Thwarting Cupid Read Free Page B

that she had some backup, she leveled a haughty glare at Kelvin. “Take your hand off of me. Or would you like assault added to the growing list of charges against you?”
    While Kelvin and Carissa regrouped, the martial arts class crept closer until they were hemmed in. Kelvin had no easy escape. The class formed a half circle around them while the lifeguard station completed the trap.
    Robby stepped forward. “God, Kelvin. You’re such a loser. I can’t believe you totally just attacked this poor woman out of the blue. What is wrong with you?”
    “I didn’t. You saw what she did, taking that photo.”
    “She’s a fan. Of course she took a photo. I can’t go anywhere without someone taking a photo. No thanks to you.”
    Carissa had no idea what was going on here, but she wasn’t about to question it. Nor was she able to explain it to Hutch, who was looking even more confused than she was.
    “I can’t have a crazy person representing me. And just so we’re clear, you’re still fired. In fact, you’re more than fired. I’m moving to Endeavor.”
    Just like that, Kelvin forgot all about Carissa. Robby pushed his way out of the crowd. The slimy weasel followed him. “Robby baby. You don’t mean it. We’ve come too far together.”
    The people dispersed, leaving Carissa standing there next to a stunned Hutch. There was another man next to him wearing a bright red jacket with a white cross on the breast pocket. He was also wearing khakis and looked just as confused as Hutch.
    Carissa smiled at them both.
    “Hutch! What the heck are you doing over this way?” She gave him a friendly hug and tried not to dwell on his powerful arms that surrounded her for too brief a time before letting go. “Who’s your friend?” She reached out to shake his hand.
    Hutch gestured toward the other man. “This is Stuart Spencer, Lifeguard Supervisor. I need him to send a couple guards to speak at one of our school assemblies. I run the Foundation for Educational Excellence, now.”
    “Wow! Look at you, all grown up.”
    Hutch smiled. “And you.” He gestured toward the receding class with its movie star pupil. “What was that all about?”
    Carissa shrugged and tucked the phone safely in her pocket. “A misunderstanding. Sorry about interrupting your meeting.”
    Stuart held up his hands, waving off her apologies. “We were finished anyway.” The men shook hands. “Email me the details. I’ll line up some folks for you.”
    Hutch gave him a grateful smile. “That’s wonderful. The kids will appreciate it. I do, too.”
    Stuart waved and headed up the ramp into the lifeguard station, leaving Hutch and Carissa alone on the sand. She gestured toward the ocean. “Pretty great venue for a meeting.”
    He chuckled. Together, they headed back toward the street. “My office isn’t far from here. It was much easier to stalk Stuart in person than to keep calling him.”
    She glanced back at the lifeguard station. “I’m glad things worked out. I’d feel horrible if I’d ruined things bowling you over like that.”
    He rubbed his shoulder with an exaggerated grimace. “What’d you do, become a linebacker since the last time we saw each other?”
    “Funny.” She indicated a nearby bench. “Maybe you better take a load off to recover. Or do you not have the time?”
    “I'm the boss. I'll make time.” The two of them sat down. Carissa hoped he couldn't tell how eagerly she was devouring him with her eyes. Boy, she'd had such a crush on him back in the day. They'd both been volunteers for a local charity to combat homelessness. There for a moment, she had thought he might feel the same way. Then she'd gotten busy with her day job and he'd started dating some other girl. Before long, their communication had been relegated to updates on Facebook.
    “I’d love to hear all about this Foundation of yours.”
    * * * *
    Hutch had planned to pick up lunch for his staff after meeting with Stuart. The whole office and