He let out a laugh and shook his head. “No, Hope. I hired you to organize an open house. You did that and then went above and beyond by acting as my publicist. What you did here tonight was incredible. Thank you.”
She took a step forward and pressed her hand to his chest right over his heart. “You’re welcome.” Then she took a step back and added, “I just did what I’d do for anyone.”
He raised one skeptical eyebrow. “Really?”
A chuckle escaped from the back of her throat. “No. Your event might have gotten a little extra attention.”
“And why’s that exactly?” There was a challenge in his expression that told her he knew why, but she’d be damned if she’d give him the satisfaction by admitting that she’d done it because she desperately wanted his business to be a success.
“I’m trying to build my own business. By inviting a bunch of businesspeople from town, they’ll remember me when they need an event organizer.”
He pursed his lips and nodded. “And the fact that you’re the only event organizer in town isn’t enough?”
“Nope. I’ve got competition from three surrounding towns. And Peggy Pitsman just hung her shingle a few months ago. Mostly she’s doing baby showers, but I heard she put on a luncheon for the book club recently. I need to stay on top of my game.”
“I see.” His lips twitched, and his eyes crinkled as he held back a laugh.
She rolled her eyes as if she were irritated with him, but the truth was she missed bantering with him and couldn’t deny that this felt good. But there were more important things to talk about than why she’d put so much effort into his event. She cleared her throat. “Listen, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”
A flicker of concern flashed in his silver gaze, but it disappeared just as quickly. “Sure. Why don’t we sit.” He led her to a dining room table that was on display and pulled out one of the chairs for her.
She took her seat and waited for him to sit in the chair to her left. Hope clasped her hands together and turned to him, looking into his eyes. “Remember when I told you that my mom is back in town?”
“Sure.” He furrowed his brow. “How are you doing with that? Are you okay?”
Lucas knew better than anyone her issues with her mom. “Honestly, I don’t really know.” She glanced down at the table, studying the varying shades of color in the hardwood. “Something happened last night.”
He placed a hand over hers and squeezed, not saying a word.
A small smile tugged at her lips, and some of the weight on her chest lifted. He knew her so well. If he just waited her out, she’d tell him everything. Probably more than if he asked questions. When there was something important on her mind, her way of dealing with it was to think it through while talking. If he asked questions, she was more likely to clam up. “I was at the cliffs with Grace and Joy, and I heard their thoughts.”
“You just heard their thoughts? Like Grace was thinking about her next curse on her ex while Joy was contemplating which sex toys she’s going to order next?” His eyes danced with humor.
Hope cackled. “How did you know about the sex toys?”
“Joy told me. I ran into her at the café, and she kinda asked me for advice.” He chuckled.
“No effing way,” Hope gasped out and then covered her mouth as she started laughing again. She laughed so hard tears started streaming down her face. “Please tell me she’d been drinking.”
“You know, I thought that at first. I even asked her if she’d spiked her coffee, but I think she just needed a guy’s perspective about Paul’s indifference.” He shrugged. “I’m not sure I helped, though.”
Hope leaned in. “What did you tell her?”
“That a man is usually not subtle when he’s interested and that she should probably just have an honest conversation with him about what she needs.”
“That is not a conversation I’d want to have with Paul. Can you even imagine? I bet he uses terms like ‘privates’ and ‘special parts.’”
“He’s definitely uptight,” Lucas said, chuckling. Then he sobered as he scanned his gaze over Hope.
The air turned thick between them, and Hope had a moment where she was certain he wanted to kiss her. Everything inside of her yearned to lean forward, to feel his lips on hers once more. But instead of letting herself fall right back into old habits, she glanced away and said, “When I got home last night after spending time with Grace and Joy, my mom told me that the women in my family are cursed with telepathy when we turn forty-six. It was why she left. She said she couldn’t control it, and that she left for both of us. So I’d have my privacy and so that she didn’t lose her mind.”
Lucas blinked. “Telepathy? Seriously?”
She nodded. “Seriously.”
“That’s… wow. She was reading your mind? Way back when you were a teenager?”
“Yep.” She watched him as he eventually came to the same realization that she had.
His face flushed, and he looked so very much like the nervous teenager she’d once fallen in love with. It made her heart ache with nostalgia. “That was when we… uh, were doing all kinds of things I prayed your mom would never know about.”
“Exactly.” She threw her head back and laughed. “Can you even imagine having a teenager and having to read their thoughts?”
“No. Not at all.” He shook his head, looking horrified. Then after a minute, he narrowed his eyes at her and asked, “You said the women in your family are cursed with telepathy at forty-six. Does that mean you’ve been reading my mind all night?”
“No. I only got a couple of snippets of thoughts. Like when you thought I was adorable.”
“You are adorable. Sexy and smart, too, just in case you missed those.” He winked at her, and she smiled back, unable to resist the spell he was casting over her. “Do you know what I’m thinking right now?”
She stared him in the eye and concentrated. A vision of the two of them walking hand in hand down at Premonition Beach flashed in her mind. Tears stung her eyes, and she had to blink them back. That had been one of their things that they did when they just wanted to spend time together. The memories of all the time they’d spent down there in what they’d always called ‘their cove’ were too much. She couldn’t go there right then. Not without breaking down. So instead of confirming his thoughts of the beach, she said, “You’re thinking about the time we broke into Grayson Masterson’s rental and spent the night drinking in his hot tub.”
He eyed her skeptically, but then he flashed her his sexy half smile that showed off his dimple. “No, but I am now. Remember what happened after we got out of the hot tub? I seem to recall a midnight swim in the ocean followed by—”
“Stop!” She laughed. “No need to voice that memory. I think it’s one neither of us will forget.”
“Fair enough. But what do you say to a repeat? I’m pretty sure I can still pick the lock on Grayson’s gate. I wouldn’t mind a soak in that hot tub.”
She grinned at him. “As tempting as that sounds, I’m pretty sure Grayson has security cameras now. I’d rather not put myself in a position where my goods end up on video.”