The Summer Girlfriend (Heart Beach, #1)(69)

“I got donuts,” he said, placing the box on the table. He figured pointing out the obvious was a safe choice.

Percy eyed the box. “I already had pie for breakfast.”

“Ooh, donuts!” Amara said, breezing into the kitchen. She was wearing a vintage Blacula T-shirt and black denim shorts. In one hand, she held her sketchbook, and with her free hand, she opened the box of donuts. “Cinnamon sugar, my favorite. You do love me, Miah.” She beamed, then pointed at the bouquet in his hand with a smile. “Are those for Noelle?”

“Yeah,” Jeremiah said. He cleared his throat and looked at Percy again, anxious that his brother might rebuff him. “I got a Boston cream donut for you. I wasn’t sure if it was still your favorite.”

“It is.” Percy stared at the box, contemplating. Then, “Ah, what the hell.”

He grabbed the Boston cream donut and took a bite. While this definitely wasn’t a heart-to-heart conversation where the brothers put aside their grievances and differences, it was better than arguing.

Jeremiah grabbed a glazed donut and bit into it. Mouth full, he asked, “Where’s everyone else?”

“Outside.” Amara wrapped her donut in a napkin. “Harper and Ash are working on their talent show routine, and they made everyone sit and watch. I’m headed to the beach to sketch for a bit. I’ll be back later.”

She waved at her brothers as she left the kitchen. Without Amara as a buffer, Jeremiah and Percy fell quiet.

“Mom seemed like she had a good time last night,” Jeremiah said. “Even if Mercy Webster kept cornering her and talking her ear off.”

Percy smirked. “Mercy has to be the most talkative person in all of Heart Beach.”

“She called Noelle the wrong name and then tried to convince her to shop at her store.”

Percy snorted as he grabbed a second donut. “Sounds like Mercy.”

Encouraged by Percy’s relaxed attitude, Jeremiah asked, “So, you ready to be a dad of three?”

Percy waited until he was done chewing to speak. “I’m both excited and terrified,” he said. “Robin and I were just saying the other day—”

Percy’s phone suddenly vibrated on the counter, and he paused, peering at the screen. Jeremiah saw an email alert with Smith’s Sweets in the subject line. From the pinched look on Percy’s face, Jeremiah would guess that he hadn’t received good news.

“Another issue with the warehouse?” Jeremiah asked.

Percy glanced up. “No, this time it’s an issue at our new manufacturer. It’s been a headache and a half.” He dusted off his hands. “I have to make some calls. If I don’t see you before you leave, drive safe.”

“Yeah, you too.” Jeremiah tried not to show his disappointment over their positive conversation being cut short.

Percy left the kitchen, holding his phone to his ear as he headed for the stairs. Pop had been adamant about keeping the company family operated. Even though Jeremiah no longer worked for Smith’s Sweets, he was still part of the family. Percy might not want Jeremiah’s help right now, but in the future maybe he would.

He grabbed Noelle’s flowers and walked outside. On the back patio, Harper, Ashley, Zoe, and Ciara were practicing their dance routine. Celeste, Robin, and Ciara and Zoe’s mom from next door, Mrs. Davis, were watching off to the side. And Noelle was standing directly in front of the girls, clapping to help keep them on beat.

The girls attempted a move where they grabbed the hand of the person across from them to switch sides. But Ashley and Zoe crashed into each other. After that mistake, the girls struggled to finish strong. When the song ended, they shared matching expressions of frustration.

“Don’t look so disappointed!” Noelle said, pulling them in for a group hug. “That time was a lot better! Switching places is tricky, but we’ll figure it out.”

“Yeah, listen to Noelle,” Jeremiah said. “She knows what she’s talking about.”

Everyone turned to look at him as he walked closer. Noelle’s eyes drifted from his face to the flowers in his hand. A pink flush spread across her cheeks as she smiled. He wanted to take a picture of her smiling at him this way so that he’d able to look at it whenever he wanted.

“These are for you,” he said, handing her the bouquet.

Noelle accepted the bouquet, and the girls eagerly gathered around her, commenting on how pretty the flowers were.

“So romantic!” Ashley declared, standing on tiptoe to give the flowers a sniff.

“I want somebody to give me flowers,” Zoe pouted, folding her arms across her chest.

“Wait until you’re older,” Mrs. Davis said. “Until then, your dad and I will buy you flowers.”

Noelle looked up at Jeremiah. “These are just like the flowers from last night.”

He nodded. “You mentioned that you liked them. I asked the florist who worked the event to make an arrangement for you. Now you’ll have some for your kitchen table.”

Noelle’s eyes softened. She glanced at the bouquet and looked up at him again. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” he said.

Then, before he realized what was happening, Noelle placed her hand on his cheek, stood on tiptoe, and kissed him. The kiss was quick and light. Over within a millisecond. But Jeremiah felt rewired, nonetheless.