“Then stay away from those lilies,” Rose advised, steering her across to some spring displays. “The last thing you want is a guest sneezing all over the place with allergies.”
“Good point,” Evie laughed.
“How about the tulips? I just got a big batch in, and they’ll look gorgeous with some ranunculus … maybe a few sweet peas …”
Evie watched as Rose expertly assembled the bouquets, pulling in different flowers to make each one a tiny explosion of color. “You’re a real artist,” she said admiringly, but Rose just laughed, pushing back her wavy dark hair.
“Hardly. To tell the truth, this is the most creative I’ve been all week. Most customers just want a bouquet of plain red roses—or maybe carnations, if they’re feeling cheap about it.”
“Oh, that’s such a pity.” Evie looked around, getting an idea. “Say, you wouldn’t want to work out some kind of standing order with the inn, would you? You could come by every week to change out the bouquets—and I promise you’ll have a free rein over the designs. No pink carnations in sight!”
“I’d love to.” Rose smiled. “We can work out a special price.”
“And I’ll tell all my guests exactly where to find you,” Evie added, pleased. She looked down at the bags she was already carrying and laughed. “I’ve got chocolates from Coco, pottery from Mackenzie’s store, poppy-seed scones courtesy of Summer at the bakery. At this rate, the inn will be a permanent advertisement for Sweetbriar Cove!”
She paid for the flowers and arranged for delivery, then headed out. She needed to start setting up for the party, but she was barely halfway across the square when her phone buzzed. “Jules!” she exclaimed happily, answering the call. “Are you here yet?”
Jules answered with a groan. “I wish. I’m stuck at work—Rory’s flight just got in, and he wants me to wait at the office. Apparently, there’s something we need to discuss. In person.”
“Uh oh,” Evie said, and Jules gave an answering sigh.
“I know. Did anything good in the world ever follow the words, ‘we need to talk’?”
“I’m sorry,” Evie said, sympathetic. Even though she thought Jules was way too good for her latest boyfriend—and way too good at her job to waste her talents on making him a success—she knew Jules had been trying to make it work. “Look, don’t feel like you need to come all this way just for the party. You can visit anytime!”
“Are you kidding? Of course I’ll be there,” Jules vowed. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world … I might just be a little late. And in need of a stiff drink.”
“I’ll save you a bottle of champagne,” Evie promised. “After all, it’s thanks to you and your social media wizardry that I’m already fully booked for the season.”
“I should be a good friend and say it’s all your own doing, but since I’m probably about to get dumped and fired … I’ll take it,” Jules replied with a wry laugh. “OK, I have to go stop by Sephora and get a full-face makeover. If that bastard is going to break up with me, I’m going to look damn good while he does it.”
“See you later. Good luck!” Evie said, hanging up—just as she heard someone calling her name from across the square. She turned to find Aunt June waving her down, looking excited.
“Are you all set for the big party?” June asked.
“Just heading back there now to get things ready,” Evie replied, holding up her bags as evidence. “Will I see you there later?”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” June declared. “I’ve got a new dress all picked out. You know I’m in the market for a new squeeze,” she added, a sparkle in her eye.
Evie grinned. “The men of Sweetbriar Cove won’t know what’s hit them,” she said.
“Actually, I’m hoping you’ve drawn from further afield,” June said, leaning in. “Between us, all the decent gentlemen around here are spoken for. You certainly didn’t hang around snapping up Noah Montgomery,” she added admiringly.
Evie blushed. “I didn’t plan on it.”
June laughed. “We never do. Anyway, you must be thrilled about the article.”
Evie paused. “What article?”
“You didn’t see it yet?” June brightened. “I thought you’d have bought up every copy in town!” She took Evie’s arm and dragged her over to the newsstand, still talking a mile a minute. “I knew that Bunny woman had taste, even if she did look like she sucked on lemons. But the Beachcomber is so charming, I’m not surprised she fell for the place.”
June plucked down a copy of Sunrise magazine and showed Evie the cover. She gasped. “The Beachcomber!”
“A slice of heaven on Cape Cod,” June quoted, before Evie eagerly took it from her hands and flipped through to find the article.
“Charming setting … the personal touch abounds … five stars!” She jumped up and down in delight. Bunny had come through with a rave review after all! There was even a photo of Evie on the front porch, pulled from the Beachcomber’s social media, along with the story of how she’d bought the property for a dollar. “I can’t believe it, I thought for sure she’d stormed off in a huff! I guess the old biddy has a soft side, after all.”
“Or she knew your story was a surefire seller,” June replied with a smirk. “But either way, the Beachcomber is officially on the map. Literally, too. Franny is drawing up the new tourist guide, and she has you in a prime listing.”
“What will that mean?” Evie asked. Knowing Franny, it probably made her head of some committee.
Sure enough, June smiled. “I’m betting she’ll think of some way for you to repay the favor. How do you feel about potlucks?”
Evie bought a dozen copies of the magazine and another case of champagne to celebrate before heading back to set up the picnic tables and decorations on the beach. By the time Noah returned from the wholesaler with enough food to feed an army—or half the town—the Beachcomber was ready for the party, and Evie … was just a little drunk, dancing to the music as she shimmied around inside, setting out cake and snacks.
A chuckle behind her made Evie turn. It was Noah, leaning in the doorway, watching her with a curious smile on his face.
“I’m getting the strongest sense of déjà vu,” he said.
Evie remembered the night they had first met and laughed. “I’m wearing more clothes this time,” she teased, giving her party dress a twirl.
Noah gave her a smoldering grin. “For now …”
She looked around. It was hard to believe how far the Beachcomber had come since then. And how far she and Noah had come, too. “You know, when you showed up, I thought you were just a condescending, grumpy guy,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck. “And annoyingly handsome.”
Noah laughed. “Well, I thought you were stubborn and irresponsible. And annoyingly beautiful,” he added, taking her hand and spinning her around. “But I couldn’t stay away.”
“Me either,” Evie said happily. “Thank you.”