Excitement skipped in Libby’s voice. “Plus, it’s a fabulous place to bring up kids. Think about it. Will is to Nick what you are to me. Best friends. Family. Our kids would grow up together like cousins.”

A picture formed in Jess’s mind and a spurt of excitement sent jitters hurtling through her. “Perhaps I should come down and visit.”

Libby squealed and clapped her hands. “When you do, I’ll get Nick to invite Will out on the boat. Oh, wait! I’ve got a better idea. Nick can give Will a free hire and he can take you. The two of you alone on a yacht, job done!”

The past unexpectedly rose up and slapped her. “You mean just like you and Nick?”

Libby beamed. “Exactly.”

Chapter Three

The six o’clock sun bore down on the bowling greens at the RSL club, which were open to the public for the evening. Many barefoot tourists were attempting to master the fine art of lawn bowling with a drink in their hand. The sea breeze usually brought some relief from the heat, but this evening it was absent, leaving the tidal lake a still and silver pond, rippled only by the occasional cormorant diving deep for its fish dinner. The dry heat shimmered above the damp turf and even sitting in the shade of an umbrella, Alice felt rivulets of sweat running down her belly. Why had she allowed herself to be talked into volunteering tonight?

Because online dating’s been going so well.

Calling it dating was a stretch. So far her “matches” were not striking. Three men had sent her identical messages: Hello, Gorgeous. I love your smile. They were either the same guy or all had read somewhere that this was the opener that guaranteed a positive response. It had such an opposite effect on her that when a fourth guy sent her the text, S’up she’d been tempted to respond.

Meanwhile, she’d carefully read the profiles of all the matches and written to two, starting with hello, reminding them who she was and asking a question based on the interests listed in their profile. She hadn’t received a response from either of them. Had they been overwhelmed by three paragraphs of grammatically correct sentences?

Wishing she could shove her feet into the cooler full of ice, she bent down and plucked a cold can of beer from the drinks selection and rolled it over her hot skin.

The president of the bowling club shot her a disapproving look. “Hey , Alice love. No one’s gonna buy hot beer.”

She dropped the can back onto the ice. “Don’t stress, Rod. We’ve already made a nice fat profit tonight and we’ve still got one very hot hour to go. Besides, I’ve got plans for that beer.”

“Thought you were a gin and tonic girl?”