Beach Wedding by Bella Cruise Read Free Book Online

to celebrate Pixie and Clyde, and their perfect love story.
Don’t you want to be a part of that?” she urges the room,
cheerful. “You strike me as a town that takes pride in their
community. You could share that pride, and show the world that
Pelican Key Claw is the home of real love, and the friendliest faces
in all of Florida.”
    She’s so enthusiastic nobody notices her slip. The crowd turn
back our way again, with nods and murmurs of agreement, but it’s
all just a blur to me. I’m still focused on Luke, standing with
his arms folded at the back of the room.
    Marcie continues working her charm. “Just think, getting to
show off your hometown on national TV! Who gets a chance like that?
You can show your grandkids how you gave this happy couple the most
glorious wedding of their dreams. Let’s pass these permits and
make it happen. All those in favor?”
    “Now wait a minute—” Greta tries to stop her, but
Marcie’s got the crowd in the palm of her hand. There’s a
loud chorus of ‘ayes’ and raised hands.
    Marcie beams. “Motion passes. The wedding is on!”

 

Chapter Six
     
    Marcie is all smiles as we exit the meeting. She’s texting or
emailing someone back in New York, talking a mile a minute about
production schedules and location budget and extended filming. I’m
still in a daze from Luke’s surprise appearance. I knew running
into him was a possibility, but somehow, he still knocked me out.
    Why does he have to look so damn good?
    “Who’s that?” Nick/and/or/Neil asks, joining us on
the steps.
    “Huh?” I blink.
    “The grumpy neighbor.” Nick nods to where Luke is
chatting with Wes outside. “Let me guess, he’s the one
yelling at kids to get off his lawn?”
    “I don’t know…” I say faintly. “I
don’t really know him anymore.
    Marcie finally looks up from her phone. “We’ve got half
an hour before we leave for the airport. Where do you get a drink in
this town?”
     
    I take the whole gang to Lenny’s, a two-minute walk away. It’s
the same divey beach bar, heavy on the Tiki theme, but they have cold
beer on tap and the best fries in town.
    Marcie looks around suspiciously. “Do you have a cocktail
list?” she asks the bartender.
    He smirks, and points to the driftwood sign above the bar.
    “There’s something for everyone, and that something
is beer.”
    “Fine,” Marcie sighs. “Beer it is, all round.”
    We grab our drinks and head to a booth out on the beach patio. “To
Pixie and Clyde,” Marcie toasts, “and their full season
here in Pelican Coal Key!”
    “Wait, what?” I pause with the beer halfway to my mouth.
“I thought this was just one episode.”
    “Haven’t you been listening?” Marcie rolls her
eyes. “This is ratings gold. The town meetings, the mayor, the gazebo . We’re milking this baby for everything it’s
worth. A month of filming, minimum.”
    “But we said it wouldn’t be a zoo,” I protest,
worried.
    “Relax, I know what I’m doing. Besides, they don’t
seem to mind getting a little Hollywood glamor in town.” Marcie
nods to the corner. Clyde and Pixie have been mobbed by local fans,
asking for autographs and posing for photos.
    I’m not convinced.
    “You got us in the door. I can take it from here.” Marcie
sounds confident. “Just worry about the wedding plans, and I’ll
manage the rest.”
    I take a sip of beer. I need it. A month in town with Luke
Porter waiting around every corner. I won’t be able to avoid
him, even if I try.
    I remember the cool look in his eyes back at the town meeting, and
that unreadable expression. He might not have given his feelings
away, but I’m guessing they’re not good.
    I don’t blame him. I high-tailed out of this place the night
before graduation, and never even said goodbye. I never told him the
reasons I was leaving. I can’t be surprised if he’s not
rolling out the welcome wagon, ten years after I broke both our
hearts.
    I force myself to put the painful memories