Forever Summer - Melody Grace Page 0,88
had come through with a rave review after all! There was even a photo of Evie on the front porch, pulled from the Beachcomber’s social media, along with the story of how she’d bought the property for a dollar. “I can’t believe it, I thought for sure she’d stormed off in a huff! I guess the old biddy has a soft side, after all.”
“Or she knew your story was a surefire seller,” June replied with a smirk. “But either way, the Beachcomber is officially on the map. Literally, too. Franny is drawing up the new tourist guide, and she has you in a prime listing.”
“What will that mean?” Evie asked. Knowing Franny, it probably made her head of some committee.
Sure enough, June smiled. “I’m betting she’ll think of some way for you to repay the favor. How do you feel about potlucks?”
Evie bought a dozen copies of the magazine and another case of champagne to celebrate before heading back to set up the picnic tables and decorations on the beach. By the time Noah returned from the wholesaler with enough food to feed an army—or half the town—the Beachcomber was ready for the party, and Evie … was just a little drunk, dancing to the music as she shimmied around inside, setting out cake and snacks.
A chuckle behind her made Evie turn. It was Noah, leaning in the doorway, watching her with a curious smile on his face.
“I’m getting the strongest sense of déjà vu,” he said.
Evie remembered the night they had first met and laughed. “I’m wearing more clothes this time,” she teased, giving her party dress a twirl.
Noah gave her a smoldering grin. “For now …”
She looked around. It was hard to believe how far the Beachcomber had come since then. And how far she and Noah had come, too. “You know, when you showed up, I thought you were just a condescending, grumpy guy,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck. “And annoyingly handsome.”
Noah laughed. “Well, I thought you were stubborn and irresponsible. And annoyingly beautiful,” he added, taking her hand and spinning her around. “But I couldn’t stay away.”
“Me either,” Evie said happily. “Thank you.”
“For volunteering to go to Costco to pick up supplies? You’re welcome.”
“For everything.” Evie reached up on her tiptoes and kissed him, slow and sweet. “I don’t know how I would have done all this without you.”
Noah laughed. “You’re forgetting you had all this planned long before I came around. I’m just along for the ride.”
“You do make it more scenic,” Evie agreed, as the sound of people arriving came from out front. Still, she couldn’t help stealing one more kiss. “Let’s safe that ‘fewer clothes’ part for later …”
As it turned out, Evie shouldn’t have worried about nobody showing up: friends and neighbors came, and they just kept coming, filling the back porch and beach until it seemed like everyone in Sweetbriar Cove had stopped by to celebrate.
“I love this wallpaper!” Poppy exclaimed on one of Evie’s dozen or so tours through the inn.
“Well, I love this couch,” Summer said, swooning onto it. “And these cookies.”
Mackenzie laughed. “You made them!”
“Oh. That must be why. But seriously, Evie, you’ve done an amazing job,” Summer added. “Grayson and I will definitely be checking in for a little staycation—when you have any vacancies.”
“Maybe sometime next year,” Evie suggested, laughing, as Mackenzie steered her into the hallway.
“I hear you’re joining us for a family dinner this week,” Mac said. “And there are a few things I should warn you—”
“Bring a Ziploc to hide the leftovers, don’t look at the art, and never let Noah’s mom talk about babies?” Evie replied.
“You’re a fast learner,” Mackenzie said, looking impressed. “Welcome to the family.”
Evie smiled at that. “Don’t let Gayle hear you say that kind of thing,” she said, teasing. “Rule number three, remember?”
“Don’t let me hear what?”
They spun around. Noah’s parents had just arrived. “Hey guys!” Mackenzie cried. “Let me get you both a drink. This way.” She dragged them away before Gayle could sink her teeth in.
“I’ll find you later,” Gayle called back to Evie. “We have lots to talk about!”
Evie gulped. Lots of wildly inappropriate things, she was sure. But since Mackenzie was running interference, she wasn’t going to waste a moment. Evie headed outside to the porch, where the guys were hanging out. Noah was drinking beers with Cooper, Jake, and Aidan. “I hope you’re bragging about your handiwork on the renovation,” Evie told Cooper, who gave a grin.
“Bragging’s not my style.”
“Ha!” Poppy