Flint glanced from one to another, nonplussed. “Wait a minute. Ivy, didn’t you throw Bennett out when he met me at your house on clean-up day?”
“A lot has happened since then,” she said, turning a deeper shade of pink.
That endeared her to him. Bennett touched her fingers, and he was surprised at how soft they were. “We’ve put that behind us.”
“Guess you guys didn’t need to be rescued after all,” Flint said. “I’ll stick to dolphins. They’re a lot less complicated.” He walked away, shaking his head.
Gently, Bennett took her hand in his. “I meant what I said. Next week?”
Her face bloomed with expectation. “Before or after the FBI invades my home and empties my basement?”
He chuckled. “Guess we have a few things to work around.”
“And I have to go back to Boston and give up my rental,” she said with an apology in her voice. “Shelly, too.”
“We’ll figure it out.” He could wait. He’d already waited ten years to have a woman in his life.
As Carlotta sailed through the room, resplendent and in her element with family and friends, she paused beside them. “Bennett, so nice of you to come. Flint tells me you’re a beloved mayor in Summer Beach.” She flicked her eyes toward her daughter and back at him. “May we tempt you with champagne and hors d’oeurves?”
“Yes, ma’am, thank you,” Bennett said, though he didn’t need much champagne. Just standing next to Ivy was intoxicating enough. He looked from mother to daughter. Now that he saw Carlotta and Ivy together, the family resemblance was clear.
“Ivy, please take good care of our guest.” Her mother pressed her cheek to Ivy’s in a kiss and continued toward other guests—but not before she gave Bennett a conspiratorial smile.
Ivy turned her face up to his. “You should know that my parents are foodies with eclectic taste. Unless you’re a white-bread-and-potatoes kind of guy, you don’t want to miss their hors d’oeurves.” She took his hand and led him outside.
Bennett hadn’t realized how hungry he was. The Bays had engaged a caterer, and the theme was fresh California cuisine. He and Ivy scooped up a little bit of everything. Watermelon salad with basil and feta cheese, grilled vegetable bruschetta with pesto sauce, shrimp ceviche with mint. Brioche crab rolls, lobster and corn fritters, smoked cheeses with salsa, and avocado and crab rolls with caviar. Servers offered champagne, California wines, margaritas, and mint-infused sparkling water.
“This is more than hors d’oeurves,” Bennett remarked as they settled at a table on the patio overlooking the ocean.
“Mom believes in a generous table. Growing up, we had a garden here and learned to cook with our weekly harvest. Do you have any idea how much better home-grown tomatoes and carrots taste?”
“I do. And did you know Summer Beach has a weekly farmer’s market?”
Ivy’s face lit up. “I’d love to see that.”
“Happy to take you.” Bennett imagined strolling around the local produce stands and beach artisans. He knew if he took her there, word about them would spread through the Summer Beach gossip network like wildfire. Well-meaning people in town had been trying to match him with women for years. In the past, he’d avoided going to the market with dates, but Ivy was different.
Ivy sipped her champagne. “I have to learn everything I can about Summer Beach so I can help guests and answer questions.”
“So you’re going ahead with your iBnB rentals?”
“I have to, Bennett.” She reached out and touched his hand. “I’m filling out the paperwork for the zoning change and will submit it next week. An inn could offer so much more to the local residents, too. Shelly and I plan to have a range of events, from author chats and book signings to painting exhibits and gardening classes.”
“That might help your cause,” he said. “It’s not up to me, but the community and its representatives.”
“Would you mind putting in a good word?”
Bennett shifted in his chair. That wasn’t a good idea, not with how he felt about Ivy. People could accuse him of favoritism. “It’s better if I tell you who you need to talk to.”
Her smile drooped. “I thought you would help us.”
“I wish I could, but I hope you understand how I need to remain impartial. Especially if we’re seen out together…on a date.” He savored the taste of the word in his mouth. A date with Ivy. How long had it been? Two years? Maybe three? The last one had been such a disaster, he’d sworn off matchmaking offers from friends. He’d plan something special for Ivy…
“What else do people like to do in Summer Beach?” Ivy asked.
“Mitch conducts whale-watching cruises, Nan and Arthur sponsor an antique weekend, and another resident offers balloon rides.”
“What about art shows?”
Bennett stroked his chin. “There’s an idea.”
Ivy sat back in her chair, clearly pondering his suggestion. Her face lit with enthusiasm. “I would love to coordinate one. Think of how many people that could bring into the community.”
“Now you’re talking.” Her face was shimmering with excitement, and he could hardly contain himself.
Her eyes flickered with ideas. “We could host some events in the ballroom, and spill out onto the lawn and around the pool. The money we raise could fund art classes in the schools here.”
“That’s the kind of thinking that will endear you to Summer Beach.” And to me. Bennett ached to take her in his arms.
Nearby on the lawn, musicians began to play an old Jimmy Buffet tune, Margaritaville, and people crowded into the dance area.
“Would you like to dance?” Bennett asked, seeing an opportunity.
Ivy hesitated. “I haven’t danced in a long time.”
“Neither have I. That means we’re both overdue.” Bennett held out his hand, and she twined her fingers with his. Her touch was like an electric shock to his system, energizing every nerve in his body.
“Fair warning. I might step on your feet,” she said as they got up.
“Not if I beat you to it.”
Soon, Ivy and Bennett were swept into the crowd and found
