Holiday In the Hamptons (From Manhattan with Love 5)

“The Bark Rangers,” all four women chorused, and this time Fliss smiled.

“You know about us?”

“Every detail. We have celebrated every new milestone right along with you,” Dora said. “And I’m happy to pay. I’d expect nothing less. Would you do it for me, honey? Darcy is very social and he’s not getting out enough.”

Fliss took Charlie’s lead from the cupboard by the door. “Of course. What breed of dog is he?”

“He’s a Labrador. A great big softie. Twice a day would be good, if you think you can fit it in. And he’s a very indiscriminate eater, so you have to watch that. Your grandmother is right. You’re a good girl.”

No, Fliss thought. She wasn’t a good girl. But she was happy to walk dogs. “Not a problem. I’ll give you the questionnaire we use, then meet Darcy and work out a plan. I can start tomorrow if you like.”

“Thank you. I guess all that walking is why you have such a great figure.”

Feeling more comfortable among them, Fliss leaned forward and stole a cookie from the plate on the table. “Which book are you reading for your book group?”

“Matilda’s latest.”

Remembering the pages she’d read, Fliss lifted her eyebrows. “They’re pretty racy.”

“That’s why we read them. There was a time when we used to find our excitement between the sheets, but now it’s between the pages. And talking of excitement—” her grandmother studied her over the top of her glasses “—I didn’t hear you come home last night. How was your date?”

“She had a date?”

Five pairs of eyes were suddenly fixed on her with interest, and Fliss paused with the cookie halfway to her mouth, wishing she’d left when she had the chance.

“It wasn’t a date.”

“He invited her over and cooked her dinner.” Her grandmother glanced at her friends. “In my day we called that a date.”

“Grams—”

“It must have been a date,” Dora said, “because she doesn’t want to talk about it. When you don’t want to talk about a man, it’s a sign that you’re interested.”

“Who was the man?” The question came from Rita, and Fliss started backing toward the door, panic rising along with the color in her cheeks.

“It was no one—”

“Seth Carlyle.” Her grandmother picked up her cards and studied them. “Our sexy vet.”

“The most eligible man in the Hamptons,” Dora said. “It’s time someone snapped him up.”

“She already snapped him up once before,” Jane muttered. “Your memory is failing you, Dora.”

Fliss squirmed. “I’m not snapping him up, Rita. I’m not doing anything at all with him.”

“Shame. So you’re not seeing him again?”

She’d thought about it all day and decided it was stupid to see him again. There was a difference between a casual encounter and going sailing. She’d been planning on texting him. “It was casual, that’s all.” She tried to forget the way Seth had looked at her when they’d stood side by side on the beach.

Jane looked interested. “So you saw his new place?”

Fliss opened her mouth, but her grandmother spoke first.

“I’m glad he has his own place. Ocean View is beautiful, but it can’t be easy rattling around in that big old house without his father.”

“I agree.” Dora nodded. “The boy needs to sell it.”

But he didn’t want to, Fliss thought. Selling it was going to break his heart. He felt as if he was giving away all those memories.