Stormy Hearts Read online

  “It’s good to hear your voice.”

  “My voice is shot from the show.”

  “Still.”

  “How long have you been dating this guy?”

  “This is the first date. And the last.” She sighed. “Ian, you can’t keep asking me to wait. To give us a chance. I want a life you can’t give me.”

  There was no parking lot at Secret Beach, just a dead-end street that ran right up to the sand. With holiday parking restrictions in place, there was enough room to fit a small stage and the high school band.

  From the stage, Mai looked out over the crowd assembled for the official celebration of St. Caroline’s 300th anniversary. Beyond the crowd, out on the bay, a barge filled with fireworks waited. Despite the evening’s heat, the metal microphone felt cool in her hands. She watched as the high school band director settled down his students. After a minute, he turned and gave her a nod. She took a long breath and then lifted the microphone.

  “O say can you see …”

  Normally, she could sing the national anthem without even thinking about it. In any case, she could forget half the lyrics, fall off the stage, and still get a rousing round of applause from everyone in St. Caroline.

  That might actually happen tonight—because a tall figure had just separated from the back of the crowd. Even in the fading light of sunset—and even though all she could see were his head and shoulders—she recognized him. Improbably enough, Ian was here. In town. Listening to her sing.

  “... that our flag was still there …” The band picked up volume as the crowd joined in for the last two lines. Ian was walking toward the stage, causing a few double takes as people recognized him. Fireworks lit up the sky as the crowd’s collective voice crested over the finish line. By the time Mai seated the microphone back into its stand and hopped down from the temporary stage, Ian was there.

  “What are you—?” Her question was stopped by his kiss. A long, leisurely kiss that left Mai unable to tell whether the sizzling noises she was hearing came from the fireworks or the electricity zinging down her spine.

  “Do you have to stay for the rest?” he murmured into her lips.

  She shook her head, unable even to get out the word, “no.” Ian was here. Unless she was dreaming—which couldn’t be ruled out, because she dreamed about that night with Ian all the time.

  “Then I’ll walk you home.” He laid his arm across her shoulders and tucked her in against his ribs.

  “Aren’t you supposed to be on tour?”

  “Last date was yesterday.”

  They reached a street corner, where he stopped and kissed her again.

  “I’m not going another day without you in my life.”

  “Umm … how’s that going to work? With the band and all?”

  “I quit the band.”

  “What?”

  “Alex needs a much longer stint in rehab. And I’m tired of that life.”

  “So … just like that? You left?”

  He nodded. “Just like that. I told Alex he could replace me. He can continue using the name, if he wants. But I’m out.”

  “And so you came here?”

  They stopped at the next street corner and kissed again. She tallied up the number of street corners left until they reached Two Beans.

  “I promised Simone I would do an album with her. Which will be far more interesting than anything Pulse is doing. And I promised a certain coffee shop owner that I would be back.”

  She was definitely dreaming. “Your timing sucks, though. I swore off men after that last date.”

  “You swore off other men. There, I fixed it for you.”

  Two more street corners. Two more kisses.

  This can’t be happening. Ian came back. For her.

  They stopped in front of Two Beans. The sandbags were long gone. She looked up at him, hesitant to ask him in. It might be the thing that broke the spell and—poof!—he’d disappear. She’d wake up the way she’d been waking up for weeks—to find herself alone in her bed.

  “There’s only one problem,” he added.

  Ah, here comes the kicker.

  “I need a place to stay.”

  “Simone doesn’t have a guest room?” she parried.

  “She does, but she’s a newlywed. I doubt she and Douglas want me hanging around.”

  “I hear the Chesapeake Inn is nice.”

  “Booked until October. Also, the coffee isn’t as good.”

  “I won’t tell them you said that.”

  “I’m sure they already know.” He cupped her chin in his hand. His face was all seriousness now. “And just for the record, I am offering you whatever life you want. Marriage, kids, white picket fence, small-town fireworks, a chance to sing something other than Francis Scott Key.”

  “Small-town fireworks. Is that code for …?

  “Shagging you six ways to Sunday? Yes, it is.”

  His grin was goofy, hopeful, and entirely un-rock-star-like. He ran his thumb along her lower lip, then traced the curve of her neck until he reached her sternum. He tapped the spot over her heart. “Invite me in, Mai with an I. We’ll figure out the rest along the way.”

  She fished a key from the pocket of her skirt, held it up, and then unlocked the door.

  * * *

  ***

  Is this your first time reading a St. Caroline story? If so, please check out the rest of the series! Hearts on Fire is a good place to start …

  Becca Trevor’s life is falling apart. She’s lost her job, her boyfriend’s in jail, and her mother’s quilt shop has just caught fire — with her in it. To make matters worse, town golden boy Jack Wolfe has returned — looking better than ever … but can their budding relationship survive the secret Becca’s been keeping for years?

  Get your copy of Hearts on Fire today!

  If you’ve already read the entire St. Caroline series, hold onto your hat—Secret Beach (Lauren Trevor’s story) is coming November 16.

  Pre-order Secret Beach today

  Be sure to check out the rest of the St. Caroline books!

  * * *

  Hearts on Fire

  Two of Hearts

  This Reminds Me of Us

  Summer Again

  Secret Beach

  About the Author

  Julia Gabriel writes contemporary romance that is smart, sexy, and emotionally-intense (grab the tissues). She lives in New England where she is a full-time mom to a teenager, as well as a sometime writing professor and obsessive quilter (is there any other kind?). If all goes well, she’ll be a Parisienne in her next life.

  Her books have been selected as “Top Picks” by RT Book Reviews, and critics at RT Book Reviews, Kirkus, and others have called her work “nuanced,” “heart-wrenching and emotional,” “well-crafted contemporary romance,” and “deeply moving storytelling.”

  * * *

  Sign up for the Friday Excerpts Club and get an exclusive excerpt from one of Julia’s new, upcoming books every Friday—plus a release day email when the books go live at the retailers.

  * * *

  Sign up today!

  Also by Julia Gabriel

  St. Caroline Series

  Hearts on Fire

  Two of Hearts

  This Reminds Me of Us

  Summer Again

  * * *

  Anything for Her

  (standalone romantic comedy)

  * * *

  Phlox Beauty Series

  Next to You

  Back to Us