Page 16 of Banter & Blushes #1

CADE

ONE YEAR LATER

I whip into the parking spot in front of Plot Twists and Perfect Matches.

The smaller sign below the big one has been amended to read, “Now serving tea and coffee.” I chuckle because I was the one who convinced my sweet wife and her best friend that neighboring businesses can both serve coffee.

When I pointed out that a MacDonalds is often located near a Starbucks and there’s no disruption in the universe because they both serve coffee, they readily capitulated.

The bells over the door jingle as I enter, and a soothing aroma fills the air from Luna’s latest essential oils blend—that she’s aptly named CALM. Hints of lavender, jasmine, and sandalwood drift through the air. A new age–sounding instrumental song plays softly in the background.

“Cade? What are you doing here?” Luna says, her eyes brightening as she lugs a tray from the back room. It’s filled with delicious pastries; I spot fudgy black bean brownies and my mouth waters.

“Can’t a guy just stop in to see his wife?” I tease, my spontaneous visit obviously a pleasant surprise. Taking the tray from her hands, I plant a kiss on her cheek and load the goodies into the bakery case .

She grunts and gives me a skeptical look. “You’re checking up on my newest offering, aren’t you?”

“Maybe?”

She shakes her head, a smile playing around her lips. “Just because it was your idea doesn’t mean we’ll sell out on day one.”

“But I have such a good feeling about them.”

“Right,” she snorts. “Just like your good feeling about those keyrings.”

“In my defense, they looked better online than in person.”

Her laughter tinkles throughout the shop. “And now I can hardly give them away.” She nods towards the display holding the garish trinkets.

“But bracelets are all the rage. Case in point: Taylor Swift fans,” I huff.

“Those are friendship bracelets,” my wife informs me.

“But who doesn’t want a beachship bracelet while in a beach town?

I’m wearing mine,” I say, holding up my arm.

Glancing down I read the words circling my wrist: “The beach is calling.” Looking into her gorgeous eyes, I admit with a pout, “Your business savvy is better than mine.” All along I thought I wanted to marry a corporate hotshot, but marrying this smart, successful business owner was exactly what I needed.

She chuckles and pats my hand, content to wait and see whether we’ve hit on a viral sensation or another loss leader. “How about a brownie and a cup of coffee?”

“Got any of that beach blend?”

“Of course I do! Sit at a table and I’ll join you with our treats,” she says, then floats away. Her brightly colored skirt sways enticingly, and her fuchsia-and-pink Chuck Taylors tap, tap, tap against the wooden floor.

I take a table in the back even though the shop is still empty.

Glancing at the clock I realize I did jump the gun a bit by coming here so early.

The store has only been open for fifteen minutes.

Did I really expect a rush on the bracelets so quickly?

Truth be told, I wanted to see my wife and get a sweet treat.

Even though we took our morning beach walk and she’s only been away from our bungalow for a little over an hour, I missed her.

It’s been fun working with Luna to expand her business over the last year.

I pat myself on the back for convincing her to sell coffee because it’s brought in a whole new crowd of tourists to browse books and drink coffee.

I could tell she wanted to sell coffee but was held back by the coin flip, so all I really did was convince her to talk to Zoe.

And now book sales are at an all-time high, and most visitors also purchase a souvenir trinket to go along with their book.

Not to mention how they can’t seem to resist also buying a pastry.

“Are you headed over to the development after you satisfy your sweet tooth?” Luna teases when she joins me at the table. I dig into my fudgy black bean brownie before replying. Luna sips her chai tea as I take a swig of the strong coffee, letting the caffeine and sugar hit my system.

“Yep, it’s solar panel installation week.”

I used my trust fund money and purchased Hugo’s prime beachfront property.

Then I formed a company focused on developing the land in an eco-friendly way, involving sustainable building materials and preserving the natural beach habitat.

In addition to the tasteful, one-story rental villas, we’re designing a community beachfront park with an open-air amphitheater for concerts and theater productions, plus a couple dozen picnic areas surrounded by native plants and accessible via elevated boardwalks to minimize disturbance to the ecosystem.

“You’re becoming quite the conservationist. I’m so proud of you. I’m also thankful you put an end to all those ugly high-rise condominiums the other buyers were proposing.”

I tap my cup to hers, and warmth fills my heart knowing that I’ve made my sweet wife proud. “Hugo’s quite pleased as well.”

After I saw all the other plans for the property, I simply couldn’t let those eyesores be built.

And Hugo couldn’t either. I still occasionally dabble in real estate sales on the side, but being an eco-conscious land developer is my new calling.

With all the acres of undeveloped beachside land in the area, I’m going to be busy for a long time.

The big city isn’t even a draw anymore. Luna and Seabreeze Harbor are my home now.

After our successful match, Luna expanded her matchmaking business. I convinced her if she can find a perfect match for grumpy Anders and for me, she can find one for anyone.

Luna just earned her Gold Level Cupid Certification, and she also won the Distinction in Matchmaking award after several recent successful matches. Much to my shock and surprise, she matched Hugo with Gabrielle Moore. An age gap romance at its finest.

As it turns out, my sweet wife played a hand in sabotaging my date with Gabrielle. Luna confessed to the musk perfume incident, but I instantly forgave her. A few sneezes were a fine price to pay to end that horrible date.

Zoe grumbles every time Luna tries to match her up with someone, but I’m convinced one day Luna is going to find her friend a match that sticks.

Recently I thought that the new fishing expeditions guide had fallen for the beautiful baker, but Zoe and he dated a couple of times and then they separated, neither one commenting on the cause of the break-up.

I’m grateful that Luna’s attempts at playing Cupid with my love life ended in abysmal failures. It’s as if Cupid’s arrow that was meant for Gabrielle, Caroline, or Margorie rebounded and hit Luna instead—a most fortunate blunder.

Knowing that customers will start showing up at any minute, I haul her to her feet and plant a lingering kiss on her luscious lips. That zing of attraction zips between us as always. “I was worried that I hadn’t kissed you yet this morning, Mrs. Bainbridge.”

She blushes a deep crimson, then whispers. “You didn’t forget, Mr. Bainbridge.” Time stops and we kiss for one minute or five—I lose track—but when the bells jingle, she pulls back. The smile that takes over her beautiful face is as radiant as the sunrise this morning. “I need to get to work.”

“How about I bring lunch?”

“I’d love that. Bring one of those fish sandwiches from The Golden Anchor.” With a final peck on my lips, she trots off. The fancy restaurant just started a casual, affordable lunch service, catering to tourists. I chuckle. Am I finally going to have a successful meal from that establishment?

A moment of reflection and gratitude hits. While she’s not the Mrs. Bainbridge I thought I wanted, Luna’s the perfect wife for me. Thankfully the universe intervened and I followed my heart.

THE END

Thank you for reading Cupid’s Beachside Blunder .