Saved by the blog!

This just in, fair readers! Chic and stunning, that gorgeous new woman about town is none other than our very own little Ellie—now Elle—Owens. She’s a far cry from the frumpy, bookish student we used to know, but then, living in Italy will do that to a girl! Still, this blogger can’t forget the infamous video that caused her to leave!

Apparently Miss Elle has been spotted with yummy contractor Cam Dumont...but we thought her heart belonged to his little brother. Are Cam and Elle a new couple? They were seen cooling their passions in the bay...in April! If this is love, let’s hope she’s swimming with the right brother. The Bayside Blogger will keep you posted. :)

“Ellie? Ellie Owens?” he asked.

“I just go by Elle now, but yes. Nice to see you.”

Nice, but a total shock. Racking her brain, she remembered the last time she’d seen him—graduation. At twenty-two, Cam had not only been the older brother of the love of her life but he’d already been to college and had returned with a full beard.

The truth was that Cameron Dumont had always sort of intimidated her. Hell, he’d intimidated the whole town. He was a loner, always off in some corner. Not brooding, but watching, observing, with a self-assured confidence that no other adolescent possessed. With long hair and dark looks, he’d always seemed…dangerous, she decided. He was full of muscles and well over six feet tall.

Looking at him now, it was evident that he was still built and dangerous-looking, if not cleaned up a bit from ten years ago. Elle felt a little flutter of some kind of awareness as she took in his now beardless, square jawline, broad shoulders and arms rippling with muscles.

“Welcome home, Elle,” he said. “You look…great.”

* * *

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

Falling for the Right Brother

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.

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For My Dad

If only everyone had a dad like mine, the world would be a much better (and funnier) place.

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

Chapter Seventeen

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Good morning, avid readers! Who’s ready to be saved by the blog? Boy, do I have some juicy gossip that will help you escape the day-to-day life of our very small town.

Rumor has it one of Bayside’s most infamous residents is returning today after a ten-year absence. You may remember this gal as lover of all things Jasper Dumont. Who can forget the time she declared her love for him by, ahem, making that little video? Haven’t seen it? I’m sure someone saved a copy. *Smirk*

Personally, I’m thrilled that she’s back. So with that, let me, your fabulous Bayside Blogger, be the first to say... Welcome back to Bayside, Ellie Owens.

Elle stepped off the airport tram, thanked the driver and retrieved her luggage. Inhaling a deep whiff of air, she caught the familiar salty scent she associated with home.

As the tram drove away, she stood on the stone sidewalk in the center of town, taking a moment to reacquaint herself with Bayside, Virginia. Still pleasant to look at with its town square full of eclectic shop fronts and its flower-lined streets. Tucked behind one side of the square was the bay, the heart and soul of the town. The water looked calm today as fishing boats returned to their docks after their early-morning fishing trips.

Elle knew if she squinted her eyes just right she would be able to see the small, two-bedroom bungalow she’d shared with her father until she’d turned eighteen and went off to college, and then directly on to Italy after that. One of the many things she’d missed from home was her brightly painted yellow house with its rickety deck and even more dilapidated dock that stretched out into the water. It wasn’t unlike the other houses on that side of the bay.

She also knew that if she stood out on the dock, she would be able to take in the much larger and more impressive houses—mansions, really—on the other side of the water. That’s where the Dumont house sat, surrounded by tactfully placed trees and discreet fences.

How many nights had she sneaked out after she was supposed to be asleep to take in the lights and music coming from that magical house? It seemed the Dumonts threw parties with the same frequency that other people went to the grocery store.

Apparently there was nothing like a Dumont party. Everyone in town had heard about the expensive champagne, live music and occasional fireworks. Although that wasn’t surprising for a family who had made more money than God in real estate.

She’d heard that one time the Dumonts had hired ballroom dancers to entertain their guests. Another time they’d flown in a top chef from Japan to make fresh sushi for Mrs. Dumont. Once they’d even hired a troupe of Cirque du Soleil performers for a birthday celebration.

But out of all those special occurrences that came and went, one thing was always present. One person, actually. The person who’d taken on the role of prince of the castle in her childhood fantasies.

Jasper Dumont.

Even a shy bookworm like Elle had known of Jasper. In fact, everyone in town knew Jasper. Well liked, crazy hot, an incredible athlete in multiple sports and the most popular kid in school. No wonder Elle had harbored a huge crush on him.

When his parents had thrown their parties, she used to pretend that Jasper was dancing in a tuxedo and drinking champagne. In reality, he was probably at one of the parties in the local park drinking cheap beer with the rest of the cool kids.

She’d certainly never been invited to those parties. But Elle’s dad had always said she was an old soul. And maybe she was. Maybe she wanted to be kissed on the dance floor, like they did in the old black-and-white movies as twinkly lights illuminated the scene. Maybe she’d promised herself that one day she would go to this fictional party at the Dumonts’.

The funny thing was that Elle had attended tons of parties like that when she’d moved to Italy. She’d drunk amazing sparkling wine in centuries-old piazzas. She’d danced around local vineyards and listened to phenomenal musicians while sitting on the Spanish Steps. She’d even made out in the Blue Grotto when she visited Capri. Didn’t get much more romantic than that.

But that dream—that silly childhood dream—would always persist. Who forgot about their first love? Even if that first love was the exact reason why she’d had to leave her home.

The sound of a honking horn drew her attention. A tall, attractive man dressed in jeans and a T-shirt stepped out of a silver truck and walked toward her. Elle felt her eyes go wide as she realized who it was.

No way, she thought.

“Cam?” she called out with a small wave as she pushed her large sunglasses on top of her head.

He stopped midstride, smack-dab in the center of the street. She thought his mouth fell open but couldn’t quite see from her angle. Cocking his head, he pushed his hands into the pockets of his worn jeans and took her in. Not until a car horn blasted did he move. Shaking his head, he waved to the driver to pass and continued toward her.

“Ellie? Ellie Owens?” he asked.

“I prefer Elle now, but yes. Nice to see you.”

Nice, but a total shock. Racking her brain, she remembered the last time she’d seen him—graduation. At twenty-two, Cameron Dumont had not only been the older brother of her biggest crush, but he’d already been to college and had returned with a full beard.

The truth was that Cam had always sort of intimidated her. Hell, he’d intimidated the whole town. He was a loner, always off in some corner, watching, observing, with a self-assured confidence no other adolescent possessed. With long hair and dark looks, he’d always seemed...dangerous, she decided. He was full of muscles and well over six feet tall.

Looking at him now, it was evident that he was still tall, built and dangerous looking, if not cleaned up a bit from ten years ago. Elle felt a little flutter of some kind of awareness as she took in his square jawline, broad shoulders and arms rippling with muscles.

“Welcome home, Elle,” he said. “You look...great.”

The disbelief in his voice didn’t surprise her. After all, the last time she’d stood in Bayside, she’d been, well, less than glamorous, that was for sure. She’d never worn makeup—her father never allowed it. And when your dad was the chief of police, you tended to listen. Her wardrobe choices hadn’t been the most flattering, either—lots of jeans, flannels and sweatshirts. Total tomboy clothes. And maybe she’d carried around a little extra weight. But she’d been more into academics than athletics.

Somewhere between college and moving to Italy she’d dropped the weight, figured out how to apply makeup and let her straight brown hair grow out of the unfortunate cut she’d gotten at her dad’s barbershop at the end of high school.

“Thanks,” she said with a smile.

“Have you always had those dimples?”

“What?” she asked with a surprised laugh.

“Nothing. Sorry.”

Searching the square, she tried to find her father’s car before she realized that she had no idea what kind of vehicle he drove now.

“I just got in from the airport. I’m waiting for my dad to pick me up,” she explained to Cam.

He shook his head. “Sorry, I should have said right away. Your dad called me this morning and asked if I could bring you home. Something came up.” He looked away.

The reminder of why she’d returned from Italy came crashing back into her mind. “Is he at the doctor’s?”

Cam nodded and quickly changed the subject. “Let me help with your bags.” He grabbed all three of her bags with an exaggerated groan. “How many bodies do you have in here?”

“Just a few.” Elle picked up her carry-on and purse, then followed him to his truck. She noticed that Bayside Builders was emblazoned on the side in black block lettering. After securing her luggage in the back, Cam surprised her by opening the passenger-side door. She slid into the truck as he skirted the hood and climbed into the driver’s seat.

After starting the engine, he turned to her again. “It’s been a while, Elle.”

She could feel the heat flooding her cheeks. Was he referring to the night she wished she could forget? There was one particular bad memory she’d give anything to erase. “That was a long time ago, Cam,” she said defensively.

Frowning, he turned in his seat to face her. “What was a long time ago?”

She rolled her eyes. “You know exactly what I’m talking about.” Seeing his blank expression, she paused, then decided to get it all out in the open. “The video...about Jasper,” she whispered, even though they were alone in the truck.

If she closed her eyes, she could see her dad’s disappointed face as he watched his only daughter hiccup and slur as she drunkenly professed her love for Jasper Dumont.

How could she think making that video would get Jasper to notice her? Maybe because the alcohol hadn’t allowed her to think at all. It definitely didn’t help when her oversize T-shirt had slipped off her shoulder, giving way to a wardrobe malfunction that would have made any reality-TV star blush.

To be honest, it wasn’t as though Elle had obsessed over the video every day for the last decade. Certainly not while she’d lived in Italy, the most beautiful place in the world. Why was it, then, that as soon as she stepped onto the sidewalk of her hometown the memory of the one bad thing she’d ever done came slamming back in crystal clear vision?

To her shock, Cam started laughing, his deep voice filling the truck. “Oh, my God, I forgot all about that.”

What the hell? How could he act so blasé about the fateful event that almost got her suspended and laughed right out of town? Even now the thought of it could produce an embarrassed blush on her face the color of a ripe Italian tomato.

He must have noticed her doing her best blend-in-with-the-seat impression because his own expression softened. “Don’t tell me that stupid little video is why you’ve stayed away all these years?”

Stupid? Little? No way. It had been the single most humiliating experience of her life. And while it might not have been the reason her dad had shipped her off to college in a galaxy far, far away, it hadn’t helped matters.

In the end, her dad had, as usual, been right. She’d needed to get far away from Bayside—to forget, and to become her own person, without all the baggage weighing her down. Besides, she’d loved college, especially when she took a year to study abroad. Her love affair with Italy began then, and concluded after her graduation, when she’d moved to Florence for grad school. Staying in Italy for an art history major was a no-brainer. She’d been able to work in the most amazing museums and galleries. Every second she spent at the Uffizi, San Marco Museum, the Accademia or the Palazzo Vecchio had been among the most amazing moments in her life, and did help her forget. A little.

Still, she’d missed home.

“Happy to be back?” Cam asked as if he’d read her mind, before pulling out into the light traffic.

“I missed...certain things.”

“Your dad,” he supplied softly.

She smiled for a moment before it faded. The worry that had nestled inside her belly began to spread, causing her to roll down her window.

“How is he really?” she asked quietly.

Elle still couldn’t believe her dad had kept the cancer diagnosis from her. When he’d finally told her, he’d been so flippant about it. “Oh, it’s only bladder cancer. That’s one of the easy ones.”

There was nothing easy about cancer.

Cam followed suit and rolled his own window down. “He had some rough moments toward the end of the treatment period. But I think overall he’s doing really well. Except for a couple days off here and there, he never stopped working.”

For twenty-four years her dad had been the chief of police in Bayside. After her mom had died, they’d moved back to her father’s hometown for a fresh start. While he’d retired a couple years ago, no one could keep a man who’d been working since the age of ten at home. He’d been volunteering as security at the local high school ever since.

“Really?” she asked.

Cam nodded. “Sure. Heard he broke up a minor fight last week.”

“A fight? Is he okay? Should he even be doing that right now?”

He slanted a steady glance in her direction. “He’s fine. Don’t worry. The whole town’s looking out for him.”

Yeah, the way they’d looked out for him ten years ago? Elle shook her head and willed the memories away. It hadn’t been the town’s fault he didn’t get voted in as county sheriff. That had been her doing. Her and that damn video. She wiped her sweaty palms on her khaki linen pants.

Cam turned the truck onto Bay View Road, heading away from the center of town. They passed the fork in the road, the one that would take them to either the east side, known as the nice, wealthy portion of town, or to the west side, where she lived.

“Really,” he added with another sidelong glance as she raised an eyebrow.

“Please tell me the truth.” She could hear the urgency in her voice.

“The truth is he has cancer.”

She gulped. “I gathered that part already.” Typical. The very few conversations she’d ever had with Cam had been pretty similar. He hadn’t been known for his words. Or his demeanor. Really, he’d been a loner. A tall, somewhat scary kind of recluse.

Elle didn’t know what she was expecting now. To be honest, the fact that he was giving her a ride home was a huge step toward the socialization of the Cameron Dumont she knew.

Then he did something that surprised her. Cam reached over and squeezed her hand.

Her eyes grew wide and she inhaled sharply. If anyone ever asked, she would claim it was nothing short of shock at him being nice. The reality of the situation was that the touch of Cam’s callused hand on hers made her feel...something.

“He’s going to be fine,” he said.

She didn’t know why, but the statement made her feel better for the moment. “So,” she began, searching for something to say as she reclaimed her hand and clasped it with the other one. “You’re still in Bayside.”

“Yep.”

“Working for your parents’ company?”

His hands tightened on the steering wheel. “Nah. I started my own business.”

“Really?” That was a surprise. Cam was the oldest son in a four-generation family business. Naturally, he was supposed to take over the reins. “Also doing real estate?”

“Construction. I’m a contractor.”

“Bayside Builders,” she said, putting it together. He looked over. “I saw the name on the side of the truck.”

“That’s my company.”

She wanted to ask more questions, but they’d reached 14 Bay View Road. Cam threw the truck into Park and slid out of his door. But Elle didn’t move. Instead, she let her homesick eyes drink in the sight of the one level house she’d lived in for most of her life. It looked exactly the same, even though she could tell it wasn’t. Her dad had put a fresh coat of paint on. There were new shutters and the landscaping was different.

But it was home and therefore would always be exactly what she needed to see.

“Traditionally, you leave the car when you reach your destination.”

She glanced up at Cam standing in her window, watching her. Rolling her eyes, she offered him a small smile. “Good thing you’re here to help me with these super hard ways of the world.”

His mouth twitched before he opened her door and reached across her to unbuckle her seat belt. Elle caught a whiff of a very masculine scent. Something musky, but clean. Like a really fresh soap laced with wood.

“When did you get rid of the beard?” she couldn’t help asking.

Confusion passed his face. Then he ran a hand over some appealing-looking stubble. “Years ago. Had to back when I worked for my father.”

Now that she was allowing herself a really good look, Elle acknowledged that Cam and Jasper barely resembled each other. Jasper was all light hair and crystal-blue eyes, tall but lanky, while Cam was dark and large. Both brothers were attractive—beyond attractive, really—but in very different ways.

“Do you even have a key to get in?” Cam’s question burst her bubble and she finally exited the truck.

“No worries.” After she walked to the small front porch, she bent over and smiled as her fingers touched the key in its usual place under the decorative ceramic frog that held watch at the front door.

Cam dragged her bags into the house and stepped back onto the porch. She turned to thank him for the ride, but before she could get the words out, he put his hand on the top of the door frame. Even though she could—and should—take a step backward into the open living room, she didn’t move. His eyes raked over her entire body until she squirmed.

“I’m glad you’re back, Elle.” Then he abruptly turned and walked back to his waiting truck.

With that, she nodded, wondering why she suddenly felt light-headed.

* * *

Cam considered himself to be a rational, sane man, but something happened to him when he saw Ellie Owens again. And that reaction defied reasoning.

“Damn,” he said aloud as he drove away from her house and made his way back down Bay View Road. When he reached the fork, he started veering toward town before he remembered that he’d left his favorite cordless drill at his parents’ house the night before.

Yanking the steering wheel to the left just in time, he made his way toward the east side of the bay. He’d been called by his mother to fix a shelf. Funny how when he’d arrived, tools in tow, there was nothing to fix. Instead—surprise, surprise—an attractive woman had been seated in one of the living rooms. His mother’s interior designer this time.

Cam loved his mom, but her attempts at fixing him up had been increasing at a fast pace over the last two years—ever since he’d turned thirty. Even if he’d been onboard with her efforts, she clearly didn’t know his tastes. Cam preferred a certain kind of woman. When his thoughts turned back to Elle, he swerved again before righting the truck.

Little Ellie Owens, who used to keep her head in a book, or in a sketch pad, while wearing jeans with patches over the knees. She’d never stepped a toe out of line until that idiotic video surfaced. Cam remembered how embarrassed Jasper had been seeing her announce her undying love for him. In Cam’s opinion, it never seemed like much of a burden to have a woman show you some love. Especially a woman as grounded as Elle. Of course, Jasper had been in a pretty serious relationship back then.

Regardless, somewhere along the line, she’d grown up into a gorgeous, stunning woman. Gone was the plain-Jane scholar. In her place was an accomplished, interesting person.

Cam turned into the gates of the mansion at 1954 Bay View Road and offered a wave to Stan, the head gardener. Then he parked his truck, and ran in the back door to retrieve his drill. He was about to climb back into the truck when he noticed that not only were his parents’ cars in the driveway, but so was his brother’s. Cam climbed the steps to the front porch and pushed his way inside the large and impressive house he’d been lucky enough to grow up in.

He heard the shouting before he even entered the solarium.

“It’s not that big of a deal.”

“You think you can come in here and start making changes like you own the place?” his father asked.

“I kind of do own the place.”

“Not yet,” his mother’s voice rang out. “Not while your father and I are still in charge.”

Cam didn’t have to be in the room to know that Jasper would be rolling his eyes the same way he was doing himself at the usual argument. His parents and brother butted heads on a daily basis.

“If you’d only let me implement a few small changes. Tweaks,” he added quickly. “We need a better social media plan. Our communications department is currently living in the stone age figuring out how to make fire.”

“It’s like you don’t even want to be part of this company, the way you keep trying to change everything.” Cam could hear the frustration in his father’s voice.

His own stomach clenched at the comment.

“Of course I want to be part of the company. Why else would I be here?” Jasper replied. “I’m simply trying to bring us into this century.”

Feeling a thickness in his throat, Cam decided to save his baby brother. Giving a quick cough to announce his presence, he stepped into the room.

“There’s my handsome son.” Lilah Dumont rose and patted him on the cheek before pulling him into a hug.

“Hey,” Jasper called out. “I thought I was your handsome son.”

She turned back to him. “Oh, you are. But only when you aren’t irritating me with new proposals involving hashtags.”

Cam hoped that Jasper saw the look of adoring, unaffected love their mother shot in his direction. But by the way Jasper had turned toward the window, he suspected not.

“Hey, Pops,” Cam said to his dad.

“Why aren’t you at work?” his dad asked as a reply and a welcome.

“Why aren’t any of you?” he countered.

“We are working.” His mother poured a glass of lemonade and handed it to him. “We’re discussing your brother’s latest idea.” She used air quotes and Cam was fairly certain he could hear Jasper grind his teeth. “Then we were going to talk about the next fund-raiser.”

Cam lifted an eyebrow. “Fund-raiser?”

“Yes.”

“Ah. A party,” he stated. His mother could justify giving a party more easily than some people could drink a glass of water. Although Lilah Dumont was so much more than a party-loving socialite. She could make just as many deals as his father simply by schmoozing during a black-tie event. Where Collin Dumont was old-school business etiquette, Lilah was about face-to-face interaction. Underestimating either her intelligence or business savvy had been the web that caught more than one misjudging fly.

“Social media is an inexpensive way to throw a party,” Jasper contributed from the corner. “A virtual party. Keeps costs in check, connects you with the right people.”

“Why not be personal? Why does everything have to be over the computer or smartphone or Instagram?” his mother asked. “People like personal interactions. That still means something.”

Cam thought he would try and back his brother up. “Jasper does have a point. Perhaps we need to cut down on the amount of parties?”

His mother looked indignant. “Everyone loves our parties. You know that.”

“Isn’t less more in this situation?”

Lilah rolled her eyes. “Less is never more. I despise that saying.”

On this one topic, his mother and father were in agreement. Cam had to suppress a groan. If another Dumont party was on the horizon, that meant he would have to take out his tux—again—and put on a happy face—again. Two things he hated almost as much as his mother’s parties.

Jasper appeared to have forgotten his earlier hurt and turned to Cam. “Why aren’t you working your butt off somewhere? Aren’t you usually covered in dirt and sweat by this hour?”

“I had a meeting with a client earlier this morning.” He grabbed an apple from a large display of fruit placed in the middle of a marble table. “You’ll never guess who I picked up after that.”

“It’s bad enough that you drive that thing instead of a real car,” Jasper began.

“Hey, I like my truck. I’d like you to know that Lamborghinis are not the only car available. Anyway, I did a favor for Ted Owens this morning.”

“His doctor’s appointment,” his dad said from his chair. “I need to give him a call later and see how that went.”

There were a lot of things that could be said about Collin Dumont, but one area Cam thought his dad did right. He respected his staff, his friends and the other citizens of Bayside. He’d been friends with Ted for years, and Cam heard the note of concern in his voice.

“Right. He had an appointment, so I had to pick up his daughter.”

“Ellie?” his mother asked. “She’s back from Italy?”

“Who’s Ellie?” Jasper wondered.

Sometimes Cam didn’t know if he should be appalled by or jealous of his brother’s ignorance.

“You’ve gotta be kidding me, right?” Cam said. “Ellie Owens, the daughter of Ted, former chief of police.” At Jasper’s blank stare, he continued. “You were in the same class in school.”

“Did we date?”

Their mother let out a loud chuckle. “Oh, most certainly not.”

“She was in love with you,” Cam said loudly and slowly, to get through to Jasper.

“Didn’t she make some video about you that got played at your prom?” their father asked from behind the iPad he was now reading.

Cam tensed. He’d never understood why Elle had made that video in the first place. The whole thing was out of character. Feeling oddly protective, Cam decided to steer the conversation away from the video talk. “She’s back. I’m not sure for how long, but she’s here now for her dad. She looks amazing, by the way. All grown up.”

“No kidding?” Jasper’s tune changed quicker than he could get his Lamborghini from zero to sixty.

“Apparently Europe agreed with her.”

“Good for her,” Mrs. Dumont put in as she poured more lemonade into her glass. “I always thought she was sweet. And everyone knew how smart she was. Top of her and Jasper’s class. Or she would have been...”

“Didn’t she throw herself in the bay after that prom?” Collin asked.

Another aspect of that story that had never made sense to Cam. Supposedly, she’d been so upset after the video aired that she’d pitched herself off the dock into the bay. Some called it a last-ditch effort to get Jasper’s attention.

“Oh, yeah,” Jasper replied.

The thing about attempting to drown yourself was that people who did so usually couldn’t swim, Cam thought. Elle had been a great swimmer. He shook his head. A mystery for another time.

“Invite her to the party on Friday,” Collin contributed, still reading his iPad, no doubt having pulled up the Wall Street Journal.

“Great idea,” Lilah added.

“Um, I don’t know if that’s...”

“I’m willing to extend the olive branch to a hot girl,” Jasper said.

Cam ignored his brother’s wink. “Did you say Friday? The party is happening this Friday? It’s Wednesday.”

“Invitations went out two days ago. What is life without a little surprise and excitement?” His mother’s eyes sparkled.

“I didn’t get an invitation,” Cam said.

“That’s because I didn’t want to give you a chance to RSVP no.” Lilah beamed at him.

Cam clenched his teeth. He’d had plans to quit work early on Friday and take a couple of his employees golfing. “What’s the reason for this party?” he asked.

They all looked at each other for a split second before his mother said “April,” with a definite nod.

At the same moment his father said, “Flag Day.”

Cam rolled his eyes, not sure where to start.

“Oh, who cares why,” his mother called out. “It’s a party, not a funeral, so get that stick out of your a—”

“Ah, that’s enough,” Collin said, as Cam tucked his tongue in the side of this mouth.

“But you are expected to be there,” Lilah said, using her I-raised-two-boys-so-don’t-even-think-about-messing-with-me tone.

“Seriously, Mom.” Cam put his glass down on the table a little harder than he’d meant to and returned the uneaten apple, as well. The sound of heavy crystal hitting marble echoed throughout the room. For a moment, no one spoke. Then Collin looked up from his iPad.

“Just because you didn’t want to work for the family doesn’t mean you’re not part of it.”

Cam hated the hurt that flashed in his father’s eyes. He knew he’d put it there by one selfish decision. He began to speak to his dad, but Jasper stopped him.

“Don’t be so hard on him. I stepped up. I work for the family.”

Cam knew Jasper wasn’t saying that out of spite. He was only trying to help.

“And what an employee you turned out to be. Always wanting to change every damn little thing.”

That same painful look flashed in Jasper’s eyes now and Cam wanted to kick himself. He hadn’t planned to come in here today to upset everyone. Nor had he intended to cause so much ill will when he stopped working for his parents and started his own company.

But it didn’t take a soured afternoon to see the results of his decision. He carried around the guilt on a daily basis.

Cam used to go to every construction site of every building, shopping mall, apartment complex or whatever else his dad had been working on. Collin had proudly introduced him as the future head of Dumont Industries to anyone who would listen. That included Rick, the foreman on one of his job sites.

Rick had been the first person to really talk to Cam about construction. He’d patiently answered question after question. Walking around wearing a hard hat, looking at foundations and I beams made Cam feel excited. Not once had he ever felt that way in the office with his dad.

One summer Cam had announced that he would be working with Rick on the construction of a new multiplex. His dad still hadn’t realized that Cam liked working with his hands, enjoyed building things. Instead, Collin had bragged that his son wanted to learn the business from the ground up, and wasn’t that just great.

But even as a sixteen-year-old, Cam knew he’d found his calling. His dad never forgave him for it.

Cam pulled himself back to the present when his father let out an awkward and forced cough.

“I need to take this.” He waved his phone and made a quick exit from the room, hurt trailing in his wake.

Cam didn’t look at his mother when she rose from her seat, nor did he say goodbye as he left the solarium and headed back through the sprawling house toward the front door. He turned only when he heard his brother’s voice.

“Cam, wait.” Jasper bounded toward him, his expression concerned.

“Don’t worry about it,” Cam said. “And don’t listen to the old man. You’re doing a great job.”

Jasper’s face fell. “Yeah, I can’t get my own father to listen to my ideas, let alone the rest of the board. Quick, someone get me on the cover of Forbes.”

Cam didn’t know what to say and he couldn’t stand seeing the frustration in his brother’s eyes. “Listen, I’ll stop by your place later and fix that balcony door.”

Jasper shook his head.

“What?” Cam asked. “It’s been hanging off the hinges for weeks. And while I’m there I can measure for those shelves you were talking about.”

“Stop,” Jasper said. “You don’t owe me anything, Cam.”

But he did. Cam was in debt to his little brother and fixing a few things around his condo didn’t even come close to making up for it.

“I’ll be by around seven,” he said, his voice offering no room for argument. With his hand on the brass doorknob of the opulent front door, he asked his baby brother, “Are you happy?”

“What?”

“Answer the damn question, Jasp.”

Jasper let out a long exhalation. “I’m fine. Stop worrying about me. Things are going fine.”

But he did worry about him. More than his brother realized. Because Jasper had stepped up for him and Cam would spend the rest of his life making it right.

“Hey, bro. Answer me this.” Cam waited for Jasper to meet his eyes. “Do you really not remember Elle Owens?”

Jasper shrugged. “Kind of. But if you say she’s gorgeous now...”

Unbelievable. Because to Cam’s way of thinking, the woman he’d picked up this morning was pretty damn unforgettable.

“I never said gorgeous.” But he very easily could have. Suddenly, Cam felt incredibly uncomfortable.

His brother grinned as Cam flipped him off and left the house, thoughts of just how gorgeous Elle had become following him out the door.

Chapter Two

“Cancer-free as of today.”

The breath she let out was full of relief. Elle had been holding her jaw so tight that her face actually ached.

“Seriously?” she asked tentatively. She knew better than anyone that her dad had a habit of downplaying. The fact that he hadn’t shared his diagnosis—even during their recent Christmas visit—until a couple weeks ago still had her seeing red.

“Cross my heart.” Her dad kissed her on the head before engulfing her in a long, hard hug. Nothing could have felt better. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there to pick you up this morning.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that.” She waved a hand in the air as she took in her father. He looked mostly the same, a little thinner maybe, and a bit pale. But that was to be expected. “Tell me everything the doctor said, and start from the beginning.”

Even though he rolled his eyes, Elle held firm. She would get the truth of the situation even if that meant calling the doctor herself.

“Our food is going to get cold,” he said, gesturing to the spread on the table.

“It won’t if you hurry up and tell me.”

“You’ve always been the most stubborn little thing,” he said with a laugh.

She returned with a chuckle of her own. “Wonder where I get that trait from.”

“Fine, fine. The treatment seemed to work. When I went back in today, doc said the scope we did last week didn’t detect any cancerous cells.”

He was beaming and Elle wanted to share in his joy, but she’d done a fair amount of research on bladder cancer. They would need to stay on top of this to ensure it didn’t return. Her dad would have to get scopes often and probably for the rest of his life.

A small concession for keeping him in her life. With her mother already passed, Elle would do anything to protect her only remaining parent. Even though she barely remembered her mom, she wanted to think that her returning from Italy would have made her proud.

But for the moment, she’d try and enjoy the victory with him. She reached for a pair of wineglasses when an invitation on the counter caught her eye.

Her father followed her gaze. “Mrs. Dumont is having another party on Friday and the theme is Printemps.” He rolled his eyes as he took the wineglasses from her hands.

“Springtime,” Elle murmured. “Well, that’s a fitting theme.” She leaned back against the counter. “Are you going to attend?”

He let out a loud chuckle. “That’ll be the day. Don’t know why they even invite me to those damn dreaded things.”

Elle smiled and they sat down at the table and toasted with a bottle of wine she’d brought back from Italy.

“To your health,” she announced, her glass held in the air.

“To my baby girl being home.”

“Cin cin.” With that, they clinked glasses.

To celebrate her return, they were enjoying a huge bowl of spaghetti and meatballs. Her father had insisted on cooking “his specialty.” Elle had to laugh. She couldn’t even begin to count the number of times they’d feasted on this exact meal when she’d been growing up.

Not to mention that she’d lived in Italy for the last six years, plus one year of study abroad in college. She’d been spoiled by the outstanding culinary pleasures of Italy. But watching her father slurp up his spaghetti, with sauce dotting his chin, seeing the pride when he announced that he’d heated up the frozen meatballs and garlic bread, made this the best pasta she’d ever tasted.

As they ate, Elle filled her dad in on her flight and he told her some of the local Bayside gossip. A nice breeze came off the bay and filled the house with the awakening scents of early spring.

“I have a friend in Florence who would go nuts over this,” Elle said, referring to the chocolate éclair her father had bought at the local bakery.

“Speaking of people you know in Italy...”

Oh, jeez. Her dad was anything but subtle.

“What about that nice fellow I met at Christmas when I was visiting?” he asked.

“Marco,” she said.

“Yeah, him. He seemed nice.”

Marco was great. Sexy and sweet. They’d dated for the last year. “I didn’t know how long I would be here and neither of us wanted a long-distance relationship.”

“You don’t have to have one. Why did you come back to Bayside, Ellie?”

His question stung. Did he not want his only child here with him? For you. Because I was worried about you, of course. “I guess I just needed a change of scenery.”

“You guess, huh? Well, I just hope somebody wasn’t worried that their aging dad needed a chaperone...”

Biting back a smile, she shook her head. “Never.”

“Ellie...”

“Elle, Dad. I go by Elle now.”

“Right, sorry.” He patted her cheek. “You know you’ll always be my little Ellie.” The uncharacteristic sentimentality came and went before she could blink. Quickly, her dad returned to his usual pragmatic ex-cop self. “I’m worried. What are you going to do here? There aren’t any galleries or museums in the area.”

She chewed on her lip before rising to close the window. The truth was she had no idea what she would do for work. She’d contacted every museum within an hour’s drive of Bayside—not many—and come up empty-handed. Italy might have the most fantastic jobs for her, but Bayside had her family. A family that she had been desperately worried about.

Financially, she would be okay for a couple months, especially with her father refusing her offer of paying rent. Still, she’d need to find some kind of job.

Returning to her seat, she looked at her father. “I’m working on it. Don’t worry.”

He pinned her with one of his cop stares. “‘Don’t worry.’ When you have a kid someday you’ll realize how stupid that little statement is.”

Elle followed her dad when he rose from the table, taking their plates into the kitchen. “Daddy...”

Dropping a plate, he spun back to face her. “I will always worry about you.”

Sighing, she did the only thing she could think of. She wrapped her arms around her dad until he relented and returned the embrace. “I know you will, and that’s why I love you.”

Finally, he let out a deep sigh. “I guess that will have to be enough for now.”

They finished clearing and cleaning the dishes. Then her dad did something she’d greatly missed while she’d been away. He turned on the radio to an oldies station, the music wafted throughout the house. Happily, she sat down with him in the living room as he perused the daily paper and she pretended to do the crossword puzzle.

“So, Cam Dumont picked me up today.” She surprised herself with the comment, unsure what made Cam spring into her mind. But now that she was thinking about him, there wasn’t any harm in remembering the way his worn jeans had fit him so perfectly. Or how the masculine, dark stubble on his face had produced butterflies in her stomach. How would it feel against her cheeks?

“Cam’s a good guy.”

“Yeah, he seemed...great.” She eyed her dad who wasn’t taking her bait for more info.

“What are your plans for tomorrow?”

Elle sat back considering. She had no idea. With no job and no friends, she didn’t have many options.

As if reading her mind, her dad said, “Why don’t you go check out The Brewside? It’s a coffee shop that opened about two years ago,” he explained. “It’s right in the town square.”

“I could do that. Maybe I could bring my sketch pad, too.”

Before she’d moved over to the administrative side of the art world, she’d dreamed of becoming an artist in her own right. Then she’d become so immersed in her career, not to mention all the other amazing opportunities afforded her living in Italy, that her favorite hobby had been pushed to the back burner.

Energized by the idea of taking time for her own art, she grinned.

“You look more and more beautiful every time I see you.” The compliment, not to mention the change in conversation, took her by surprise, but the soft tone of her dad’s voice almost undid her.

“Oh, Daddy. You saw me three months ago. I haven’t changed since then.”

He picked up a silver-framed picture from the end table. Without seeing it, Elle knew it was a shot of her at fifteen, after she’d climbed a tree. She was wearing cutoff jeans and an unfortunate maroon sweatshirt, her hair in pigtails displaying her makeup-free face, which had been going through an adolescent breakout phase. She’d been so clueless.

Her dad turned the photo around. “You’ve changed a lot since this. The time goes so fast,” he said, more to himself than to her.

“I think it’s time for you to go to bed. A weepy daddy is a tired daddy.”

“You might be right about that. It’s been a long day, but a good one. Welcome home, princess.” He kissed her forehead and made his way toward his bedroom.

Feeling antsy, Elle put down the crossword puzzle, grabbed an afghan from the couch and made her way out onto the deck. The water was calm tonight, and as usual for this time of year, the temperature was dropping rapidly. She wrapped the blanket around herself as the sounds of the water lapping soothed her.

Looking up, she gazed at the sky, full of glittery stars. It was strange to think that last night she’d seen the same stars from across the ocean. Now she was back in her hometown, not quite sure how that fact made her feel.

For the second time that night, Cam entered her mind. She wasn’t sure how she felt about that either.

Why in the world was she thinking about a man she hadn’t seen in a decade and spent a whopping thirty minutes with? It didn’t make sense. And yet, she couldn’t seem to stop.

She shook her head. Most likely, she was overly tired from a long day of travel and an emotional reunion with her father. That had to be the only reason she couldn’t stop thinking about Cam’s enticing smile, his mysterious eyes, his amazing body.

Obviously, being with her dad was her number one priority. Just eating dinner with him and seeing with her own two eyes that he was okay made her feel better. But her dad and this tiny house were only a small part of Bayside. Tomorrow she had to face the rest of the town.

Elle knew she’d come a long way since that picture her father had looked at earlier. Undoubtedly, she’d changed. Now she just had to figure out to how convince everyone else.

* * *

After seeing her dad off to work the next morning, Elle set off to check out The Brewside, sketch pad in tow.

As she walked along the path next to the bay, the cool morning air hit her face. It felt great after a restless night’s sleep. She’d finally fallen to sleep in the wee hours only to wake up around four thirty. Stupid jet lag.

And perhaps Cam Dumont kept her tossing and turning, too.

But she was not going to dwell on that little detail. Even if she was wondering where he lived. And where he’d set up his business. And what he did for fun.

She stopped in her tracks. “Stop thinking about Cameron Dumont,” she whispered. With a nod, she continued on her way.

She found The Brewside Café easily enough. Nestled between a shoe store that had been in the square forever and a newer, expensive-looking clothing shop, it was painted the same crisp white, accented with blue shutters, as the other establishments. Pots of flowers flanked the entrance. She pushed open the door to the sound of bells chiming and was hit with the welcoming aroma of rich coffee beans.

Inhaling, Elle stood there for a moment, soaking in the caffeine goodness. Once she had her fill, she stepped inside and took in the quaint decor. The raised ceiling was supported by exposed beams, and the dark wood floors gave the place a rustic feel. The tables were made up of wooden barrels with either glass plates or old doors on top. Copper pots and old kitchen utensils adorned the walls, as did a variety of vinyl records and framed black-and-white photographs. A display case with pastries dominated one wall and a large bar with coffee machines and an antique brass cash register stretched along the back.

After studying the menu, Elle stepped forward and ordered an espresso and a wheat bagel. As one of the workers began filling her order, a tall man with a beard and friendly blue eyes stopped wiping the counter and studied her.

“Hi, I’m Tony. I own this place,” he finally said.

Elle shook his hand. “Oh, nice to meet you. I’m—”

“Ellie Owens. I know.”

“How do you know?” She couldn’t place him and was pretty sure they hadn’t gone to high school together.

“Offering a legal, addictive stimulant every morning makes me the best friend of pretty much everyone in town. I have a knack for remembering faces and I’ve never seen yours before.” He picked up a copy of the local paper and handed it to her. “Plus, you’ve been outed.”

“Excuse me?”

“By the Bayside Blogger. You made both the online and print versions of the paper.”

She stared at the front page of the newspaper. “Who’s the Bayside Blogger?”

“Only the most popular columnist in the whole Bayside Bugle.” A woman wearing a flurry of bright colors planted herself by Elle’s side. “Riley Hudson,” she announced. “We graduated in the same class.”

Right. Riley Hudson of the Hudson family that had lived in Bayside for so many generations many people thought they’d probably discovered it. If Elle remembered correctly, Riley had been the most outgoing person in their class, popular, pretty and always dressed like she’d just stepped out of a fashion magazine. Basically, she’d been Elle’s polar opposite in high school. Given how she looked now, her fashion sense hadn’t changed. She was wearing a chartreuse A-line dress, a cute little fuchsia scarf and matching sunglasses perched atop a head of thick, wavy red hair.

“Hi, Riley. Nice to see you again.”

“You, too. Welcome back.”

While Riley said hello to Tony and put in an order for a nonfat latte, Elle quickly scanned the paper. The headline Lovesick Ellie Owens Returns to Bayside, splashed across the front page of section C, almost made her choke on her drink. The article following went on to sum up her brief, yet crazy history with Jasper, with an even quicker mention of her time in Italy.

Did people really read this? Did her dad? Biting her lip, Elle pushed down an uneasy feeling. She’d embarrassed her father beyond belief back in high school, and the last thing she wanted to do was repeat the past.

Elle turned her attention back to Riley as the other woman said, “If you want to know anything about the Bayside Blogger, just ask me. I read her column religiously. It’s like the New York Post’s Page Six, only here in Bayside. Want to sit together?”

Elle found her energy infectious. She nodded and followed Riley to a table. “So it’s like a gossip column?”

“It’s annoying.” This came from the guy behind the counter who had filled Elle’s order. “Damn Blogger got me in trouble with my girlfriend when she reported that I had been out with my buddies at the Beer Bash.”

“You were at the Beer Bash, Brody. I saw you,” Riley stated.

“But maybe I told Elizabeth that I would be watching a game over at Alan’s that night.”

Riley rolled her big emerald green eyes. “That’s your fault then. The Blogger was simply reporting the truth.”

He moved away, mumbling something under his breath that sounded a lot like “damn busybody.” Riley smiled and turned her attention back to Elle. “Are you excited to be back?”

“I guess.” She couldn’t hold in a long yawn. “Sorry. I’m jet-lagged.”

“Living in Europe for six years. That’s so glamorous. What did you do there?” Riley added a couple packets of sweetener to her latte and then sat back with a moony look on her face. “I imagine you lounging at cafés for hours with hot Italian men hanging on to your every word. I see plates of sinful pasta and caprese salads and you drinking amazing wine while tourists rush into the Duomo behind you.”

Elle laughed at the imagery. “The wine part’s true enough.” She leaned across the table and lowered her voice. “But you forgot about the shoes. Oh, the amazing designer shoes.”

An appreciative sigh escaped Riley’s lips. “You’re killing me. Hashtag, jealous.”

After sampling her bagel, Elle took another sip of coffee. “I wish I could tell you it was all play and no work, but truthfully, I did have to make a living. Even in a country as laid-back as Italy, they tend to expect payment for things like housing and food.”

“Sticklers.” Riley shook her head. “What did you do?”

“My last job was at an up-and-coming gallery right around the corner from the Duomo. But I’ve worked in a ton of museums there.”

Riley looked down. Noticing Elle’s sketch pad, she pointed at it. “Are you an artist, Ellie Owens?”

There was a certain awe in the question that filled her with pride. “It’s a hobby, and actually, I go by Elle now.”

“No more Ellie?” Riley cocked her head.

“Let’s just say I retired her a long time ago. So, what do you do now?”

Riley ran a hand along her plaid computer bag. “I’m a writer.”

Elle smiled. “That would explain the colorful descriptions. What do you write?”

“I’d like to write the next great American novel. Or at least a really juicy romance novel devoured by women at every beach in the country. But for the moment I’m a reporter with the Bayside Bugle. I write for the Style & Entertainment section.”

Something from earlier niggled at her brain. “Wait a minute.” Elle put her bagel down. “If you write for the Bugle, you must know who this Bayside Blogger is.”

“I wish. I have friends that have offered me big money to reveal her identity. Sadly, the only person who knows is our editor in chief, Sawyer. He’s also received offers of money, concert tickets, home-cooked meals, you name it. But he won’t budge.”

“Sawyer Wallace? Wasn’t he a couple years older than us in school?”

“Two,” Riley confirmed.

“Didn’t he drill a hole between the boys’ and girls’ locker rooms once so he could get an eyeful?”

Tony chuckled from behind the bar.

“Annoying then and annoying now. He hasn’t changed.”

But Riley’s face did. Elle couldn’t help but notice her cheeks redden. Interesting. As interesting as the fact that she’d just spoken more to Riley Hudson in the last ten minutes than all of high school. Not that Riley had ever been mean to her. But they’d run in very different circles.

The bells above the door jingled and in walked none other than Cam Dumont. Elle looked up as Riley waved a hot-pink nail-polished hand and called, “Hey, good-looking.”

“If it isn’t the girl trying to turn Bayside into her own version of sophisticated Manhattan,” he replied.

“One small step at a time. Speaking of elegance and style, I got the invite to your mother’s Printemps soiree. You know I’ll be there.”

“You and the rest of the planet.” Cam rolled his eyes and turned toward Elle. “Morning, Elle.”

“Hi, Cam. Nice to see you again.”

He moved to the counter and placed an order for an extra-large coffee to go. While he talked with Tony, Elle couldn’t help but notice once again the way Cam’s worn jeans clung to certain places in a really awesome way. In fact, now that she was observing, she had to admit that with his tall, muscular body, slight stubble on his chiseled face and too-long dark hair, Cam Dumont was a nice healthy dose of man candy. No wonder she kept thinking about him last night. And this morning.

She could only imagine that when he got to work and slung a tool belt around his waist he would become even more appealing. And maybe if it was a hot day and he needed to take off his shirt...

“So, Elle, have you seen Jasper yet?”

Elle sloshed the remainder of her espresso onto the newspaper. She accepted the napkins Riley offered, even as she became aware that Cam, Tony, Brody and the table of older men sitting on the other side of the room all turned in her direction at the question. She felt she should have some grand, detailed story to tell Riley in answer, when really the truth was simple. “Nope,” she said softly.

“Well, you’ll definitely see him at the Printemps party tomorrow night.”

“Actually, I’m not going to the party,” Elle said.

Riley appeared taken aback, as if Elle had just reached across the table and slapped her. “Excuse me? Hold the presses. Why in the world are you not coming tomorrow?” Her hands gestured wildly and her mouth went into a pout.

Elle laughed. “For one thing, I wasn’t invited.”

“But your dad probably was. Oh, by the way, I’m so sorry to hear about his cancer. How’s he doing? You have to come tomorrow,” she continued, without taking a breath. “I’ll introduce you to the new faces of Bayside. Not that there’s many.”

Blame it on the jet lag, but Elle didn’t know if she could keep up with Riley.

“Oh, my God, there’s this guy I should totally set you up with. I mean, unless you’re still stuck on Jasper.”

Cam cleared his throat, calling both women’s attention to him. “Uh, yeah. I’m supposed to invite you to the party tomorrow.” He didn’t meet her eyes. Instead, he looked into his cup of coffee as if it held all the answers of the universe.

Jeez, Elle thought. Could he be less excited? He made it sound like he was inviting her to a mass murder.

“Aww, Cam, are you inviting Elle? That’s sweet.”

“I’m not. My mom wanted me to.”

Even better. And why did it bother her that he wasn’t the one inviting her to the party? “I probably shouldn’t go,” she began.

Eyes shining, Cam let out a huge breath. Then he took a long swig of coffee. “Yeah, probably better.”

Hold on, did Cam not want her to go? Why the hell not? Because of the video?

Buoyed by a sudden stubbornness, she said, “You know, on second thought, maybe I should stop by. I mean, since your mom extended the invitation to me and all.”

Riley clapped her hands together in quick succession. “Yeah.”

Cam’s face fell. “Are you sure? It’s, ah, a formal, black-tie kind of party.”

“Not a problem. I recently bought a gown when I was visiting Milan. It’ll be just perfect for the occasion.”

Did he think she couldn’t afford a gown or something? That she’d never been to a formal party? She may not have a bank account like his but, hell, who did? Besides, Elle couldn’t figure out why he wouldn’t want her there. But she’d show him. Not only would she go to that party, but she’d look better than she ever had in her entire life.

“A gown from Milan? Oh, my God, you are like the coolest person I know. I must raid your closet immediately.”

Elle smiled at Riley even as she watched Cam seething.

“My mother’s parties are overrated. Trust me,” he said through clenched teeth.

Enough was enough. She was tired, a little overwhelmed and greatly annoyed. She stood and turned to Cam. Trying to get up in his face proved difficult, considering her five feet six inches didn’t come close to his height. Still, she tilted her chin up and pegged him with her most intimidating stare.

“Maybe I should come to that conclusion myself.”

Riley stayed silent as she watched the two of them from the table with an interested look on her face.

“It’s not going to go the way you want,” Cam said quietly, so only she could hear.

“What way is that, exactly?”

He looked as if he wanted to say something. His mouth even opened slightly, but no words came out. Elle could practically see the wheels churning in his brain.

“Jasper,” he whispered, his eyes glued to hers.

Just as she’d suspected. Even Cam thought she would still make a fool out of herself over his brother.

It hadn’t even been a full twenty-four hours since she’d returned and she already felt like a total outcast. Stupidly, she’d thought a full decade away would have given everyone ample time to forget about that one little moment when she’d lost her mind.

Her cheeks felt warm as she tried to hold the embarrassment at bay. She wanted to yell at Cam, tell him she wasn’t some girl obsessed with her high school crush. Truthfully, she didn’t know how she’d feel seeing Jasper again. Her stomach tightened at the thought of it. But she was back in Bayside, so she knew it would happen eventually. What did Cam think? She would see his brother and throw herself at his feet?

How many other people would assume the same?

Beyond frustrated with Cam and his presumptions, she gathered her things and nodded to Riley. Then she narrowed her eyes at Cam. “I wouldn’t miss this party for anything in the world, Cameron Dumont.”

With that, she pushed open the door with all the dignity she could muster.

Chapter Three

Bayside Blogger @BSBlogger

First nugget of the day. Ellie Owens in @TheBrewside, a certain yummy recluse antagonizing her until she fled the scene...

“Elle, wait up!” Cam called as he rushed out of The Brewside. It had taken him one whole second to realize he’d really hurt her feelings.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want Elle to come tomorrow night. It was more that he didn’t want her to become upset at the party when the local gossips would no doubt descend on her like a scene from Hitchcock’s The Birds.

And dammit, he knew she’d changed. Jasper had changed, too. But the rest of Bayside? Still the same. That was the problem.

Bayside was his home and he loved it. But that didn’t mean he was oblivious to the inherent small-town quirks—like gossip, clinging to the past and more gossip.

Elle and Jasper in the same room with the entire town watching was a recipe for disaster.

But at the moment, Cam needed to find Elle and explain. Or at the very least, apologize. He spotted her light brown hair blowing in the soft breeze coming off the water. She was halfway across the square. He rushed in that direction.

“Elle, hang on.”

“I’m done talking to you.” She kept walking.

Finally close enough to stop her, Cam reached for her arm. He grabbed hold for a second before she shook him off and turned around to face him. “What is your problem?”

“I only wanted to say...”

“What?” she snapped.

“I’m sorry.”

“Well—oh.”

By the way she blinked multiple times in rapid succession without any words coming out of her mouth, he’d obviously taken her by surprise. She started biting her lip, and then squinted up at him.

“I think you got the wrong impression back there,” he said. “My parents’ parties...” He threw his hands up in the air. “They are... I mean, it’s just that the people that go... I really don’t...”

Her face fell and she shrugged. “I get it. You don’t want me there. You think I’ll make a scene and ruin the event. Is that what you’re trying to say?”

“No.”

“Then what?” she asked.

“I hate those parties.”

There, he’d said it out loud. He’d never really told anyone that before, although he was sure many people assumed as much. After all, a surly guy hanging out in the corner, downing beer instead of expensive, imported champagne, and talking to as few people as possible, might give off the impression he wasn’t the party-loving animal the rest of the Dumonts were. He felt almost guilty admitting that. Like he was betraying his family, and hadn’t he already done that when he’d shirked his birthright and started his own company?

“You hate the parties? Really?” She emitted a little laugh.

“Why are you laughing?”

“It’s funny. Unless they’ve drastically changed, your parents’ parties are supposed to rival...” she tapped a finger against her lips, pausing in thought “...Oscar parties, inaugural balls, royal weddings.”

His turn to laugh. “Can’t say I know about any of those things. Listen, I don’t think you’d make a scene tomorrow, although to be honest, it would be a hell of a lot more fun if you did.”

“Cam.” She rolled her eyes, but was smiling as she did so.

She had a nice smile. Really nice, he noticed. It brightened up her face and brought out those adorable dimples in her cheeks.

And the sun was catching her hair, casting a golden hue on the brown tresses.

“Cam,” she repeated. “Tell me the real reason you don’t want me to come to the party.”

He looked around the square, at the stores that hadn’t yet opened for the day. Some wouldn’t open at all, their owners here only for the busy summer tourist season. In the distance, he could hear the squawking of gulls as a fishing boat no doubt returned to the bay.

Bayside was home. It always would be. There was something comforting about that.

“You know,” he said, gesturing vaguely. “Some things have changed around here since you left. But others, not so much.”

Elle nodded even as she narrowed her eyes. “That’s kind of the way of the world.”

“One of the things that changed... I mean, you really should know something.” He wasn’t doing this right.

“What is it?”

He studied her face for a long moment before running a hand through his hair. “Nothing. Never mind.”

“You sure?”

He decided to avoid her question and change the subject instead. “So, do you really have some fancy dress from Milan?”

Elle smiled. “I don’t know about fancy. I was going more for sophisticated. But yes, I have a dress from Milan.”

“Did you go there often?”

She bit her lip, considering. “I went every so often. What I really loved was taking weekend trips to Southern Italy. Naples has the best food.”

Cam found himself genuinely interested. How could he not be when she became so animated talking about a country that she clearly loved. Her eyes were practically sparkling.

“I thought all of the food in Italy was amazing,” he offered.

She licked her lips, an enticing gesture that drew his gaze right to her.

“Oh, it is. Trust me. There’s no salt in the food in Tuscany, which takes some getting used to. But once you do...” She kissed her fingers. “Molto bene. Delizioso.”

There was something really appealing about this woman. It went beyond her looks, which were obviously stunning. But something else drew him to her.

“Of course, the wine is insane. Chianti was a personal favorite. And don’t even get me started on the gelato.” She winked at him. “I’m really going to miss that.”

“I’ve seen gelato here,” Cam said.

Her face fell. “It won’t be the same.”

“Hey,” he said, reaching out and touching her arm. “You sure you’re okay being back here?”

She glanced around the square, a million thoughts crossing her face. She let out a long sigh.

“Elle?” he prompted.

“I will be fine. I know it. I’ve missed it here.”

“But you’re going to miss Italy, too.” He said it rather than asked it because it was so clear she was struggling with this move.

Cam rolled back on his heels as he studied her. She had really beautiful eyes. They were so expressive, yet inquisitive. He bet she didn’t miss much. Including her father’s recent health scare. Cam had to hand it to her. She could have come back for a short visit. Instead, she’d dropped her life, all the things she adored, to return to Bayside.

She gave up her life for her dad. It caused a pit to form in his stomach. She’d run toward her family while he’d run from his and everything they offered.

“Hey, you okay?” she asked. Cam had been right. She was perceptive.

Without overthinking it, he said, “You’re pretty amazing, Elle.”

Those fabulous eyes widened. “Thank you...Jasper.”

Momentarily confused, Cam realized that Elle was looking over his shoulder. Turning, he saw his brother strolling from his car toward The Brewside.

Jasper turned in their direction and gave a small wave to Cam, before he took in Elle.

Could he be more obvious about giving her a long once-over?

Once he’d assessed Elle, he quickly switched courses and headed their way.

“Good morning,” he called.

“Hey, Jasp, what are you doing in town? Shouldn’t you be at the office already?”

Cam really didn’t care about the answer to that question. He was too busy watching Elle for her reaction. She was smiling as she noted his brother approaching.

“I have an off-site meeting first. Cam, why don’t you introduce me to your lovely friend.” Jasper didn’t so much as look toward him as he said this. Instead, he sidled up to Elle and offered her a hand.

Cam shoved his own hands in his pockets. “You already know her.”

But Jasper was shaking her hand, anyway. “I’m only kidding. How could I ever forget someone as beautiful as Ellie Owens?”

Elle pulled her hand out of Jasper’s grasp. “Wow, so early for such a cheesy line.”

Score one for her.

Undeterred and offering Elle what Cam liked to call “Jasper’s megawatt smile,” his brother leaned closer and put a hand over his heart as if it was breaking. “Ouch. But you are beautiful.”

Elle leaned in as well and winked at him. “But I didn’t used to be. In fact, the last time you saw me I probably looked quite different. That can only mean that someone told you I’d returned.”

A crease formed on Jasper’s brow. “Maybe I just remember you.”

“Hmm, perhaps,” Elle said with a coy smile. “Although I think you’ve taken me in longer this morning than you did in all our years of high school.”

It wasn’t often a female addled Jasper’s brain, and Cam was enjoying it.

“I was an idiot in high school,” his brother said, stepping forward again. Taking her hand once more, he added, “Forgive me?” with another Jasper smile.

Elle tilted her head before removing her hand yet again. “It’s fine.”

Shifting uncomfortably, Cam eventually elbowed his brother in the ribs.

“Ow.” Shaking him off, Jasper returned his attention to Elle. “How long are you back in town?”

“I’m not sure, actually.” She chewed on her lip. “I just got back from Florence yesterday.”

“Did you come back with your boyfriend? Husband?”

Cam snorted, unable to hold it in. Elle shot him a look.

“Actually I just broke up with the man I was seeing. I’m single now.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Jasper snapped his fingers. “We should grab dinner some night. Catch up.”

Elle studied him, appearing amused at their meeting. Besides that, Cam couldn’t tell what else she was thinking. Did seeing his brother remind her of her adolescent crush? Personally, he thought Jasper was laying it on a bit thick, but he’d seen plenty of women succumb when his brother wasn’t being half as charming.

“Maybe. We’ll see.”

Score two points for Elle. A team, Cam decided, he was firmly rooting for.

Jasper seemed confused at her reluctance. “Here,” he said, pulling a business card out of his jacket pocket. “Give me a call if you change your mind.” His megawatt smile appeared once more. “In the meantime, you should come to a party tomorrow.”

“The Printemps do at your parents’ house?” she asked innocently.

Jasper’s face lit up. “Yes. Please come as my guest.”

“Actually,” Elle said, “your brother already invited me.”

“My brother...” Jasper turned to him and his left eyebrow arched dramatically. “Oh, really?” He darted his gaze between the two of them, waiting for some obvious sign of understanding. “So are you going...together?” He gestured from one to the other, then leaned toward Cam and whispered, “That’s faster than you usually move.”

Before Cam could counter that, Elle spoke up. “No, we’re not,” she stated quickly.

Too quickly, Cam thought. And why should that bug him?

Jasper took a step closer. “Good to hear.” He offered Elle a wink.

“Well, I really should be going. I wanted to get some sketching in today and the light is just right at the moment. But I’ll see both of you tomorrow.”

She began to walk away, a feminine sway to her hips that Cam knew both his and his brother’s gazes were drawn to.

“Ellie Owens?” Jasper said out loud, after running a hand over his mouth.

“She goes by Elle now,” Cam said, still watching her walk off.

“Little Ellie Owens?” The surprise in Jasper’s voice was comical.

“The one and only,” Cam said drily, slapping a hand on his brother’s back as they watched Elle’s retreating form.

Jasper scrubbed both hands over his face. “When you said she’d changed, you weren’t kidding. She’s gorgeous.”

Yes, she is. “She’s okay.”

“Cam, come on. Too bad she didn’t look like that in high school.” Jasper wiggled an eyebrow for emphasis.

Shaking his head, Cam resisted the urge to sigh.

As he rubbed his hands together, Jasper’s smile grew wide and playful. “Seems like the two of you have gotten cozy pretty fast. Definitely can’t wait for tomorrow’s party now.”

Not for the first time in his life—hell, not for the first time today—Cam had to remind himself that he did in fact love his little brother. No matter how irritating he could be.

“Jasp.” He snapped his fingers in front of Jasper’s face. “What about Mindy?”

“Who?” he asked dreamily.

Cam groaned. “Mindy. Your girlfriend.”

To his credit, Jasper bowed his head as his face reddened. Then his usual playful grin returned. “I’m kidding. She’s out of town. And I wasn’t hitting on Elle, so stop with the reproachful look.”

“Could have fooled me.”

“I was flirting. Flirting is not the same as full-on hitting on a woman. And why should it bother you, anyway? Thought you gave up dating after Spacy Stacy.”

Cam’s own grin came fast and wide. “Spacy Stacy was harmless.” True, she became easily confused over minor details and anything involving numbers, sports or current events. But she’d been fun for a while.

“Harmless but hot. Some of my favorite traits.” Jasper chuckled, but Cam knew he was only kidding.

His brother clapped him on the back. “I just want to see you happy.”

“Who said I’m not happy?” Cam countered.

Jasper nodded in the direction Elle had taken. “I think maybe you could be even happier. You just have to let yourself accept it.”

Cam rolled his eyes. “You sound like one of those stupid daily affirmations podcasts that Mom listens to.”

Jasper pointed toward The Brewside. “I’m going to get some coffee. And don’t knock the podcasts. Maybe you should listen to one before the party tomorrow. Maybe it will help you find your mojo with Elle.”

Cam tried to reach out and slap him on the arm, but his brother was too fast. “I’m over dating,” he yelled, but Jasper ignored him. Cam watched him walk away.

Their mother always promised fireworks at every party she threw. Between Jasper, Elle and the busybodies of Bayside, Cam feared there might be more than one kind of fireworks tomorrow night.

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