Abby’s shoulders dropped with a heavy sigh. “I’ll add marketing to my to-do list. I don’t know much about it, but I can do some research and ask my friend Leni for help. She does marketing for her cousin’s PR firm.”
“I can help, too, if you’d like,” Cait offered. “I help Tank with the website, marketing, and social media for Wicked Ink. I can also design the logo if you’d like.”
“That would be fantastic,” Abby said.
Aiden couldn’t shake the feeling that she should enter the competition, but he realized he didn’t even know when she was planning to open the restaurant. “Have you thought about a launch date?”
“I was hoping you would be my launch date,” she said playfully.
“I’d be honored.” He leaned in for a kiss and said, “Since I’m leaving the weekend before Memorial Day, does that mean you changed your mind and want to try to get this place open before the competition? In time for the summer rush?”
“No way. Not for the competition. It’s too soon.” Her brow furrowed, but her eyes filled with endless hope again. “But am I crazy to think we can be up and running by the middle of June? That’s only”—she looked at the ceiling, bobbing her head as she silently calculated time, lips moving—“seven weeks away.”
God she was cute. “Not at all. If you had to, you could clean it up and have a soft opening, then hold a grand reopening when you’re ready.”
Abby shook her head. “I have a hard time doing things halfway. For my own sanity, I’d need to have it ready for the big shebang.”
“I like the way you think. I’ve got nothing but time right now and very capable hands.” Hands that hadn’t done manual labor in so long and suddenly craved it. He’d forgotten how it felt to use his body to make things happen instead of his mind, just as he’d forgotten what it felt like to truly crave a woman’s touch, the kiss of her lips, and that look Abby was giving him right now. “We’ve got this, Abs. Right, Cait?”
Cait looked at Abby and said, “I’ve only known you a few days, and I already know there’s nothing you can’t do if you set your mind to it.”
Abby looked thrilled. “Okay, then! We’ve got seven weeks to get this place open. Oh my gosh, you guys! Seven weeks! We need to work fast.” Her smile suddenly faded. “Wait. Aiden, you won’t be here to celebrate our grand opening.”
“I just said I’d be your date, and I always keep my word. But you could toss in some added incentive and promise me a moonlight walk on the beach after the grand opening.”
She beamed at him. “You’ve got it.”
Her gaze shifted to the entrance of the restaurant, and Aiden’s followed as a clean-cut guy strutted in like he owned the place. His wily eyes surveyed the room, landing on Abby. An amused smirk crawled into place. Aiden stepped forward just as the guy threw his arms out to his sides and said, “There’s the hottest cook around. How’s it going, sweet lips?” With an arrogant wink, he added, “Still kiss as good as you cook?”
Abby’s smile conveyed a twist of annoyance, making Aiden’s protective instincts surge. He wanted to step between them, but this guy obviously knew Abby well, and he fought the urge, giving her space to handle him.
“Wells Silver, to what do I owe this pleasure?” She set down the scraper and wiped her hands on her shorts as she walked toward him.
Aiden remembered Fitz mentioning his brothers and sisters. He wondered if Fitz, who had come across as laid-back and professional, was as cocky as Wells when he wasn’t at the resort.
“I heard you were back in town, and I thought I’d come by and say hello,” Wells said, eyeing Cait. “Well, hello to you, too.”
Cait narrowed her eyes and straightened her spine, staring him down.
Good girl. Don’t let this douchebag intimidate you.
Abby rolled her eyes. “Get your eyes off Cait and give me a hug.”
Aiden gritted his teeth. He didn’t want that guy’s hands anywhere near Abby. Wells made an mm-mm sound as he embraced her, but Abby pushed him away, still smiling as she said, “Same old Wells. You never change.”
“Take another look, babe.” Wells motioned to his athletic body, his biceps straining the fabric of his tight T-shirt. “I’ve been working out harder since the last time I saw you.”
“You’re a goof. Let me introduce you to my sister, Cait.”
“Hi,” Cait said a little coldly, her eyes never leaving his.
“Sister?” Wells looked puzzled.
“Yes. We just found out that we’re sisters. Isn’t that great?” Abby’s unyielding positivity tugged at Aiden.
“In that case, sis”—Wells raised his brows at Cait and said—“if you want someone to show you around the island, I’m your guy.”
“Ugh. Give her a break, Wells,” Abby chided him. “She knows you two-timed me and Leni in high school.”
You dated this guy?
“There was enough of me to go around, and you were both hot,” Wells said.
“Dream on.” Abby turned to introduce Aiden, but before she could get a word out, he slid his arm around her waist, showing the guy how far Abby had come, and offered his other hand to Wells. “I’m Aiden. Nice to meet you.”
“Good to meet you, too.” Wells shook his hand, curious eyes moving between Aiden and Abby. “You’re not from around here.”
Aiden held his gaze. “That’s right, but I’m sticking around for a while.”
“Cool.” Wells pushed a hand through his thick hair and said, “Stop by the Rock Bottom Bar and Grill sometime and I’ll buy you a drink. It’s down by Rock Harbor Marina.”
“You a bartender there?” Aiden asked.
Wells chuckled. “I own the place. I was actually coming by to offer my condolences again. Did you get the flowers I sent you after your mom passed, Abby?”
“I did, thank you. That was sweet of you.”
Maybe he isn’t a total douchebag.
“Yeah, I remember things weren’t always easy, but still. I can’t imagine losing my mom.” Wells sounded genuinely compassionate. “I also wanted to see if you were interested in selling the restaurant. I know your mom was having a hard time of it the last few years, and I thought I’d take the place off your hands. At a fair price, of course. Save you the time of having to clean it up before putting it on the market.”
There was no way in hell Aiden was going to let this guy take Abby’s dream away. “Abby’s keeping it,” he said firmly, then immediately chastised himself for stepping in and taking over. He softened his tone and said, “Right, Abs? That’s your plan?”
“Yes, that’s my plan. I appreciate the offer, Wells, but I’m excited about digging my heels in and bringing the restaurant back to life.”
Wells looked around with a skeptical expression. “It’s going to take quite a bit of cash to bring this restaurant around.”
“Sweat equity goes a long way,” Abby said.
“And she has money,” Cait said. “Deirdra and I are helping her.”