Always a Blogger. Never a Bride?

Word on the street is that Sawyer Wallace, editor in chief of our favorite—but financially strapped—local paper, has been offered a hot deal to save the Bayside Bugle! All he’s got to do is reveal the identity of the Bayside Blogger. Even if doing so means losing Riley Hudson, his oldest friend. And, maybe, the woman making him rethink his singleton status!

Riley’s just as crazy about her best bud and boss—which is why she’s always kept him at a distance. Plus, only Sawyer knows her real identity. Talk about compromising positions... Would revealing the truth destroy their chance at leaving the friendzone? Or perhaps there will be wedding bells for this couple, who truly are meant for each other!

He placed the blanket around her shoulders and adjusted it so that it covered all of her. But he lingered. And his fingers brushed over her collarbone, inciting another shiver that had nothing to do with the weather.

Sawyer must have noticed and his eyes focused on her lips. Before she could protest, he was tugging the blanket toward him, which had the added effect of bringing her right to him. Riley raised her head. Big mistake. It only put his sumptuous mouth in front of her.

How could she resist?

They stood like that for a moment. A long, heated moment. She didn’t know who moved first. Maybe they both did. She let out a gasp and then once again, their lips met.

Who knew Sawyer Wallace could kiss like this? If he wasn’t holding her up by the blanket, her knees would have given out.

After what felt like hours, they parted. Gently, he kissed the tip of her nose before pulling her in for a long hug.

“Riley, that was—”

“Something that absolutely cannot happen again,” she finished sadly.

* * *

Saved By The Blog: This matchmaking gossip columnist won’t stop until true love wins!

Bayside’s Most Unexpected

Bride

Kerri Carpenter

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Award-winning romance author KERRI CARPENTER writes contemporary romances that are sweet, sexy and sparkly. When she’s not writing, Kerri enjoys reading, cooking, watching movies, taking Zumba classes, rooting for Pittsburgh sports teams and anything sparkly. Kerri lives in Northern Virginia with her adorable (and mischievous) rescued poodle mix, Harry. Visit Kerri at her website, www.kerricarpenter.com, on Facebook (Facebook.com/AuthorKerri), Twitter and Instagram (@authorkerri), or subscribe to her newsletter.

For my very own small town,

the place that made me who I am today.

To my hometown of Monessen and

all of those fellow Greyhounds

who have been supporting me since day one.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas... Well, kind of. Thanksgiving is right around the corner and before we know it, the Yuletide season will be here. Looks like everyone’s favorite editor in chief is starting the festivities early by spending time with local hottie Holly Carron. The duo were spotted at The Brewside yesterday looking quite cozy. And right when everyone thought Bayside’s forever bachelor would never settle down! Stay tuned for more developing details...

Riley studied the screen in front of her and pursed her lips. Yep, Sawyer was going to be pissed. The Bayside Blogger strikes again. He hated when she wrote about him.

Who didn’t?

Riley fluffed her red hair, held back with an oversize blue headband to complement her green-and-blue-plaid dress with the adorable white collar. She’d seen this dress in the store and knew instantly that she could rock the retro vibe. What would the ubiquitous Bayside Blogger say about her outfit? Riley grinned. She knew exactly what she’d say.

Everyone’s favorite ex-Manhattanite Riley Hudson is sporting her wannabe New York fashion in small-town Virginia. Hard to be fashion forward when she’s just copying Kim Kardashian’s recent ensemble. Always the bridesmaid, Riley.

“Hey, Ri, did you file that article on the upcoming holiday movies?”

Riley glanced up to see her coworker Claudia Thomas hovering above her cubicle. Claudia was the most striking woman Riley had ever seen, with her long, jet-black hair, delicate features and statuesque six-foot height. Definitely didn’t fit into their quaint coastal town on the Chesapeake Bay. She was also the senior editor in the Style & Entertainment section, which Riley wrote for.

“Yep, just sent it your way. I think I covered the majority of the new ones, plus I added my top-ten holiday classics. Got a couple good quotes from the guys over at the Palace Movie Theater, too.”

“Excellent,” Claudia said with a big smile. She spotted Riley’s computer screen and gestured toward it. “I see you’re reading the Bayside Blogger’s column today. Sawyer is gonna be pissed.”

“Uh, yeah, just finished it. But I don’t know why he would be. A ton of people saw him at The Brewside with Holly yesterday.”

Claudia leaned onto the wall of Riley’s cubicle. “But you know how he hates to be featured in that column. The Bayside Blogger should really tread lightly, especially since Sawyer is the only person who knows her identity.”

Riley fidgeted in her chair. “It’s not like he would out her. Or him. Not after all this time.”

“Maybe not.” Claudia lowered her voice conspiratorially. “You think it’s serious with him and Holly?”

Riley suddenly felt uncomfortable. She shrugged. “Who knows?”

Sawyer Wallace was more than the editor in chief and owner of the Bayside Bugle. More than her boss. She’d known him her entire life. Two years older than her, their families were very close and had always shared holidays, vacations, barbecues and practically every important milestone.

Sawyer was like an annoying older brother, only...not brotherly at all.

“My friend Vivica asked him out a couple weeks ago.”

Riley perked up at that tidbit. She straightened in her chair. “Really? I didn’t know that.”

“Probably because Sawyer turned her down. Crazy, because Vivica is the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen. But, personally, I think something’s going on with him.”

They both turned toward the glass office in the corner of the newsroom where Sawyer was intently studying his computer screen.

“Something bad?” Riley asked.

“You tell me. Your families are tight.”

Riley eyed Sawyer in his office again. Apparently not that tight. Although, he had been extra surly lately. Sawyer did that whole stereotypical moody-writer thing well. But it never bothered her. In fact, she always knew how to make him lighten up and laugh.

“I say we get him drunk at this year’s holiday party and force him to reveal the identity of the Bayside Blogger,” Claudia said.

Riley smiled. “I don’t think there’s enough spiked eggnog on the planet to get that closely guarded secret out of him. Besides, I’ve tried.”

Everyone in town had tried at one point or another. The Bayside Blogger not only had a daily column in The Bayside Bugle, but she—or he—also had a blog and utilized every social media channel imaginable. No one was off-limits—the blogger always seemed to know everything about everyone, anytime, anywhere.

“I can’t believe he won’t tell anyone who she is. Even us. We work here, for goodness sake. And that damn Blogger is published in my section.”

“We should go on strike,” Riley stated dramatically, making Claudia laugh.

“You may be onto something. In the meantime, I’m going to read over your article. Oh, by the way, my husband and I are going to take a weekend trip to New York in December. You know, see the holiday windows and the big tree and Rockefeller Center.”

Riley tensed. “Cool.”

“I know you lived there for a while. Maybe you can give us some restaurant recommendations.”

She twisted her fingers together. “Well, you know New York. Everything’s constantly changing. I haven’t been back in a couple years. I’m totally out of touch.”

But she wasn’t. After graduating from Syracuse, Riley had moved to the city that never sleeps. She’d worked at a start-up marketing firm writing copy and social media posts. She’d lived in a massively overpriced studio apartment where she’d had to store her shoes in her oven and hang her laundry from her curtain rods.

It had been fabulous. Everything she’d always wanted. Living in the greatest city in the world. She’d stayed out late and seen Broadway shows and walked down Fifth Avenue at night. As often as her entry-level salary allowed, she’d tried new restaurants and bakeries. She’d been dazzled by the lights, the sounds, the people.

At least, that’s what she let people think of her experience in the Big Apple. It was easier to pretend her life was closer to Friends than Two Broke Girls.

When she’d returned to Bayside for holidays, she’d never been able to let the truth slip, which was that pretending to be a sophisticated young twentysomething in Manhattan was exhausting. And frustrating. And expensive. And...disappointing.

She’d wanted to live in Manhattan forever. She’d had a whole picture of what her life would be like, but the reality never matched up to it.

She was supposed to have an amazing job, a large apartment with tall windows that overlooked Central Park, a group of friends to rival Monica, Rachel and Phoebe. And, of course, her cool boyfriend would be the icing on the cupcake.

But that’s not how Connor McKenzie turned out to be.

She frowned. She’d seen no harm in dating her coworker. After all, their company hadn’t had a policy against it. At least, that’s what he’d told her. Why wouldn’t little old naive twenty-two-year-old Riley believe the dazzling, successful thirty-year-old Connor?

So, all had been well...until it wasn’t. She’d moved back home.

Well, more like run back with her tail between her legs. Now she never talked about her time in Manhattan if she could help it. Or she’d tell people the version she knew they expected to hear. At twenty-nine, Riley had definitely learned her lesson.

Claudia’s face fell and Riley relented. She hated letting anyone down. “I mean, I guess I could put a list together. Remind me.”

This seemed to appease Claudia. “Great. And don’t forget, editorial meeting this afternoon.”

“Wouldn’t miss it.”

Riley watched her editor walk to her office before returning to her screen and studying Sawyer’s name embedded in the Bayside Blogger’s column. Maybe Claudia was wrong. Maybe he wouldn’t get too mad about it.

“Hudson.” Sawyer’s voice boomed out from his office. “Get in here.”

As she got up and adjusted her dress, more than one head turned in her direction with sympathetic eyes. Never a good thing when Sawyer used his outdoor voice. Or called her by her last name.

“What’s with him?” Dennis, her next-door cubicle mate, asked quietly.

“Dunno. Probably pissed about that restaurant review I did. They were an advertiser.”

“Hold strong.” He touched his stomach. “I ate there, too. It wasn’t good.”

Riley grabbed her notebook and pen. “Will do.” Then she headed toward Sawyer with the sinking feeling she already knew what this was about.

When she reached his office, she stayed where she was in the doorway. She crossed her legs, accentuating the fabulous brown suede knee-high boots she’d bought in DC last weekend when she and her best friend, Elle, had driven to the city for a girls’ weekend.

“Hey, boss. What’s up?”

He steepled his hands on his desk and peered at her with his dreamy hazel eyes.

Damn. Dreamy? She meant irritating. Beady even.

The weather was unseasonably cold already and he was sporting a pair of corduroy pants and a somewhat ugly argyle sweater that she knew had been a Christmas gift from his mother last year. Not the most stylish of outfits and yet somehow he looked like he’d walked out of the pages of an L.L.Bean catalog. Just because he was tall with broad shoulders and had really cute sandy-brown hair that flopped on his head because he needed a haircut. And today he was wearing his glasses. What was it about a large lumberjack-looking man who wore glasses? Why did that make her stomach twist up into knots? And then there was his lopsided smile...

What in the heck was she doing? This was Sawyer Wallace, lifelong friend and, more importantly, boss. She couldn’t size him up like a piece of meat. Especially because they worked together. Especially because of what had happened to her in New York.

“Riley,” he began.

“Sawyer,” she countered, and bit her lip in anticipation.

He reached into his top desk drawer and pulled out a colorful silk scarf. “Before I forget, Tony found this at The Brewside. Said you left it there a couple of weeks ago and he kept forgetting to give it to you.”

She reached for the bright yellow scarf with lime-green polka dots. One of her favorites.

“Thanks,” she mumbled. “Tony must have given this to you while you were on your date.” She used air quotes for the word date and wiggled her eyebrows.

Sawyer exhaled a long breath.

“What?” she asked, feigning innocence.

“‘Bayside’s forever bachelor’?” he quoted. “Really?”

She shrugged.

“I thought I told you to keep me out of the Bayside Blogger’s column.”

* * *

Riley stepped into his office and closed the door. She didn’t sit in either of the chairs in front of the ancient oak desk in his office. The desk that had belonged to his great-great-grandfather. Instead, she remained standing in front of him, wearing a sexy little dress that looked like something he’d once seen on a rerun of The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Not to mention those boots that showcased her shapely legs.

She was wringing her hands, he noticed. That meant she’d already realized he wasn’t going to like being an item in her gossip column.

“You wrote about me? Seriously?”

Riley scrunched up her nose in a way he found distracting. And...cute. “I’ve written about you before. Besides, it wouldn’t be fair to exclude you just because you work at the Bugle.”

He arched a brow. “Because I own the Bugle, you mean?”

“Well, no one’s off-limits. That was the deal we made when I started doing this.”

“I know. Believe me, I know.” Did he ever. When Riley had originally pitched him the idea of a gossip column he’d had no idea what the Bayside Blogger would become. He’d only said yes because she’d been so excited about it.

After she’d returned from New York City, the usually bubbly girl he’d known forever had been different. Somber, quiet, less bubbly. Not for the first time, Sawyer wondered what exactly had happened to her in Manhattan. But she never talked about it and changed the subject if New York was even brought up.

His phone chirped and he saw a text message from his mother. He gestured to his phone. “Do you see this? You have my mom reading your column.”

“I love your mom. Tell her I said hi.”

Sawyer gritted his teeth. “My mom follows the Bayside Blogger. My mom mentioned the article and I told her it wasn’t true. She just asked me via text if I was planning to propose to Holly and when I said no, she asked if I was gay.”

“Fair question,” she said with a wry smile.

He nailed her with a hard stare. Riley remained completely unaffected. They’d known each other too long for intimidation. Hell, they’d known each other their entire lives. Of course, that’s what happened when you grew up in a small coastal town like Bayside, Virginia.

“You know I’m not gay.”

Her gaze ran over him. “Of course you’re not gay. Look at that outfit.”

“Cute.”

“Thanks.” She plopped down in a chair. “Honestly, I don’t know what you’re upset about. I didn’t write anything that bad.”

He leaned toward her. “You said I was on a date.”

“I had multiple sources email and direct message me on Twitter about your little daytime rendezvous.”

Sawyer knew Riley got tips all day long from her many sources. For, as much as they complained, the residents of Bayside couldn’t keep themselves from joining the gossip train. They apparently loved helping the Bayside Blogger report on one another. They emailed her directly or through the Bugle’s website and left Facebook and Twitter messages. Last summer Riley had been able to take a weeklong vacation without the gossip stopping.

He’d claim the whole thing was preposterous, but the numbers didn’t lie. The gossip column was the most viewed area of the online edition of the paper. He couldn’t help but wonder what his ancestors who’d started the newspaper would think of that.

Still, he wasn’t letting her off the hook that easily. “You know I wasn’t on a date with Holly.”

She raised her nose in a regal gesture. “I know nothing of the kind.”

“She’s one of our best freelance photographers. We were meeting about an assignment.” Even he could hear the defensiveness in his voice. And why did he feel the need to explain himself to Riley?

“You could’ve met here at the office.”

“I needed caffeine.” And he’d needed to get away for a little bit.

Running a daily newspaper wasn’t the easiest of jobs these days. Not that it ever had been. Balancing editorial with the business side, advertisers and marketing. Not to mention the dwindling circulation numbers.

He really wished he didn’t have to mention that.

“Is the Bugle in trouble?”

Damn, she was the most perceptive person he’d ever met. Probably why she was so good at being the Bayside Blogger.

He noticed the concern on her face. It probably mirrored his own. Still, he didn’t want to worry her or anyone on staff. So far he’d been able to keep all of the financial concerns to himself. “No more than every other paper in the country.”

“Maybe you could raise the price. I’m sure people would pay...”

He shook his head as she trailed off. “You know that circulation doesn’t keep newspapers afloat. Advertisers do.”

A small line formed on her forehead as she considered that. “But you said that advertisers have been fighting to get in.”

“Just in your section.” Which was true. Everyone wanted to appear in the Bayside Blogger’s section since they knew that everyone in town was reading the gossip. Bayside had its fair share of restaurants and local businesses, but a small town offered only so many resources. And without more advertising, they’d be closing up shop by the end of the next summer season.

The truth was, Riley’s question was on target. The Bugle was in trouble. Sawyer had tried to stay on top of it by utilizing their website and digital edition and making sure the design was up-to-date. He’d even downsized the print edition to cut costs at every corner.

But now he had some tough decisions to make, the biggest being layoffs. He was already running with a skeleton crew in the advertising department. He hated to think about shrinking the editorial team. He swiped a hand over his face. Employee layoffs at Christmastime. Could there be anything worse?

“Sawyer, are you okay? What’s going on?”

Riley’s voice pulled him out of his funk even though he knew he was going to have to deal with it soon. In the meantime, he’d explore all options and do everything in his power to not have to fire anyone. At Christmas or any other time. And he’d definitely work hard to keep this from his team. Even if it meant not drawing his own salary.

“Nothing is going on and I’m fine. Stop worrying. On to other business. The upcoming Christmas Kickoff Festival.”

Riley eyed him skeptically for another moment before flipping open her reporter’s notebook. “Day after Thanksgiving, just like always.”

“With a twist,” Sawyer interjected. “Usually, this is a townie thing. But I was at the council meeting the other night. They want to go big, attract people from other towns and areas of Virginia.”

“Impressive.”

“They want it to be a smaller version of New York’s lighting of the Rockefeller Center tree.”

He noticed her pen skip at the mention of New York. “I want you to cover the event. This is right up your alley. Plus, you lived there, so you’d have the experience of knowing what their ceremony is like.”

“I never went to the tree lighting when I lived there,” she said in a soft voice.

Sawyer knew that wasn’t true. Riley had lived in New York for four years. During that time, she’d always been active on social media, and he remembered seeing her Facebook pictures of tree lightings over the years. But, once again, she didn’t want to talk about New York. So, once again, he would let it go. For now.

“Still, I’d like you to head up the festival for the Bugle. Let’s start getting some pre-event coverage in both the print and online editions.”

Now she was scribbling in her notebook. Concentrating. Looking sexy as hell.

Get a grip, Wallace.

“Oh, I wanted to ask you about that recent social media promotion you and Claudia ran. Why were the numbers so low?”

Her gaze flicked up quickly to his. Her eyes narrowed. “The numbers were fine. Normal.”

“Not from the report you sent me. The reach was lower than the last contest.”

She gifted him with an overdramatic sigh. “How many times do I have to explain social media to you?”

The side of his mouth twitched but he held in the smile. One of his favorite things about Riley was how bright she was. Most people didn’t realize that under her coordinated outfits and talk of the latest docudrama airing on Bravo, Riley had a shrewd eye for social media, pop culture and how to use those things in business.

“Humor me,” he told her.

“You were looking at the total reach of the posts on all the platforms. Did you check the organic reach? The numbers were fabulous, especially considering how you cut our social media advertising budget to shreds.”

“I don’t see how that—”

She continued on her rant and Sawyer couldn’t follow it, although, he was impressed as hell. He might not understand a lick of what she was saying, but he really loved watching how passionate she became as she explained it.

“Are you listening to me?”

Her question jerked him away from his thoughts. He decided that talking to Riley about social media wasn’t going to help anything. Especially because he didn’t want to reveal that she was going to have even less money in the budget next year.

“What are you up to this weekend?” he asked.

If his change in topic came as a surprise to her, she didn’t show it. “Same as you,” she said with a bemused smile. He racked his brain and couldn’t think of any shared family gatherings until Thanksgiving. Riley rolled her eyes. “Tomorrow is Elle and Cam’s engagement party at the Dumont estate. There’s no way you could have forgotten that.”

His turn to roll his eyes. “Blocked, perhaps.”

“Sawyer, it’s not that bad. Most people love when the Dumonts throw parties.”

“Which is practically every week.”

The Dumont family had also been in Bayside for generations. They owned Dumont Incorporated, headed up by Jasper Dumont now. Jasper was Cam’s brother and Sawyer was close with both of them. He was happy his friend had popped the question to Elle. Thrilled to celebrate with them. What he didn’t particularly look forward to was dressing in a monkey suit and mingling with most of the town at yet another black-tie party.

He saw the excitement on Riley’s face, though. This kind of event was much more her thing. She was so good at socializing and enjoying large crowds. Not to mention, she looked damn fine in a gown.

“Come on,” she cooed. “There has to be something about tomorrow’s party you can look forward to.”

An image of her in a tight black dress from the last Dumont soiree flitted into his mind. All of that amazing red hair had been piled in curls atop her head. Her shoulders had been bare and she’d worn the sexiest pair of stilettos... His mouth went dry thinking about it.

He almost jerked backward. What in the heck was he doing? He couldn’t think about Riley like that. He could still remember the doll she used to carry around when they were kids.

“Earth to Sawyer,” she said impatiently.

“There’s always the free alcohol,” he covered.

Oblivious to his thoughts, she nodded. “There you go. Now, you just have to get your date Holly on board.”

He gritted his teeth. “I am not dating Holly.”

“I wouldn’t care if you were.” Her eyes narrowed as she considered. “Are you bringing anyone else tomorrow? Like, as a date?”

He shook his head. “Nope. You?” He held his breath.

“No. It’s hard to be Riley Hudson, the Bayside Blogger, and enjoy being on a date. You know that.”

He did. She committed her life to the Bugle, sacrificing much of her social life to write the column that was keeping the paper in the black—barely. He opened his mouth to thank her, but the words caught in his throat. The sun was slanting through the blinds, highlighting her coppery hair, the freckles on her ivory nose, that amazing body.

Had she always been this beautiful? Why was he only noticing her now, when he couldn’t possibly make a move?

Ah, heck. He was feeling something for his lifelong friend that he had no business feeling.

She stood to leave but hesitated next to her chair. “Sawyer, are you sure you’re okay?”

“Uh, yeah, I’m fine.”

She reached for the door but turned back again. “And the Bugle is fine, too? It’s not in any trouble?”

Her hand was on her hip, accentuating the fact that even for a petite woman she had curves. He swallowed hard. “Don’t worry, Riley. Everything will be fine.”

Sawyer wasn’t entirely sure if she believed him. She lingered a moment more before departing.

He felt bad about lying to his oldest friend, saying the Bugle wasn’t in trouble. But it sure was—and so was he.

Chapter Two

Who’s excited for tonight’s party at the Dumonts’? I can’t think of a better way to ring in the holiday season than champagne and dancing with a view of the bay! And you just never know who might show up at a Dumont affair, so this blogger is keeping her eyes open, Baysiders!

Riley crossed the terrace and took in the sight of the Dumont estate in full party mode. A cold breeze caused goose bumps to rise on her skin, hardly surprising since it was almost Thanksgiving. Not to mention that Riley was wearing nothing more than a gown and a thin wrap. Still, she couldn’t help but take a moment to soak in her surroundings.

With its cascading terraces and gorgeous grounds, this was so much more than a house. It was like something out of an old black-and-white movie. With tennis courts and swimming pools, even an atrium, the Dumont mansion sat right on the bay, surrounded by strategically placed fences and bushes for privacy.

Riley made her way into the large heated tent set up on the lower grounds. Several bars occupied the corners of the space, while waiters flitted throughout the crowd of black tie–bedecked guests listening to a large band seated on a raised platform. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling and tasteful twinkly lights were strung from one corner to another. And then there were the candles. Riley had never seen so many in one place. Mrs. Dumont had gone above and beyond tonight.

All Dumont parties were special, but this one was extra special. Cameron, the oldest Dumont brother, had recently popped the question to Elle Owens, one of Riley’s two best friends. Everyone in town was thrilled to see the two of them together, but Riley in particular. She liked to think the Bayside Blogger had had a hand in their relationship. Sometimes people just needed a push.

And speaking of pushes...

Riley did a quick glance around the tent, taking in all the players. She had a keen memory, which came in handy for recalling details when she wrote her column.

She snagged a glass of champagne from a passing waiter as she continued surveying the party. A handful of people were already dancing, but mostly there was a lot of chatting over appetizers. And...she grinned. Over in the corner she saw Simone Graves getting her flirt on with Sam Roberts, who’d just taken a job at the high school. Interesting. She whipped her cell phone out and quickly made a note.

“What’s that sly smile for?”

Riley looked up to see her other best friend, Carissa Blackwell, smirking back at her. “Look at you, gorgeous,” Riley said, instead of answering the question.

“You like?”

Carissa was wearing a navy blue floor-length dress. Her blond hair was piled on top of her head and her makeup was flawless. She was tall and curvy with the most beautiful gray eyes. If they weren’t friends, Riley would hate her on principle.

“Stunning,” Riley replied. “I can see the drool on Jasper’s chin from here.” She waved at Jasper, who was all the way on the other side of the tent. He’d been beaming with adoration at his girlfriend the whole time. Carissa turned and winked at him.

It was official. Both Dumont brothers were off the market. Too bad for Bayside’s singletons, but hooray for her friends. She couldn’t be happier they’d found their soul mates.

She sighed. Well...mostly happy. Totally happy, she amended quickly. She was thrilled for Carissa and Elle. It was just that it would be kind of nice to find someone for herself.

Of course, last time she’d had a serious boyfriend it hadn’t turned out so great. Maybe she should watch what she wished for.

“Riley!”

She shook her head and tuned back into Carissa, who was standing with her hands on her hips, an expectant look on her face.

“Sorry, what?” Riley asked.

Carissa narrowed her eyes. “I said, you look great, too.”

Riley was wearing a new curve-hugging, low-backed dress in her favorite color, emerald green. She’d put her hair up in a messy yet chic ponytail, leaving wild strands loose around her face.

“Oh well, thank you. And speaking of looking good...” She wiggled her eyebrows as Elle, the bride-to-be, sidled up to them.

“You look very bridal,” Riley said, gesturing to Elle’s off-white gown. Of course, she’d helped her pick out the dress a month ago. “Practicing for the big day already?”

“Don’t mention the big day. I’m stressed.” She grabbed a champagne flute from a passing waiter.

“Oh no,” Riley said. “What can we do?”

“Are you kidding? You’ve both been bridesmaids of the year so far. Between you two, my soon-to-be mother-in-law, every bridal magazine ever written, and even my dad, I think I may be approaching too much help.”

“Too many opinions?” Carissa guessed.

Elle grimaced. “Too many very strong opinions.”

As they chatted about the upcoming spring wedding a little longer, Riley couldn’t help noticing that something was off with Carissa.

“What?” Riley asked.

“What do you mean what?” Carissa countered.

Riley wiggled her pointer finger in front of Carissa. “Something’s up. I can tell.”

Carissa turned to Elle. “I swear, she’s a psychic or something.”

“It is eerie sometimes,” Elle agreed. “But is something wrong, Car? You look a little pale.”

“No, not wrong. The opposite of wrong, actually. Just scary.”

“Can you be a little more cryptic?” Riley laughed.

“Sorry.” Carissa glanced across the tent. Riley followed her gaze and saw that Jasper was deep in conversation with his brother. “Jasper asked me to move in with him this morning.”

“Whoa, that’s huge.”

Riley wondered if the Bayside Blogger should mention this. She chewed on her lip as she considered. It was pretty major news. Carissa and Jasper had been hot and heavy back in high school. Then they’d broken up right after graduation and hadn’t seen each other for years. After Carissa’s divorce, she’d moved back to Bayside to start her catering business, Save the Day Catering, which had really taken off. She’d not only gotten back together with Jasper, but they would be opening a bookstore and café soon. And now they were taking the next step. Cohabitation.

All of this was right up the Bayside Blogger’s alley, but Riley knew that her friends—just like Sawyer—hated being written about. Still, she couldn’t leave them out of the column. She’d become tight with Elle and Car. Everyone in town knew that. If she didn’t mention them from time to time, then her identity would be obvious.

Maybe she should wait a couple days and see how this played out.

“There’s more,” Carissa said, drawing Riley and Elle’s attention. “A lot more.”

Riley immediately let her gaze drop to Carissa’s ring finger. The all-important finger was empty of a ring.

“What’s going on?” Riley asked.

“Well, um, I went to the doctor yesterday.”

Elle’s face washed of color. Her father had dealt with bladder cancer recently and Elle was particularly sensitive to talk of doctors. “You weren’t feeling well a couple days ago. I remember. You had to run out of our brunch when you got sick.”

“Right,” Carissa said.

Elle grabbed one of Carissa’s hands. Riley took the other.

“Are you okay?” Riley asked, her pulse skyrocketing.

“Well, turns out I’m...pregnant.”

A long moment of astonished silence passed between them. Riley didn’t know who started it, but then all three of them were screaming and hugging.

“Ohmigod, ohmigod, ohmigod. How did this happen?” Riley asked. “I mean, I know how it happens.”

Carissa laughed. “We’ve always been so careful. Except, well, this one time.”

Elle hugged Carissa again. “And one time is all it takes. Congratulations.”

“Thank you. I wasn’t going to tell anyone yet, but I just couldn’t keep it from you two. So mum’s the word until I say. Especially from the men.”

They agreed and hugged some more.

“Speaking of men,” Carissa began as she pinned Riley with a knowing glare.

Uh-oh. She had a feeling what was coming even though they weren’t talking about men. “Don’t start, Car,” Riley begged.

“I’m just saying. When was the last time you went on a date?”

Riley shook her head. “I’m focusing on my career right now.” Which was a total lie. Elle saw through it immediately.

“You were just saying the other day how you could do your job with your eyes closed.” Elle wagged a finger at her. “I know for a fact that Jason Wellington asked you out last week and you blew him off. What gives?”

Riley opened her mouth to answer, but the words caught in her throat as she noticed Sawyer walk into the tent. Her mouth went dry at the sight of him in his tux, which was stupid really because she’d seen him in a tuxedo before. Many times. She supposed it had to do with the fact that he usually wore jeans and... Wow, he’d shaved today instead of leaving his face all scruffy. Although, normally, his scruff was appealing too.

What was she doing? What was she thinking? This was Sawyer. She’d known him her whole life. She couldn’t get all swoony over him. Only he’d just noticed her, too. He grinned and she felt like someone had punched her in the stomach.

He started to walk toward her and once again her friends faded away. Her knees actually went weak like she was one of the characters in those Hallmark Channel movies she loved so much.

Only this wasn’t a movie. The way her heart started racing was very, very real.

* * *

Riley always looked amazing. But tonight? For an editor, a man who dealt with every aspect of a newspaper every single day, he had no words.

At first, he’d thought the green dress was a bit demure for her. Then she’d turned around—the back of it was close to nonexistent. It dipped low, almost to her shapely behind.

Again he chastised himself. He wasn’t supposed to be thinking about her behind. Or her front. He shook his head. Or any side of her. Except the friend side. They’d practically grown up as siblings. No, that wasn’t quite right.

He should stop walking toward her, yet he couldn’t. He noticed she wore dangly earrings that sparkled so brightly they practically lit up the whole tent on their own. Very Riley-esque. Because when he thought about her, he thought about a bright light.

When he reached her, she smiled, but otherwise stayed silent. He turned to Elle and Carissa, who were both wearing the oddest expressions. They exchanged mysterious looks with one another.

“Congrats again, Elle,” he offered. “I’m thrilled for you and Cam.”

“Thanks, Sawyer. Have you said hi to Cam yet?”

“Uh, no, I just got here.”

“And came right over to us,” Carissa said. Then she exchanged a second look with Elle, who bit down on her lip like she was trying to keep from laughing.

Women were enigmatic to him sometimes.

“Well, I really must find my fiancé,” Elle said.

Carissa jumped slightly. “Yes, and I need to find Jasper and check with my assistant. Save the Day catered tonight’s soiree, so I expect you all to make copious yummy noises throughout the party.”

Sawyer laughed as Elle and Carissa said their goodbyes and disappeared into the crowd. He turned to Riley.

“Hey,” he said lamely.

“Hey you,” she replied. “You look...” She trailed off and tilted her head. Then she reached forward and fiddled with his tie. “There. It was crooked.”

“Thanks.” The word lingered on his lips the same way her hand lingered on his chest. He could smell her perfume. He didn’t know what it was, but it smelled amazing, like flowers dipped in more flowers.

“Quite the dress, Ri,” he said when she finally took a step back. “You should consider yourself lucky that your dad is out of town or he would have thrown his coat over you and hauled you out of here.”

She waved him away. “Oh, please. It’s not that bad.”

To prove her point, she did a little spin. His mouth went dry at seeing all that silky skin up close. Not to mention he couldn’t help but realize she couldn’t wear a bra. Suddenly his tie felt incredibly restrictive.

He tried to make light of the situation. “If I remember correctly, you always did give your parents a run for their money with your various fashion choices.”

Again she waved her hand. “Experimenting with outfits and accessories is part of finding yourself.”

“And I imagine all those times you came home late from dates was also some sort of experimenting? Now that I think about it, you were a bit of a wild child, Riley Hudson.”

“Hardly. I think I was a fairly normal teenager. And anyway, easy for you to say. You’ve always been Mr. Dependable, son of the year.”

He didn’t have to see himself in a mirror to know his face fell. “Not always, Ri.”

Sawyer really didn’t know why he was goading her. He’d been called into the principal’s office more than he should ever admit. Wasn’t his fault he’d had a penchant for pranks.

Of course, that was all child’s play compared to his antics after he’d graduated from college. He’d been in love and like many young people in love, he’d made Rachel his whole life.

Unfortunately, it had taken him a couple years to realize that Rachel wasn’t the right fit. In fact, some might call them polar opposites.

But he’d been besotted with her so he’d moved away from home. Shunned Bayside, if he was being honest, which he hated being because then he had to admit that he’d been selfish.

He’d turned his back on his family, on his town and on the Bugle.

“How long are you going to beat yourself up for that?” Riley asked gently, kindly.

Sawyer shrugged. He’d put his parents through hell. Just another reason why the Bugle couldn’t fail now. He would make sure of it.

Riley stepped closer. “You know, everyone has at least one bad relationship under their belt.”

Something crossed her face. He wanted to jump on it and ask her what caused those shadows to appear, but she beat him to it.

“Heck, most people have multiple crappy relationships. You and Rachel lived in DC for a hot minute. And you came to your senses and moved back.”

“I don’t want to talk about Rachel.”

“That’s fine. What do you want to talk about?”

“How about you?”

She rolled her eyes.

“You look beautiful tonight.”

He didn’t know why he’d said that. It just slipped out. Her eyes widened in surprise. Had he never told her how gorgeous she was before? Riley was an insanely appealing woman who lit up any room she entered. Somehow she had the ability to be both the girl next door and the fantasy.

He didn’t know when she’d reached that status. She’d been a cute kid. Freckles and pigtails and skinned knees. She’d been kind of an annoying preteen, always following him around at family functions. Maybe the change had occurred during high school, or college, when he was away too often to take note? Who the hell knew.

Right now, he couldn’t take his eyes off her.

“Oh,” she said to his comment. She scrunched up her nose, something he often saw her do at work.

Sawyer never danced at these events. Ever. So he was more shocked than anyone when he blurted out, “Dance with me.”

Riley couldn’t contain her surprise at the statement, either. Her green eyes widened. “Are you serious? You can’t dance.”

“I can.” He reached for her hand. Her skin was so soft, so smooth. Like silk. “I just choose not to most of the time.” He led her to the dance floor.

“What makes tonight the exception?” she asked, her voice husky.

You. But he couldn’t say that. Shouldn’t say that. This was Riley, after all. Riley Hudson. Lifelong friend. Close family acquaintance. Employee. Gorgeous redhead who managed to sneak into his thoughts more than he’d like to admit.

“Tonight is a celebration,” he said instead. He could tell she had another question, so he drew her to him, pressing one hand to her back and the other wrapped around her tiny, delicate hand.

And then all questions stopped. In fact, all talking ceased. While he was sure there was music playing, he didn’t seem to hear it. Because being this close to Riley, inhaling her sweet perfume, taking in her tempting red lips, took over all his senses. It was like he didn’t have room to notice anything else.

It should have been weird. Or awkward, at least. But for the first time, he wasn’t thinking of her as his oldest friend or the kid he’d grown up with. She was an adult now and his body was taking notice.

He drew her closer. Her body felt good up against his. His hand traveled over the exposed skin of her back. He could feel her breath tickling his neck as she moved closer to him.

He had no idea how long they danced, Riley in his arms as they swayed to a song. Two songs? More than two songs?

Sawyer would have remained just like that forever but Jasper Dumont appeared at his side.

“Sorry to interrupt, guys.”

Riley jumped back, a deer-in-headlights expression on her face. She gave Sawyer a long once-over before mumbling something and quickly making her way off the dance floor.

“Riley, wait,” he called. Shoot. What had just happened? Seriously, what the hell had just freaking happened between them?

“Sorry, dude,” Jasper said, a sheepish expression on his face. “I didn’t mean to...” He gestured between Sawyer and Riley’s retreating back.

“No, don’t worry about it. We were just dancing.”

Jasper’s eyebrow quirked as the two of them made their way toward one of the bars. “Just dancing, huh? Trust me, I know all about just dancing. Well, I am sorry, but I interrupted for good reason. There’s someone here who really wants to meet you.” He turned to the man next to him. “This is—”

“Dan Melwood.”

Sawyer accepted the handshake from the tall man with dark hair, just beginning to gray at the temples.

“Dan was born in New York but he lived in Bayside during his high school years,” Jasper said. “He left years ago and is an entrepreneur who is considering adding to our local economy. Dan, this is—”

“Sawyer Wallace,” Dan once again jumped in. “Publisher of the Bayside Bugle.”

Sawyer raised a brow. “Publisher, editor in chief, reporter, head of ad sales, you name it. Life at a small-town newspaper.”

Jasper left them to talk. Sawyer and Dan grabbed drinks at the bar and moved to a quiet corner. Dan was in his fifties, only a little younger than Sawyer’s parents. As Jasper had informed him, Dan graduated from Bayside High, went off to college and business school, and then spent the next couple of decades building his businesses. He dabbled in real estate and construction. He explained to Sawyer that occasionally he invested in struggling companies, helping them improve their processes so they could turn a profit. Sounded like he’d helped out quite a few restaurants and commercial businesses in the state.

Now he was interested in Bayside. Particularly in the Bugle. He seemed to know a lot about newspapers, as if he’d done his research. Sawyer was impressed.

“I have to admit that I’m intrigued by this Bayside Blogger you have in the Style and Entertainment section.”

Sawyer fought an urge that was somewhere between pride for Riley and protectiveness over her. “The Bayside Blogger is certainly our most popular column.” He offered a small chuckle.

“And your most enigmatic.”

Dan’s smile faltered. Just slightly and only for a fraction of a second. But it was long enough for Sawyer to note.

“The blogger is definitely mysterious.”

“And not always accurate.”

Sawyer took a step back. “Actually, the one rule I’ve made with the blogger is that every article, every tidbit of gossip has to be true.”

“That’s interesting,” Dan said, rubbing a hand along his jaw. “She happened to write about me last summer.”

Sawyer racked his brain and then remembered. “Oh, yes,” he said, choking slightly on bourbon. “I vaguely recall the piece. Maybe that’s why your name is so familiar.”

“I was back here visiting for a month or so. I can assure you what she wrote was not true.”

He couldn’t remember exactly what Riley had written, but he made a mental note to go back through the archives when he left tonight. Sawyer prided himself on journalistic integrity. It was the number-one thing he required of all his reporters. “I apologize if that’s true. I will certainly speak with the blogger and we’ll print a correction if it turns out we were wrong.”

Dan’s face paled slightly. “Don’t worry about that. Anyway, I won’t leave you in suspense any longer. There’s a reason I wanted to meet you tonight and talk about the paper.”

Sawyer perked up and put his empty drink on a nearby table.

“I know it’s hard times for print publications,” Dan said.

Not what Sawyer had been expecting to hear. It was also a subject that he went out of his way to avoid. He had so much to figure out in the next couple of months. No matter what, he had to save his family’s legacy.

Dan leaned closer. “Quite frankly, I can’t believe you’ve lasted this long.”

“A lot of new businesses have been flooding the area. That’s helped,” Sawyer explained. “Our online edition is going strong and we’re utilizing our new app, and social media, of course.”

“All good things. And I’d like to discuss this more in depth because I want to make a proposal.”

Sawyer was all ears.

“I suggest that I come on board as a partner for the Bugle. I can offer you financial support, and maybe together we can figure out a way to save the newspaper.”

Sawyer wanted to jump for joy, but he spotted his father across the dance floor. His head was tilted toward his mother’s ear and, whatever he was saying, his mom was laughing hysterically.

Every single person in the Wallace family who had touched the Bugle had left an indelible mark on it. His father, in particular, had really done his best to keep the paper afloat. He’d been the one to go digital, long before most small-town newspapers looked to the internet.

Legacy firmly in mind, he refocused on Dan. “That’s quite an offer. But, as I’m sure you know, the Bugle is a family-run business. It’s been in the Wallace family since its launch issue.”

“I realize that. In fact, I heard you’re celebrating the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary this year. Quite a milestone. But, as I told you, I have made my fortune on turning around failing businesses.”

“Do you have any experience in media?”

Dan’s head bounced from side to side as he considered. “Some, but print media is a bit of a passion project for me.” He swirled the amber liquid that was in his glass. “I already have some numbers put together for you. Why don’t I revise them a bit? We can discuss investor options or even silent partnership.”

Sawyer didn’t know what to say. This was more than he could have asked for. “I’m overwhelmed,” Sawyer admitted easily.

“There’s only one thing I’d like in return.”

At that moment, he heard Riley’s laugh from the bar where she was talking to Jasper and Carissa. She threw her head back, exposing her long neck. She had the most beautiful laugh.

“What do you think?”

Embarrassed that he’d tuned out this possible Bayside Bugle savior, Sawyer struggled to refocus and get his mind off of Riley’s...everything. “I’m sorry. I didn’t quite catch that.” He indicated the speakers, hoping Dan would think he hadn’t heard over the noise.

Dan clapped a hand on his arm. “If I’m going to become involved in the Bugle, I want to be involved in every area.”

Made sense to Sawyer. Who wouldn’t want to know where their money was going?

“Meaning,” Dan continued, “that I would want to know about every nook and cranny. Every secret. In particular, I will need to know the identity of the Bayside Blogger.”

Sawyer froze just as Riley caught his gaze. She smiled at him.

Well, damn.

Chapter Three

Happy Tgiving! Hope all my gossip birdies are enjoying their family time. I know at least one person who will be eating her pumpkin pie alone. Poor little Riley Hudson has no one to watch the Macy’s parade with since her parents swapped turkey day for a tropical cruise this year!

Sawyer scrolled through the Bayside Blogger’s latest article. His finger hovered over the screen when he read the last part of the column.

He sighed. Riley didn’t usually post things like that, especially about herself. After all, it wasn’t as though she was alone. The Wallaces were hosting Thanksgiving this year and had invited her, along with half the town. Mr. and Mrs. Dumont would be there, as well as Cam, Elle, Jasper, Carissa, Elle’s dad, Carissa’s aunt and more. Riley was as much a part of his family as he was.

He reread the tweet one more time and considered shooting her a quick text of encouragement. But she’d been acting weird all week, avoiding eye contact with him and even working from home one day.

He could pretend to be oblivious, but he knew exactly why she was acting odd. That dance at Elle and Cam’s engagement party. Something had shifted in their relationship and he would be outright lying if he didn’t fess up to being shaken by it, as well.

He’d had no business dancing with her in that way. They’d been friends for far too long for one dance to feel like that.

Sawyer pulled his car up to his parents’ house, put it in Park, but made no move to get out just yet.

Despite the three-day workweek, he’d been busy. He’d met with Dan Melwood and he was no closer to giving him a decision on his proposal than he had been at the party last Saturday. He’d asked for time to consider all options.

Dan was offering full financial assistance as the main investor. If Sawyer agreed, he wouldn’t have to lay anyone off and he’d save his family’s business. It also provided him with some wiggle room so he could play around with a couple ideas of branching out. Even with financial help now, at some point, he would be right back in the same position.

If he looked at the situation from that side, he’d be a fool not to accept what Dan was offering. But there was another side.

Riley.

Or the Bayside Blogger, he amended quickly. Dan wanted to know the identity of the Bayside Blogger. He claimed that as an investor, he was owed that right.

After Sawyer researched Riley’s old columns, he’d figured out why the man was upset. Apparently, last summer, Dan had returned to Bayside for a month or so. Riley had insinuated that Dan had carried on an affair with a local woman. She hadn’t named the woman. She hadn’t even said the word “affair.” But it was clearly implied what Dan had been up to.

Sawyer also learned that Dan and his wife separated after the summer. Coincidence? Probably not.

But what Dan was proposing was wrong, both morally and ethically. Sawyer wanted to save the paper, but was he ready to stoop to this level to get it done?

Sawyer pushed a hand through his hair. The only restriction Sawyer ever put on Riley in her position as the Bugle’s gossip columnist was that she be absolutely positive about the accuracy of anything she committed to print, and she’d never failed him. Not once. If she said Dan was carrying on an affair, he was.

He couldn’t out her, though. She would be beyond humiliated. Sure, Dan was only one person. But he could easily share Riley’s alter ego with another person. And that person could tell someone else. And so on. That was exactly why neither he nor Riley ever talked about the blogger. He hadn’t even told his parents.

Speaking of his parents, maybe he should vet this whole situation with them. Since the newspaper didn’t have a board, it would be nice to have someone to talk to about this. Although, that would mean revealing the financial trouble the paper was in. His dad would launch into a lecture about how he shouldn’t be publishing every day of the week. A fact that Sawyer was proud of. He wanted to make his mark on the Bugle, too.

A rap on the car window scared the crap out of him. He turned to see his father standing next to the car with a questioning look on his face. Sawyer grabbed the bottle of wine and flowers he’d picked up for his mother and got out of the car.

“Everything okay, son?” his dad asked.

Henry Wallace had the same mischievous smile Sawyer was constantly told that he possessed. They were the same height and same build, with wide shoulders and long legs. They also shared a love of mystery books, seafood and fishing.

“I’m fine.” He embraced his dad. “Happy Thanksgiving, Dad.”

“Happy Thanksgiving. Come in.” They walked down the path that, in the warmer months, was lined with flowers. Twin pots of mums flanked the door of the colonial two-story house that sat right off the bay.

“How’s the Bugle?”

“Everything’s great.” It was a standard answer he gave his dad, but he felt guilty, nonetheless. At some point, he needed to tell his father the true picture of what was happening. But once he did that, everything would be more real.

Henry made to open the door, then suddenly covered the handle with his hand and gave his son a long once-over. “You know, you can always talk to me. About anything.”

Sawyer felt like he was back in high school being questioned about making out with his girlfriend or drinking after the big game. “I know.”

“Because I do have some experience in the newspaper biz.”

He certainly did. Sawyer had always looked up to his father. Idolized him, really. And not only because of his role at the Bugle. People in the community respected him, valued his opinion. He was a family man. Loyal to the very end.

Everything Sawyer wished he could be.

“I’ve heard that somewhere,” Sawyer said as they finally entered the house. Immediately, they were assaulted with the aromas of Thanksgiving. The smell of sage and roasting turkey wafted out to greet him, as did all of the spices of pumpkin pie, yams and his mother’s famous green bean casserole.

“But what I want to talk about is your retirement. Heard your golf game is actually regressing.”

Henry stopped walking and wagged a finger in his face. “You’ve been talking to your mother. Never listen to her.”

“I heard that,” Patty Wallace called from the kitchen.

Sawyer and his dad exchanged a look before entering the room. As soon as they did, a flurry of activity greeted them in the way of hugs, handshakes and holiday greetings. Someone thrust a mug of spiked cider into his hand and his mother was fussing over him and thanking him for the flowers.

But Sawyer was busy surveying the room. A lot of their guests had already arrived, but not everyone.

“Where’s Riley?” he asked his mom.

His mother patted his cheek. “She should be here soon. She was making that whipped Jell-O you like this morning.”

“But she’s coming, right?”

His mother cocked her head curiously. “Of course. Why would you ask that? She’s spent practically every Thanksgiving here since she was in diapers.”

“I know, it’s just...” He trailed off because he didn’t really want to get into her tweet with his mom.

“If I know Riley, she’ll be flouncing through the door at any minute in a fabulous outfit.”

“Did someone say my name?”

Sawyer twisted his head so fast he almost got whiplash. Just as his mother had suggested, there she stood in a forest-green sweater and polka-dot pants. She’d left her hair down in loose curls and it was bouncing around her as she entered the room carrying a covered dish and a bottle of wine.

Riley was greeted even more enthusiastically than he’d been. He moved to welcome her but was blocked by the entrance of Elle and Cam.

Elle, Carissa and Riley were in the midst of planning Elle’s bridal shower, so it didn’t surprise Sawyer to see the three of them joined at the hip all afternoon. They helped his mother in the kitchen, enjoyed wine in the family room while football blared from the television.

Every time Sawyer made a move to get closer to her, someone would intervene. Or a timer would go off in the kitchen and Riley would race away. Or one of her friends would want to show her something on their phone. Or she’d refill her drink.

The universe was clearly against him.

He thought dinner would help. He and Riley usually sat at the far end of the long dining room table. But this year, there had been a seating adjustment. Instead of sitting next to his oldest friend, he strained to hear her hearty laugh from way at the other end of the room. He couldn’t even enjoy his mother’s turkey, which was always amazing.

The real question was whether Riley was actually avoiding him or if all of the distractions were coincidental. He got that their dance the other night had been a little much. Hell, he was still thinking about it. All the time. But that was no reason to avoid someone you’ve known your whole life.

In any case, he resolved during dessert and more football that he would get to the bottom of her cold shoulder. Just then, opportunity presented itself when Riley went out on the deck. Alone. Sawyer jumped up, grabbed a fresh beer and joined her.

It was cold and the breeze coming off the bay didn’t help matters. His parents had started a fire in the family room and the smell of wood smoke was a comforting and autumnal aroma.

Riley had wrapped one of his mother’s throw blankets around herself. She was standing at the far end of the deck, away from the windows of the family room. Her glass of wine sat on the banister, untouched. She was lost in her thoughts, staring out at the water.

He quietly approached, suddenly unsure what to say. The moonlight played over her face and he longed to reach out and touch her.

“Hey, Ri,” he finally said.

Riley jumped a mile and then spun around. Her wine glass wobbled but luckily didn’t take the plunge over the railing.

She placed a hand over her chest. “Good grief, Sawyer. Where’d you come from?”

“That’s a very esoteric question. How deep do you want to get tonight?”

She smiled at him and he felt it all the way in his gut.

“I never get deep unless I’ve had at least three pieces of pumpkin pie. Right now, I’m only up to two.”

He joined her at the railing and put down his beer bottle. “Are you warm enough?”

She nodded. “I’m fine. I needed some air.”

The two of them had never had any problem keeping a conversation going, yet tonight it felt strained. Awkward.

“Listen, Ri,” he said.

“Hey, Sawyer,” Riley said at the same time.

They laughed. “Go ahead,” she said.

He wanted to ask about their dance. Wanted to know if it had made her feel the same way he’d felt that night. Wanted to know if her feelings about him were starting to change too. Instead, he said, “I saw your column this morning. I didn’t realize you were upset about your parents’ cruise. Why didn’t you tell me?”

She shrugged and continued to look out over the water. “You know how it is. Sometimes we don’t realize how we feel about something until we write it down.”

True. Which was exactly why he needed to stay clear of any kind of writing assignment at the moment. His emotions and feelings were too jumbled. Making sense of them might just scare him.

Riley took a sip of her wine. “I don’t know why I’m even bothered about my parents. They deserve this vacation and they’ll be back next week. I guess... I mean...it’s only that I miss them and...”

He reached for her arm and turned her to face him. “What, Riley?”

“I’m lonely.”

It was such an un-Riley-like statement and the combination of her words and the frightened expression on her face was like a punch to his gut.

“Oh, hon, why? They’re only on vacation for ten days. You just said so yourself.”

Her eyes were looking everywhere but at his. “It’s not just that. It’s stupid, really.”

“We’ve been friends for a million years. You can tell me anything.”

She finally met his gaze. “Friends. Right.” She tightened the blanket around her. “Elle is engaged and Carissa is going to be moving in with Jasper. Plus, she’s also...”

He cocked his head. “She’s what?”

Riley shook her head. “Never mind. It’s nothing. The point is that Elle and Carissa are both making huge changes.”

So that’s what this mood was about. Her two closest friends were taking big steps in their lives and relationships.

“And you wish you were in a relationship, too?” he asked. He held his breath, uncertain of what he wanted to hear her say.

“Yes. No.” She shook her head. “I don’t know. It’s not that.”

He leaned toward her. “What is it?”

“It’s confusing and...and...”

“Ri,” he said, his voice sounding husky even to his ears.

“Sawyer, I don’t know...” She gestured helplessly between them.

He reached for her hand. It was so small wrapped up in his. When he met her gaze again, he saw something he’d never seen there before. At least, not whenever she’d looked at him. But there it was, pure lust. And he knew exactly how she felt.

Without analyzing it, he did what felt natural to him. He pulled her to him and covered her lips with his.

* * *

For the second time that night, Sawyer shocked her. But this time, he wasn’t sneaking up on her. He was kissing her.

And quite well.

His lips moved over hers, softly at first. Her surprise lasted for only a second and, before she knew it, her hands were winding up around his neck, the blanket she’d wrapped herself in falling to the floor of the deck.

He pulled her even closer as his lips became more and more greedy. His hands were in her hair and then moved down her body until they reached her hips.

He smelled so good. His cologne was tickling her nose as she ripped her lips away to place a soft kiss against the column of his neck, apparently a sensitive spot. He made a sound, something like a growl, and feasted on her lips once more.

Riley felt like stars were exploding around her. She hadn’t experienced pure, unadulterated passion like this since...

Suddenly she pushed away from him. They were both struggling for breath, their chests mirroring each other in a rapid up-and-down rhythm.

“I can’t,” she said in a very unsteady voice.

“I’m sorry,” he said, his eyes wide and dark with desire.

She wasn’t sorry. Not in the least. That was part of the problem. She couldn’t kiss Sawyer. He was her friend, not to mention that he currently handed out her paycheck.

But it had felt so good, so natural.

No. She shook her head, trying desperately to clear it. At the same time, she shivered.

“Ri,” Sawyer said, bending to retrieve the blanket. “You’re going to get sick. Here.” He placed the blanket around her shoulders, adjusting it so that it covered all of her. He lingered, and his fingers brushed over her collarbone, inciting another shiver that had nothing to do with the weather.

Sawyer must have noticed and his eyes focused on her lips. Before she could protest, he was tugging the blanket toward him, which had the added effect of bringing her right to him. She raised her head. Big mistake—it put his sumptuous mouth in front of her.

How could she resist?

They stood like that for a moment. A long, heated moment. She didn’t know who moved first. Maybe it was both of them. She let out a gasp, and then once again their lips met.

Who knew Sawyer Wallace could kiss like this? If he wasn’t holding her up by the blanket, her knees would give out.

After what felt like hours, they parted. Gently he kissed the tip of her nose and then her forehead before pulling her in for a long hug.

“Riley, that was—”

“Something that absolutely cannot happen again,” she finished sadly.

He released her and pinned her with questioning eyes. “Ri,” he began. Instead of finishing, he scratched his head. “Are you seeing someone?”

“No, of course not. You’d know if I were.”

“Then what?”

“It’s not you, Sawyer. It’s me. I can’t do that with you.”

After their dance at Elle and Cam’s engagement party last week, this kiss wasn’t really a surprise. When they’d danced, it had felt like they were the only two people in Bayside. And that had scared the crap out of her.

She’d spent the week avoiding him, which frankly hadn’t been that hard. He’d met with Dan Melwood. Riley wondered what that was about. Dan had been in Bayside last summer, but as far as she knew he didn’t have any reason to be back so soon.

“Talk to me,” he said firmly.

She put space between them. Bided her time by taking a sip of her wine. She owed him some kind of explanation.

“Okay.” She nodded. “When I lived in New York, there was a guy there. A guy that I dated.”

“I always wondered,” he said more to himself.

“We worked together.”

“Ah.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Let me guess. There was a policy against dating in your office?”

“Actually, no.” She drank a much bigger sip of wine. “I wish there would have been. But I was young and stupid so I probably would have ignored it anyway.” She tightened the blanket around her. “Connor and I hit it off right away. Before I knew it, we were dating.”

Sawyer’s face was serious. “What happened with him?”

“He got promoted.” She swallowed hard. “To my supervisor.”

“Damn.”

“Exactly,” Riley agreed. “I don’t need to go into all the details.”

More like, she didn’t want to go into the details, because if she did, Sawyer would know that she was a major idiot. She’d have to tell him how wonderful she’d thought Connor was. How she’d stupidly thought they would get engaged and married one day. How she made him the center of her universe only to have that universe come crashing down around her when she learned that Connor was already engaged to another woman.

There had been signs, but she’d ignored them. Connor had made a fool out of her and out of her belief in love.

“Riley,” Sawyer urged.

She opened her eyes. She hadn’t even realized she’d closed them. “He became my boss and the situation became so complicated.”

“He didn’t fire you, did he?”

Was it her imagination or was a vein ticking in his neck? It was too dark to tell.

“No, he didn’t fire me. It was an incredibly uncomfortable couple of months. I tried to find work elsewhere, but nothing panned out.”

“So you came back home to Bayside,” Sawyer said.

“Not at first. I wanted to give it some time, see if things got better. But after four years in New York I was ready to return.”

“I see.”

“Do you?” she asked. “When I came home, I promised myself that I would never, ever put myself in a situation like that again.”

“A situation where you date your boss.”

“A situation where I could possibly humiliate myself. That’s why I can’t kiss you. Or date you. Not now, not ever. Even if I want to.”

He stepped closer. “Do you? Do you want to kiss me?”

She held up a hand. “It doesn’t matter what I want, Sawyer. The fact is, nothing can happen between us. You’re my boss.”

“I’m your friend, too, and I always will be.”

Yes, he was. Another stark reminder. Kissing him had the potential to damage both their working relationship and friendship. Not to mention the drama that would ensue if anyone found out about them. And Riley just couldn’t—wouldn’t—go through that again.

Chapter Four

Ho-ho-ho, Baysiders! Who else is excited for today’s Christmas Kickoff Festival? You know I’ll be mingling in the crowd. Hopefully, Santa won’t put me on the naughty list. But I’ll tell you someone who should be...;)

Sawyer’s plan for the town’s annual Christmas Kickoff Festival was to do a quick lap to check out the scene, stop at The Brewside for coffee and then get back to the action.

He’d attended this festival every year of his life except for two. He shook his head, willing the guilt over that lapse in judgment to fade.

Instead, he took in the center of the town square where a huge Christmas tree had been erected, decorated and awaited the ceremony tonight, when its hundreds of strands of lights would illuminate the square. A cute picket fence surrounded the tree, and an old-fashioned electric train made its way around the base. Sawyer had loved trains when he was a boy and just seeing the one today brought back all kinds of warm childhood memories.

Beyond the train were oversize presents wrapped in red, green, gold and silver paper. He was happy to see the large bins on the other side of the tree that had been set up to collect toys and coats for local charities, too. He needed to remember to bring the things he’d bought for that. Maybe they could even take up a collection at the Bugle.

More guilt washed over him. How could he ask his employees for donations to charity when he might have to lay some of them off soon?

Sawyer wished he could go one day without thinking about all of the troubles in his life. Especially at this time of year. He cared about each and every person on his staff, almost as if they were family. Until he knew they were taken care of, he’d never stop worrying.

Once again, he pushed his thoughts to the back of his mind and continued his lap of the square. Every business boasted wreaths, garlands and decorations in their windows. From experience, he knew they would all be outlined in twinkly lights, as well. Lampposts, benches and pretty much all free space in the town square had been devoted to the holiday cause.

He had to admit the festival was always fun, but this year the town council had gone all-out. A band was on a stage playing lively carols. Some of the businesses displayed tables and stands outside of their doors with special festival prices. Stands were set up throughout the square selling holiday cookies and other baked goods. Sawyer knew Carissa had provided some of them. She’d left Thanksgiving early last night to bake. They also had coffee, tea, cider and hot chocolate.

Sawyer hoped that with all the beverages outside there wouldn’t be a line in The Brewside, but as he pushed through the door, he saw he was out of luck. As the town’s favorite source of caffeine and a great gossip hotspot, the place was always busy.

Situated between a shoe store and a high-end clothing shop, the coffeehouse had the same look of the other shops around the square. They were all painted white with blue shutters. He noticed quite a few pots of poinsettias beside the entrances.

In Sawyer’s opinion, each store on the square was unique, but The Brewside was the only one that felt like home. It was cozy with its quaint decor, raised ceiling made up of exposed beams and dark wood floors. Tony had decorated it with antiques like old vinyl records, framed black-and-white photos and old-fashioned kitchen items. His favorite piece was the refurbished brass cash register that sat on the long bar.

The staff had already put up their Christmas tree in one corner. Sawyer knew that Tony encouraged the local elementary school kids to donate homemade ornaments. Stockings with the employees’ names hung behind the counter, and poinsettias dominated every free space.

He offered a wave and a nod to Tony, owner of the joint, and got in line. As he waited his turn, he tuned into a conversation between two women about the Bayside Blogger.

“I mean, she didn’t really write anything scandalous today,” one of them said.

“Well, yesterday was Thanksgiving. Maybe she’s in a food coma like the rest of us. Or maybe she went to the amazing Black Friday sales at the outlets at four in the morning like we did,” the other woman contributed.

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