A Little Harmless Addiction(10)

“No problem.”

She fidgeted with the water bottle that she was drinking from and the silence between them stretched. It was uncomfortable and odd considering she had come looking for him. He glanced over her shoulder and noticed she had waited until her brother was busy.

“Chris didn’t say anything rude to you, did he?”

He shook his head. “Not really.”

Her lips twitched and her eyes sparkled. “I apologize. It’s just that he noticed…”

She trailed off, her face brightened and she looked away.

Knowing that she was embarrassed, and liking the stain of color on her cheeks, he had to poke fun. “What?”

She swallowed and looked back at him. “Nothing. Chris has always been kind of overprotective, and now he’s a little worse.”

He nodded. “Being an older brother, I can understand.”

“May doesn’t seem like the kind of woman who would put up with interference. And since you’re afraid of her—”

“What makes you think that?”

“You drove all the way to the windward side of the island to give me a basket on a Saturday night. I mean…I have been hearing about your escapades for years from May. Lord knows you probably had something to do.”

Damn his sister. Knowing her, she made him sound like some kind of Don Juan of Oahu. He dated around, that was true, but it still irritated him that his sister acted as if he slept with any available woman.

“Well, don’t believe everything you hear.”

She laughed. God, she was beautiful when she laughed. It brightened her face and her eyes sparkled. He loved a woman who laughed with her whole body. “Most of it was good. She told me you’re a good guy. And she told me you do some sightseeing tours.”

He nodded and took a sip from his beer bottle. “I have several boats. One is just a fishing boat. I do a little commercial fishing. Mainly sell to your brother.”

“And you do those deep-water fishing things.”

“Yeah. I mostly handle the sightseeing tours.”

“Good. I wanted to go, but I wanted to go with someone I know, and since I just got here…” She shrugged.

“Sure. Come on down tomorrow if you want. Tuesdays are slow sometimes. I know we have a few more spots open.”

“Thanks.” She walked away and he watched her, trying his best to ignore the way his blood danced every time he heard her laugh.



Jocelyn smiled when she peeked through the window of Cynthia’s Bakery. The place was packed, filled with customers on their way to work. She reached the door, but before she could open it Chris was there pushing it open.

He smiled at her. “Hey, you’re up early.”

Jocelyn shook her head. “You forget I’m still on Atlanta time.”

He laughed and pulled her into the crowd, guiding her back behind the counter. It was a plain store with a glass counter accented in soft pink colors. Several small tables were scattered in the small space between the counter and the front door, all filled with customers. The only flourish in the design of the bakery was Cynthia’s name plastered on everything—from the window front to the bags—in pink script. The scents of the bakery surrounded her, comforted her. Vanilla, chocolate, flour and sugar. It was a mix of aromas she knew well and missed.

“Morning, Jocelyn.” Cynthia looked pale and a bit overworked. Her blonde hair curled around her face but Jocelyn could tell she was enjoying herself. The smile she offered each customer showed that she loved what she was doing. “Still not used to the Hawaiian time?”

“No. I think it might take a while after such a long move.”

Cynthia nodded, and Jocelyn opened her mouth to ask if she needed help but Cynthia was already turning away to chat with a customer.

“Come on back,” Chris said as he guided her back to the office. He let her step away as he shut the door then leaned back against it.

She felt him studying her so she turned and smiled at him. “What?”

“When were you going to tell me?”

She frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Cynthia told me last night about the baby. And then she told me you knew.”

She laughed. “Sorry, I was sworn to secrecy.” She stepped closer and slipped her arms around him for a quick hug and kiss. “Daddy.”

When she looked up, an expression of panic passed over his face.

“Aren’t you happy?”

“Yeah, uh,” he said, backing away from her. “Just a little nervous. And she’s been kind of sick.”

Jocelyn nodded. “I thought she looked a little pale.”

“I hope this is the last morning. I can’t take another wake-up call like that.”