Much Ado About You

“Heard your boyfriend dumped you for a cheerleader. Might be something in that, Viola.”

If she could have killed him with looks, he’d be dead. “Oh, please, I’m all aflutter to hear romantic advice from a boy who rumor has it arrives way too early every time.”

My eyes bugged out of my head, and I had to cover my mouth to stifle my shocked gasp. I was even more shocked when Lucas just smirked at her response. “Oh, my stats are clear on that count. I always make sure a woman is satisfied multiple times.”

“Well, you’ve certainly made sure there’s enough data to draw that conclusion. Better watch that, Elliot. An overabundance of research could lead to an STD in your spreadsheets.”

I was shaking now with the urge to belly laugh.

These two were entertaining with a capital E.

“You’re awfully concerned about my sheets. Maybe if you’d been more concerned about your own, the boyfriend wouldn’t have ended up tangled in the cheerleader’s. Her thread count must have been higher.” He grinned evilly.

A flicker of pain moved across Viola’s features before she smoothed it with a look of indifference, and my amusement instantly died.

I glared at Lucas, only to see he was no longer smiling. In fact, he was watching Viola warily. Perhaps he knew he’d crossed the line.

“Well”—she crossed her arms over her chest—“if you’re not going to buy anything, take your toxic attitude elsewhere. I’ve had my fill of immature dickhead for the day.”

Lucas’s expression hardened and he cut Caro a look. “You might want to think about who mans your stall in the future, or you’ll lose business.”

“I’m a woman.” Viola’s hands flew to her hips. “You may not recognize the breed since you’re only capable of attracting shallow girls. Now run along.”

With one last dark look, Lucas Elliot turned on his heel and strode across Main Street. He pushed open the door to The Alnster Inn but shot Viola a scowl over his shoulder before disappearing inside.

It was as we were packing up for the day, Caro’s baked goods long sold, that I spotted a woman watching us from the lane between the butcher’s and the inn. She dressed in much the same way Caro normally did and wore a severe frown of disapproval on her face.

Caro didn’t notice her as she and Viola laughed at something together.

It was her aunt Helena. I knew it in my gut.

I braced myself in case the woman was here to make a scene, but to my relief, after a few minutes of glaring at her niece, Helena turned around and walked back down the lane whence she’d come.

An uneasy feeling stuck with me, and I decided I’d ask Caroline if she wanted to stay with me again tonight. Her face was lit with joy as she talked with Viola. Despite her shyness, I could see she was brimming over with happiness that she was the only person to sell out of goods. This, plus the positive comments she got from customers, would surely go a long way to boosting her self-confidence. And I wouldn’t have Helena take that away from her on the very same day.

Just as I approached the girls to ask Caro if she wanted to stay over at my apartment, a slamming door pulled all three of our gazes toward The Alnster Inn. Lucas had stepped out of the pub and he wasn’t alone. Whether she’d been there all along or had just arrived, a tall blonde wrapped her arm around his waist as he slung his over her shoulders. Without a look in our direction, the young couple sauntered in the direction of the harbor.

I turned to Viola to crack a joke, but closed my mouth immediately.

She was staring after Lucas and the girl with real, true pain in her eyes.

Suddenly, their passionate encounter took on a different edge.

Did Viola have a crush on Lucas Elliot? Was that the reason for their antagonism? Unrequited love?

Thinking of the way everyone else seemed to disappear for him as Lucas took on a battle of wits with Viola, I wondered if it was unrequited after all. Any guy would find indifference toward Viola Tait almost impossible—not just because she was gorgeous (although knowing young guys, that was certainly enough) but because she was quick-witted and self-confident.

Hmm.

Deciding it was best to avoid the topic of Lucas Elliot and his mysterious girl, I asked Caro about staying the night.

“Oh, I don’t know. I should probably go home.” She bit her lip.

“Stay. We can have a sleepover.” Viola grinned at me. “That was me inviting myself too.”

I laughed and slung my arm over her small shoulders. “You’re very welcome.” We both turned to Caro with hopeful gazes. “What do you say? Girls’ night?”

Her smile was slow but genuine. “How can I say no?”

“You can’t. I won’t let you.”