Love on Beach Avenue (The Sunshine Sisters #1) - Jennifer Probst Page 0,45
So had his father, who’d chosen to be weak instead of strong when his wife died.
Carter would never allow himself to experience that type of pain again.
Ever.
“You okay?”
Her question startled him. He gripped the steering wheel and refocused. “Yeah, sorry. Daydreaming.”
She smiled. “About getting me to the beach? Dream on, because you’re going to lose.”
“Ah, so you are taking on the bet?”
She shrugged. “Why not? I know I’m going to win. What do I get when you lose?”
“What do you want?”
She tilted her head, considering. The heavy weight of her curls slid down over her shoulder, which was partially bared by the flimsy top. Her smooth, golden skin looked soft and touchable. “You get a full beach day.”
He frowned. “Thought that was my prize.”
Her smile was slow and triumphant. “With Zoe. You spend the whole day with her and take her to the beach.”
“Doesn’t seem so bad. I like kids.”
She looked startled. “You do?”
“Yeah, why wouldn’t I? Besides, I promised I’d hang with her at the beach. Works for me.” He almost laughed at her dejected expression. “Sorry to disappoint you. I can pretend it’s a horrible punishment.”
“I’m not disappointed, I’m surprised. Most men consider spending hours with a five-year-old torturous. I figured you didn’t mean it when you promised her.”
He pulled into the restaurant lot, parked, and cut the engine. Turning to face her, he made sure her gaze locked on his. “I never break a promise, Avery,” he said, the words as resolute as the vow he’d made years ago. “To anyone.”
Those hazel eyes widened, and he heard the small gulp of air as she sucked in her breath. For endless seconds, they stared at one another. Carter fought the impulse to lean over and kiss her. He imagined she’d taste like the spiced wedding cake he’d sampled—a bit of sweet, a bit of savory, and a whole lot of sass. The silence stretched. His muscles tightened. He moved an inch. One more.
Then pulled back. Shook his head. No way was he going to muck up his sister’s wedding by getting involved with the planner, who happened to be her best friend.
It was best to remember that.
“Let’s go eat,” he said.
He turned and got out of the car.
Chapter Ten
What the hell had just happened?
Avery sipped her wine and tried to relax. The restaurant was packed, but they’d scored a table on the porch, overlooking the sprawl of sandy beach and ocean. Golden lights glowed in the darkness, battling against the bright shine of endless stars stretched out in the sky. The entire aura reeked of romance and first dates, and here she was with a bag full of wedding work and a funny feeling in the pit of her stomach from their conversation in the car.
For just a moment, she’d experienced intense attraction. When Carter spoke his vow about keeping a promise, the implacable truth and determination shone from his carved features, sizzled from those misty blue-gray eyes, left free from his usual glasses. Within his words laced a passion that seemed hidden under the surface, and for a few precious seconds, she’d connected with that part of him.
And she’d wanted him to kiss her.
Holy crap.
She took a big gulp of wine and fumbled with the bag. Better to focus on work. Her fingers closed on a thick folder, but his deep voice made her freeze. “Later. Why don’t we order and enjoy our wine first?”
Reluctantly, she tucked the bag away and tried to avoid the low flicker of candlelight, soft violin music piping in from the speakers, and the sensual wash of breeze caressing her body. She cleared her throat. “I’m still shocked you got us a table tonight.”
“Your name is important around here.”
She rotated her wineglass in her hand. “Wait—what? You used my name for the reservation?”
His grin was filled with male satisfaction. “Of course. I told them we were dining tonight so I can try out their menu for a possible rehearsal dinner. They squeezed us right in.”
Oh, he’d played her well with this one. Implied he had magically snagged a reservation on his charm when he’d just lied and used her name. “You’re unbelievable.”
“I try. After all, this was one of the restaurants I mentioned in my texts you never replied to.” He flipped open the menu. “Any suggestions?”
She rolled her eyes at the unsubtle dig. “No. But I heard the fish-eye soup is good.”