This Can't Be Love (Whispering Bay Romance 5)

“I went fishing around six. Then I ran five miles, took a shower, and came here for some of The Bistro’s delicious coffee.”

She narrowed her green eyes at him like she thought he was lying. “What time did you get to bed last night?”

“Around three.”

“I thought you came home for some rest and relaxation. Three hours isn’t much sleep.”

“I caught up on my sleep the first day I was here. Not that it’s any of your business, but I’ll probably hit the sheets pretty early tonight.” He kept his tone neutral but the censure in his voice made her blink.

“Sorry,” she said woodenly. “You’re absolutely right, it’s none of my business.”

There he went again. Being a world class jerk. Normally, he was a nice guy. Women liked him. They found him charming. But there was something about Blondie’s unfettered candor that got to him. She had a way of calling him out that made him uncomfortable. And if he was being honest, more than a little intrigued.

The good guy in him said she was strictly hands-off. Not only was she Mimi’s friend, Sarah was now also his roommate. But the asshole in him had never turned down a challenge.

Her hair was pulled back in a sloppy looking bun and her cheeks were flushed, probably from the heat of the nearby kitchen. She wore a blue T-shirt and snug white shorts that came to just above her knees. She turned to help another customer in line and he couldn’t help but check out her ass, something he’d already done more than a couple of times since she’d shown up in his bed a few nights ago. She was slender but with just the right amount of curve. Not too much and not too little. In other words, just right…

“Luke Powers! It is you!” someone shrieked.

An attractive woman wearing workout clothes stared up at him. She looked vaguely familiar, but he couldn’t quite place her—

“It’s Stacey Connors! Or rather, Stacey Bennet. From high school. You have to remember me! I was on the cheerleading squad and you were on the football team and, well…” she lowered her voice, “we made out on the team bus after we whooped those Crusaders from Old Explorers’ Bay.”

Images of a sweaty make-out session on a crowded bus ride late one warm and humid fall night flashed back to him. Stacey had been the first girl he’d really kissed. The two of them had snuck to the back of the bus and discreetly (or so they’d thought at the time) rounded first base with all the finesse of two horny seventeen-year-olds. How had he forgotten that?

They hugged, a little awkwardly at first, then she pulled back and gave him a sly wink. “Best night of my high school life. But don’t worry, I never told Brad a thing.”

“Brad?”

“My husband, you big goofball!” She laughed. “Don’t pretend you’ve forgotten Brad the Cad. You gave him that nickname!”

Brad Connors had been more of a teammate than a friend, but he and Luke had either played or competed against one another in nearly every sport since grade school. He’d been a good guy but more into girls than school and he’d ended up blowing an academic scholarship to the University of Florida when he’d flunked out of calculus senior year. Luke had lost touch with him the summer after high school graduation. So, Brad and Stacey had gotten married. He vaguely remembered his mother telling him something about that.

He glanced over to see Sarah watching the exchange with amusement and something else that he didn’t quite like.

He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Of course, I remember Brad. Good to see you again, Stacey. What’s Brad up to these days?”

“Are you serious?” she asked, like he should already know the answer to that question.

He really hoped Brad wasn’t in prison or anything. “Uh, come to think of it—”

“He’s the principal at Whispering Bay High.” Then her face went soft. “Everyone was sad when you missed graduation. But you must be so proud of Claire. Her valedictorian speech brought tears to the entire audience.”

Luke stilled. His niece had been her class valedictorian? Why hadn’t anyone told him this?

“I heard the news this morning about your ex-fiancée dumping you for another guy,” Stacey said. “What is she thinking?”

How the hell—“Victoria was never my—” Before he could finish his sentence he was surrounded by a gaggle of women, all hugging him and reminding him of how they knew one another.

“Jody Myers. We were in tenth grade chemistry,” said a short woman with freckles wearing a Just Do It T-shirt over stretch pants. “I sat behind you. You practically got me through the class. I just want to say that on behalf of the Sunny Days Preschool Program, we are so grateful for your generosity!”

He got a lot of requests from alumni organizations, but he didn’t remember anything from a local preschool. Lori must have taken care of that for him. “I’m glad my check could help out,” he said, smiling.

They all laughed. “You didn’t contribute money, you big lug!” Stacey went on to explain. “Your mother called this morning and told me all about what happened with your ex and how you’re just so heartbroken and she volunteered you for our silent auction.”

“Win a date with Whispering Bay’s most eligible bachelor, Luke Powers!” Jody added. “The single women in town are already going crazy. We can practically buy the new outdoor playground equipment right now. “

They all began talking again and thanking him.