Italy was amazing,” he offered.
She licked her lips, an enticing gesture that drew his gaze right to her.
“Oh, it is. Trust me. There’s no salt in the food in Tuscany, which takes some getting used to. But once you do...” She kissed her fingers. “Molto bene. Delizioso.”
There was something really appealing about this woman. It went beyond her looks, which were obviously stunning. But something else drew him to her.
“Of course, the wine is insane. Chianti was a personal favorite. And don’t even get me started on the gelato.” She winked at him. “I’m really going to miss that.”
“I’ve seen gelato here,” Cam said.
Her face fell. “It won’t be the same.”
“Hey,” he said, reaching out and touching her arm. “You sure you’re okay being back here?”
She glanced around the square, a million thoughts crossing her face. She let out a long sigh.
“Elle?” he prompted.
“I will be fine. I know it. I’ve missed it here.”
“But you’re going to miss Italy, too.” He said it rather than asked it because it was so clear she was struggling with this move.
Cam rolled back on his heels as he studied her. She had really beautiful eyes. They were so expressive, yet inquisitive. He bet she didn’t miss much. Including her father’s recent health scare. Cam had to hand it to her. She could have come back for a short visit. Instead, she’d dropped her life, all the things she adored, to return to Bayside.
She gave up her life for her dad. It caused a pit to form in his stomach. She’d run toward her family while he’d run from his and everything they offered.
“Hey, you okay?” she asked. Cam had been right. She was perceptive.
Without overthinking it, he said, “You’re pretty amazing, Elle.”
Those fabulous eyes widened. “Thank you...Jasper.”
Momentarily confused, Cam realized that Elle was looking over his shoulder. Turning, he saw his brother strolling from his car toward The Brewside.
Jasper turned in their direction and gave a small wave to Cam, before he took in Elle.
Could he be more obvious about giving her a long once-over?
Once he’d assessed Elle, he quickly switched courses and headed their way.
“Good morning,” he called.
“Hey, Jasp, what are you doing in town? Shouldn’t you be at the office already?”
Cam really didn’t care about the answer to that question. He was too busy watching Elle for her reaction. She was smiling as she noted his brother approaching.
“I have an off-site meeting first. Cam, why don’t you introduce me to your lovely friend.” Jasper didn’t so much as look toward him as he said this. Instead, he sidled up to Elle and offered her a hand.
Cam shoved his own hands in his pockets. “You already know her.”
But Jasper was shaking her hand, anyway. “I’m only kidding. How could I ever forget someone as beautiful as Ellie Owens?”
Elle pulled her hand out of Jasper’s grasp. “Wow, so early for such a cheesy line.”
Score one for her.
Undeterred and offering Elle what Cam liked to call “Jasper’s megawatt smile,” his brother leaned closer and put a hand over his heart as if it was breaking. “Ouch. But you are beautiful.”
Elle leaned in as well and winked at him. “But I didn’t used to be. In fact, the last time you saw me I probably looked quite different. That can only mean that someone told you I’d returned.”
A crease formed on Jasper’s brow. “Maybe I just remember you.”
“Hmm, perhaps,” Elle said with a coy smile. “Although I think you’ve taken me in longer this morning than you did in all our years of high school.”
It wasn’t often a female addled Jasper’s brain, and Cam was enjoying it.
“I was an idiot in high school,” his brother said, stepping forward again. Taking her hand once more, he added, “Forgive me?” with another Jasper smile.
Elle tilted her head before removing her hand yet again. “It’s fine.”
Shifting uncomfortably, Cam eventually elbowed his brother in the ribs.
“Ow.” Shaking him off, Jasper returned his attention to Elle. “How long are you back in town?”
“I’m not sure, actually.” She chewed on her lip. “I just got back from Florence yesterday.”
“Did you come back with your boyfriend? Husband?”
Cam snorted, unable to hold it in. Elle shot him a look.
“Actually I just broke up with the man I was seeing. I’m single now.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Jasper snapped his fingers. “We should grab dinner some night. Catch up.”
Elle studied him, appearing amused at their meeting. Besides that, Cam couldn’t tell what else she was thinking. Did seeing his brother remind her of her adolescent crush? Personally, he thought Jasper was laying it on a bit thick, but he’d seen plenty of women succumb when his brother wasn’t being half as charming.
“Maybe. We’ll see.”
Score two points for Elle. A team, Cam decided, he was firmly rooting for.
Jasper seemed confused at her reluctance. “Here,” he said, pulling a business card out of his jacket pocket. “Give me a call if you change your mind.” His megawatt smile appeared once more. “In the meantime, you should come to a party tomorrow.”
“The Printemps do at your parents’ house?” she asked innocently.
Jasper’s face lit up. “Yes. Please come as my guest.”
“Actually,” Elle said, “your brother already invited me.”
“My brother...” Jasper turned to him and his left eyebrow arched dramatically. “Oh, really?” He darted his gaze between the two of them, waiting for some obvious sign of understanding. “So are you going...together?” He gestured from one to the other, then leaned toward Cam and whispered, “That’s faster than you usually move.”
Before Cam could counter that, Elle spoke up. “No, we’re not,” she stated quickly.
Too quickly, Cam thought. And why should that bug him?
Jasper took a step closer. “Good to hear.” He offered Elle a wink.
“Well, I really should be going. I wanted to get some sketching in today and the light is just right at the moment. But I’ll see both of you tomorrow.”
She began to walk away, a feminine sway to her hips that Cam knew both his and his brother’s gazes were drawn to.
“Ellie Owens?” Jasper said out loud, after running a hand over his mouth.
“She goes by Elle now,” Cam said, still watching her walk off.
“Little Ellie Owens?” The surprise in Jasper’s voice was comical.
“The one and only,” Cam said drily, slapping a hand on his brother’s back as they watched Elle’s retreating form.
Jasper scrubbed both hands over his face. “When you said she’d changed, you weren’t kidding. She’s gorgeous.”
Yes, she is. “She’s okay.”
“Cam, come on. Too bad she didn’t look