of Sweetbriar Cove will breathe a sigh of relief.”
“Women are doing what now?” They were joined by Jake, Mackenzie’s boyfriend. She greeted him with a kiss.
“Falling all over my cousin,” she replied.
“How’s your fan club?” Jake teased. “We saw you fighting them off. I’m surprised they didn’t rip your shirt straight off your body. It’s that firefighter’s uniform, gets them all hot and bothered every time.”
“Just you wait until it’s your turn,” Noah warned him, smiling. Jake was one of their new volunteers, and Noah had been showing him the ropes at the firehouse. “I don’t know why everyone’s making such a big deal. I swear, nobody gave a hoot what I was doing before I moved away.”
“Yes, but now you’re all grown up,” Mackenzie pointed out. “A single, eligible man in Sweetbriar Cove will make headlines, every day.”
He nodded ruefully. “Even June was quizzing me for the inside scoop.”
“Well, duh.” Jake grinned. “It’s her life’s mission to interfere in everyone else’s romantic lives.”
“Everyone single, that is,” Mackenzie added, looking smug. “Those of us with the good sense to settle down get left well enough alone.”
“Yeah yeah, I get it, you’re blissfully monogamous.” Noah rolled his eyes good-naturedly at the two of them. “Spare a thought for the rest of us, who just want to have some fun without it hitting the Cape Cod Caller the next day.”
“You bumped Mary’s prized begonias from the front page?” Jake teased. “Way to go.”
“That reminds