her? She’s attractive, isn’t she?”
“Very. You on your way out?” Ben gestured toward the door. “I need to get back to the office.”
“Yeah, I’m done here.” They fell into step walking across the marble floor to the open door, dodging people along the way. “Luci was an intern at the Herald when I worked there. Then we went to the U at the same time, although I graduated a year ahead of her.”
“So you two go way back.”
“Just as friends.” Cody emphasized the word friends.
They went down the steps to the parking lot. Cody was searching his brain for something else to say about Luci when Ben asked, “Is she seeing anyone?”
Finally. He was beginning to think he’d have to spell it out. “No, she’s not. She was dating a guy at the U for a while, but that didn’t work out.” Cody was glad it hadn’t. Seth had seemed like a loser. Not good enough for Luci. He eyed Ben. Was he good enough?
“So, you think you’d like to ask Luci out?”
Ben nodded. “I was thinking of asking her to dinner.”
Yes! Cody restrained himself from making a fist and pumping the air and instead nodded solemnly. “I’m sure she’d like that.”
“Where would you suggest we go? I could ask her for suggestions, but I’d like to have some ideas myself.” Ben whipped out a pair of sunglasses from his jacket pocket and pushed them up on his nose with his forefinger.
“Beach Café’s probably your best bet. Casual but with a touch of elegance. Can’t beat the view.” He was already imagining them at a window table, enjoying one of Willow Beach’s spectacular sunsets—when they weren’t gazing into each other’s eyes.
Ben took out his car keys. “Sounds good. Why don’t you come, too?”
Cody gave him a look. “Me?” He pointed at himself. “Why would I—”
Ben shrugged. “I’m not much of a talker... In fact, maybe this isn’t such a good idea, after all.”
“No, wait.” Cody put out a hand. “Okay, I’ll come and...bring someone.” Right now, he had no idea who. But if that was what it took to get Ben and Luci together, he’d do it.
Ben looked at his watch. “Gotta go. I’m late.”
Before Cody could say any more, Ben climbed into his truck. He started the engine and roared from the parking lot.
Cody stared after him. What had just happened here? But maybe his presence on their date would be a good thing. Then he could make sure Ben and Luci were getting along okay.
But now he had to come up with someone for himself. Who would that be? Most of the women he knew were either married or had moved away. He wandered down Main Street, deep in thought.
He was about to give up when he found himself in front of Sylvie’s Souvenir Shop. Sylvie Ventura. He snapped his fingers. Yes.
He opened the door and went inside. “Is Sylvie around?” he asked the teenage clerk.
She nodded toward the back of the store. “In the office.”
Cody hurried past the crowded shelves. Seashells were everywhere: wind chimes, boxes, lamps, coasters, bowls and flowerpots. Then came the clothing section: flip-flops and tennis shoes, sweatshirts and jeans, hats and scarves, and then, finally, he reached the open door to the office.
Sylvie stood behind a counter unpacking a box of T-shirts. “Cody!” She put down a handful of shirts and ran to give him a hug.
He put his arms around her and hugged her back. Her topknot tickled his chin and her perfume filled his nostrils. She broke away and looked him up and down. “Heard you were back in town and workin’ for the chamber. Glen Thomas.” She tsked-tsked. “He’s a driver.”
“He’s okay. Leaves me and Luci pretty much on our own.”
Sylvie shook her forefinger. “Yeah. Just don’t cross him.”
“And that would be how?”
“Forget I said that.” She waved a hand, jangling her bracelet made of tiny seashells. Her dangling earrings were also made of shells, and her pink shirt read Willow Beach Rocks. He glanced down at her jeans and flip-flops. Sylvie was a walking advertisement for her souvenir shop.
“Looks like you’re doing a great job, taking over for your folks.”
“I’m trying. Growing up in the business helps. I’ve been working here since I was old enough to walk, practically.” She grinned. “So what brings you here today? Want me to pose for you?” She placed her hand behind her head and fluttered her eyelashes.
Cody laughed. “Sure. But later. I’ve a favor to ask first.”
“Okay. I’m listening, but let me buy you a drink. C’mon.”
She led him to the employee’s lounge, which was decorated with orange and red vinyl furniture and a soft drink machine with blinking lights. A few minutes later, bottle of soda in hand and seated on one of the vinyl couches, Cody asked Sylvie to go out to dinner with him and Ben and Luci.
While he talked, she drank her soda and tapped her red fingernails—which matched her toenails—against the bottle.
When he finished, Sylvie set her drink on a glass-topped table. “Let me get this straight. You want me to be your dinner date because you’re trying to get this Ben and Luci together, and he needs moral support.”
“Something like that.”
“And I’m supposed to be your date,” she asked.
“Think of it more as friends getting together.”
“But you want Ben and Luci to be more than friends? Cody, Cody. Everybody knows Luci’s had a crush on you since she was in high school and you were working for the Herald.”
Cody stiffened. “Maybe so, but now we’re just friends.”
“Does Luci know that? What are you trying to prove here?”
Cody set down his soda and raised both hands. “I’m not trying to prove anything. Ben says he’s interested in Luci, but he’s, well, shy, and needs a nudge. I got them talking about birds—Ben’s hobby is bird-watching—but I can tell he’s a slow mover.”
“And what does Luci think about Ben?”
Cody shrugged. “Who knows? Maybe you can find that out. You’re not hooked up with anyone right now, are you? I heard you and Eddie Lightner were quits.”
Sylvie gave an unladylike snort. “That jerk better not show his face around here again.”
“What happened?”
She folded her arms and tilted her head toward the ceiling. “You don’t want to know. Anyway, I’m off men right now. Big-time.”
