Reckless Hearts by Melody Grace Page A

my new clients.”
    “And
how perfect you’d be to take over,” Lottie grins.
    “That
too.”
    I
say goodbye to her and Kit, then head back across town, striding fast
as I try to get my mind focused back to the most important thing in
my life right now: proving to Marcie I’ve got what it takes to
take over the business when she finally retires. I know I’m
young, but my sales list speaks for itself: nobody knows this town
like I do, and nobody else can give Oak Harbor Realty the energy and
direction it needs. I’ve been hustling hard ever since those
part-time jobs in high-school, but now I finally feel like my dream
is within reach: a business of my own, something I can build and
really be proud of.
    I
step into the offices, ready to set my tasers to “charm.”
Marcie is in her office, so I grab the bakery box I picked up earlier
on my break and go tap on her door. “I was at Franny’s,
and I couldn’t resist.” I hold up the box. “Key
lime pie, it’ll take you right to the tropics.”
    “Ooh.”
Marcie brightens. “Sounds delish.”
    Step
one, sugar high. Check!
    I
set the open box on her desk with two forks—then sit back and
let her dig in alone. “How’s the boat?” I ask,
nodding to the magazines she’s got spread on her desk.
    “Oh,
it’s great,” Marcie replies, through a mouthful of pie.
Her bright red hair is blown out into its usual bob, and she’s
wearing her uniform of a flowing chiffon blouse and linen pants;
chunky gold bracelets on each wrist. “We just got done
redecorating, and Bob can’t wait to take her out on the open
water . . .”
    I
smile and nod as she continues talking, telling me every little
detail about the new slip they’re renting down in the Keys, and
the tour of the islands she’s been planning all year. Even
though it’s annoying sometimes to be the only one busting my
ass around here, Marcie deserves the break; with two kids full-grown
and a beach house calling, I can’t blame her for checking out.
“When are you heading down next?” I ask, when she pauses
for more pie.
    “That’s
what I wanted to talk to you about.” Marcie suddenly looks
serious. “Bob’s been talking, and, well, there’s a
big Parrothead get-together in Key Largo at the end of the month.
We’d love to take a couple of weeks and cruise on down there;
get the old girl wet. I know it’s last-minute, we’d leave
in a couple of days, and it’s our busiest season—”
    “I
can handle it!” I exclaim.
    Marcie
pauses. “Are you sure? I was thinking of just closing up shop,
give you a chance to take some vacation, too. You haven’t had a
day off since, well . . . I don’t think
you’ve ever even called in sick. And all these weekend open
houses—”
    “I’m
happy to help,” I insist, spying my opportunity. “You go
cruise, and I’ll take care of everything here. You don’t
need to worry, I’ve got it covered.”
    Marcie
wavers. “Well, we do have a lot of clients looking right now,
and I’d hate to leave them in the lurch.”
    My
clients .
    “I
promise, I don’t mind running things. It won’t be the
same without you,” I quickly add, in case I seem too glad to
have her gone. “But I’ll do my best.”
    “You’re
a gem,” Marcie beams. “What would I do without you?”
    Cruise
on off into the sunset, I think, but give her a smile instead. “I’m just happy to
help.”
    Help—and
prove the office can run so smoothly without her, she’ll never
have to worry about leaving it in my hands again. And if Marcie has
so much fun down there in Florida she decides to make it a permanent
move? Well, I’ll be ready to take over for good, just like I’ve
always wanted.
     
    I
happily wrap things up for the weekend, then head home, quickly
changing into some cut-offs and sneakers before I go meet Sawyer down
by the creek. I know Lottie doesn’t understand why I love
fishing—none of my girlfriends ever do—but it’s
been a hobby of mine ever since I was a