Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 78085 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78085 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
I nodded. “If Ms. Seaside came today, we missed her.” After I took a bite, I asked, “Do you have the paper?”
I could have pulled it up online, but there was something about reading the actual paper. And with Harlee sitting across from me, it would be even better.
Kris smiled. “Yes, let me go grab it.”
After she walked out of the room, I looked at Harlee. “What do you think she wrote about this week?”
She shrugged. “Hell if I know.”
I had to fight to keep the smile off my face. The little minx knew exactly what it said, because she was the one who wrote it.
Kris walked back into the dining room and handed me The Chronicles. I opened it up to the gossip column.
* * *
THE SEASIDE CHRONICLES
February 21, 2023
SAND BARRED – SPECIAL EDITION
Seasiders,
Word on the sand dunes is that our winner of the Catch of the Season—by default, in case anyone needed reminding—Braxton Bradley, has not been seen out and about with a…special friend…on his arm lately. Even I noticed he was without a date at the Valentine’s Day dance that Harlee Tilson put on. Yes, my fishes, I was there, but not many saw me. I know how to blend in.
Could Mr. Bradley be losing his touch? Or has he found a special someone and isn’t ready to share her with us yet? My guess is he’s hiding something, ladies, and this writer is going to find out what it is. I’ve got my ear to the sand on this one! For the sake of all the single women in Seaside, of course.
As for now, all I can report is that our Catch of the Season is still on the market. Good luck to all the single ladies in Seaside. I’m told he could be a good catch.
Fair winds and following seas!
Ms. Seaside
Slowly, I put the paper down and forced myself not to shoot Harlee a dirty look. I could feel my face growing hot as I stared at the column. Why in the world would she make it seem like I was in the market to settle down? The only reason she was taking aim at me was because I was looking for Ms. Seaside. Well, two could play at this game.
Clearing my throat, I folded the paper and set it down next to me, drew in a deep breath, and then exhaled.
“What did it say?” Harlee asked innocently. “You look…angry.”
Kris chuckled. “Oh, I don’t doubt he’s angry. It seems to me, Braxton, that Ms. Seaside is fixated on you.”
I looked at her and forced a smile, not caring that it most assuredly looked fake. “Sure seems like it, doesn’t it?”
“What does it say?” Harlee asked once again, this time reaching across the table and motioning for me to give her the paper.
I picked it up and handed it over. She lifted the paper so I couldn’t see her face as she read. When she finished, she put it down and scrunched up her nose. “Well, she’s kind of right. You are searching for something.”
This time, I did shoot Harlee a dirty look. Glancing back at the paper, I saw in my periphery the corner of her mouth twitch with a hidden smile.
“I don’t know if she complimented you or not with that last sentence about possibly being a good catch,” Harlee added.
“Not a compliment at all, I’m guessing,” Kris said. She quickly looked at me. “But I think you are. I think you’d make a great catch for some lucky lady. It’s just Ms. Seaside doesn’t seem to like you much.”
Harlee snorted. “Meh, I think it depends on what they’re expecting from him.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I set down my fork, my appetite suddenly gone.
Harlee gave me a look that could have said a thousand different things, but at that moment, she had her claws out. “Well, it’s no secret to the single ladies in Seaside that you’re not the type to settle down.”
I wasn’t sure what hurt more. The fact that I’d confessed my feelings from that night to her and she’d thrown them back in my face, or the fact that she was right. I’d been a coward to push her away.
“Is that so?” I asked calmly.
Nodding, Harlee picked up her wine, but before she took a sip, she added, “Afraid of commitment, I believe the rumor is. Of course, I’m only speaking from experience.”
Kris cleared her throat and stood. “I need to check on something in the kitchen.”
Fuck putting the truth about Ms. Seaside out on the table. If she wanted to play, I’d play. But not tonight.
I pushed back from the table and looked at our host. “Thank you for dinner, Kris.”
When I picked up my plate and bowl to bring it into the kitchen, she stopped me. “Don’t even think of doing that. Do you want dessert? I made brownies with chocolate frosting.”