Foolish Games (An Out of Bounds Novel) by Solheim Tracy

Author:Solheim, Tracy [Solheim, Tracy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Group US
Published: 2013-12-02T23:00:00+00:00

Nineteen

“You’re sure you don’t want to go parasailing?” Hank asked as they boarded the ferry to Bald Head Island. It was Saturday afternoon of a holiday weekend, and Annabeth was already feeling guilty about leaving the shop. Hank had arrived an hour earlier carrying a large insulated picnic basket and wearing his devastating smile, making him hard for Annabeth to resist. Her assistant, Lynnette, had taken one look at the man and practically shoved her out the door, insisting Sophie was all the help she needed.

Annabeth was still kicking herself for agreeing to have dinner with Hank, and that was when she thought they’d be in a crowded restaurant with all the holiday beachgoers. A sunset picnic on a secluded island sounded dangerous. And romantic at the same time.

Clearly, she’d had too much wine the other night when she’d agreed to this. But Julianne’s words had been reverberating in her head, giving Annabeth a false sense of bravery. Their trek to the Patty Wagon was pleasant enough, with Sophie and Brody taking turns steering the conversation. When it was time for Annabeth to walk home, however, Brody quickly excused himself to meet a new acquaintance at Pier Pressure, Chances Inlet’s night spot, while Sophie claimed to have a program she wanted to watch on cable and disappeared into the inn. Both their exits seemed a bit contrived, but Annabeth didn’t resist Hank’s escort home.

They walked silently the first few blocks, serenaded by the crash of the surf in the distance and the chorus of tree frogs in the canopy of live oaks above them. Hank asked questions about the town and its history until they’d arrived at Annabeth’s front door. She stood there awkwardly, but Hank made no move to touch her as he had earlier that day in her shop.

“Annabeth Connelly, please have dinner with me.” He stood beneath her porch light, a moth dive-bombing his head, looking as though the fate of the world hinged on her answer. How could a woman say no to a request like that?

“Okay.”

“Are you free Saturday night?”

Lord, did this man think she actually had a social life beyond her book club and her church group? She had to admit to feeling a bit flattered. She couldn’t find the words, so she just nodded.

“Great. How about if I just pick you up from the shop?”

She nodded again.

Hank stepped away from her porch, ushering her inside, but Annabeth just stood there like a fool.

“I can’t leave until I know you’re safely inside, Annabeth.”

Right! Embarrassed, she quickly flew into the house, bolting the door behind her. As she leaned against it, she listened to Hank’s retreating footsteps down the gravel drive.

And that was how she found herself on the ferry headed for a private dinner for two.

“I have no desire to parasail,” she answered Hank. “I leave that to Will and his friends.”

He bristled beside her. “Will has a pretty extensive contract that prohibits him from parasailing for the time being, so please don’t tell me if he does.

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