Noah enters the room, and I jump back from her. She staggers a bit before she regains her footing. “Hey,” I say to Noah. “You’re home late.”
A slow smile spreads across his face. “Yeah.” His gaze bounces between us. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” we both say at once.
Kiki shoves the bowls in the dishwasher making more noise than needed, and I shrug. “Just cleaning up.”
Noah hitches up his belt, his handcuffs clanging together. His smile grows wider. “Right.”
Heat creeps up my neck. “Well, I’d better get to work.” I leave the kitchen and go back to my office, but I spend the morning thinking about the kiss we shared the other night and reading the same sentences over and over.
By lunch time, I’ve gotten a few things crossed off my to do list, but it’s growing instead of shrinking. I shouldn’t be taking time off. It’s for Ellie, I tell myself, but I know I’m lying.
We pile into the car, and I head towards the gallery. Skyler looks out the window at the seagulls. “Can we go back to the marina?”
“Not today, Little Pup. We’ve got some things to do. We’re going to see Ellie and Josephine.”
I pull into a parking space in the street outside of the gallery and cut the engine. The gallery stands a block away from the downtown square. Mom and Pop shops line the streets around the center of the town, with the courthouse in the middle. The gallery is in a mid-sized two-story space that used to be a house. It’s turquoise and white with a cute, hand-painted sign out front.
We get out of the car, and Ellie comes out of the gallery to meet us. “Miss Kiki, we’re so glad you came. We need lots of help.”
Skyler runs up to Ellie. “I came to help, too.”
Josephine comes out onto the sidewalk. “I need your help the most, Miss Skyler.” She holds out her hand and Skyler runs to her.
We enter the gallery, and Ellie gives Kiki the grand tour, showing her all the rooms they have and how they’re making room for some of Mackenzie’s paintings. We end the tour in the back room that’s been set up classroom style. “This is where Mackenzie will teach her watercolor class.”
“This is a great space. I love the hardwood floors and the crown molding.” Kiki slowly turns around in the space. “What can I do for you?”
Ellie wrings her hands. “I want to decorate the gallery somehow, but I don’t know what to do. Can you give me some ideas?”
Kiki walks out of the classroom and through the rooms full of art. “What about twinkle lights above the artwork? And maybe some centerpieces would be nice for the tables in the classroom.How about creating some decorations like glass bowls with sand and seashells? Something that gives people the island feel?”
Ellie clasps her hands together. “I love it. What a great idea. We don’t have a craft store on the island. Would you and Tobias be willing to go to the mainland this afternoon and get those supplies?”
Ellie bats her eyes at Kiki, and I hold in a groan. There it is. Her matchmaking. She’s sending us off on a trip together.
“I can watch Miss Skyler,” Josephine says as she and Skyler walk into the room. “I have a new ice cream maker that needs testing out.”
“Ice cream!” Skyler shouts.
Josephine crouches next to Skyler. “Would you like to come to my house and help me make some ice cream?”
“Yes!” Skyler jumps up and down.
And there it is. The final piece of the plan falling into place. I knew Ellie and Josephine were conspiring to get me and Kiki alone together.
Kiki looks to me, and I nod. “Sure, we can go get the supplies for your decorations.”
Ellie pulls out an envelope and presses it into my hand. “Take that woman out to a nice dinner while you’re there. My treat.”
I try to hand it back to her, but she won’t take it, and I sigh. “Ellie, I don’t need your money.”
“You deserve a night on the town.” She tugs on my arm. “Let’s eat lunch.”
Ellie ushers us onto the back porch where the women have set up a cozy table for two. I raise my eyebrows at Kiki, and she bites her lips, letting me know she’s onto them as well. “Aren’t we all eating together?” Kiki asks.
“Oh, Skyler won’t want this. Josephine has made her peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in the other room. I want you two to tell me what you think of these for the festival.” Ellie pulls outa tray of cute cucumber sandwiches cut in small triangles, along with some petit fours, macarons, and some deviled eggs. “Please, sit down,” she commands.
