"Do you mind if I ride in the passenger seat up front? I'd feel foolish riding in the back."

"Be my guest," he said, closing the back door and opening the passenger side door instead.

She slid inside and admired the tan leather interior. It was a beautiful limo. Paul hopped into the driver's seat and set off.

"So is this a busy time of year?" Alexis asked.

"Fairly. Corporate holiday parties and such."

"Well, I appreciate the ride."

"Anything for Tyler Barnes."

"How do you know him?" she asked.

"We met when we were about thirteen. Took guitar lessons together."

"Are you from Mangrove Island, too?" It wouldn't surprise Alexis to learn that

Paul, too, had attended Wilson with her.

He shook his thick head of wavy, black hair. "He took lessons in Fort Myers, where I'm from."

"Are you as talented as he is?" she asked.

He shook his head. "Not by a long shot. Then again, I played cover songs to meet chicks. Ty writes his own lyrics and music, too. He's the real deal."

"Do you still play?"

"Not as often as I'd like. Running a company takes a lot of time and I like to see my family on occasion," he joked.

"You're married?"

"No, but Deena and I have been together for eight years. We've got two kids."

"Boys or girls?"

"One of each. Penny is five and Luke is three."

"You're lucky."

He gave her a sidelong glance. "How about you?"

"No," she said. "No family."

"Ty's a great guy," Paul said. "He seems to think you're pretty special."

Alexis felt her cheeks color. "Me? He said that?"

Paul wore a lazy grin. "He didn't have to."

"There's nothing going on," Alexis protested hotly. "I'm only here for the holidays."

"Pipe down, Lexi. I'm not accusing you of anything indecent. If two single people like each other, what's the harm?"

Alexis squirmed in her seat. She didn't mean to lose her cool.

He raised a thick eyebrow. "Maybe not so single?"

Alexis stiffened. She wasn't about to get personal with Paul, no matter how close he was with Tyler.

"It's not that simple," she said.

Paul sighed loudly. "Of course not. It never is. Deena was married when we met, so I'm not judging."

"It isn't like that," she objected.

He held up a hand. "Okay, I hear you. You're welcome to your secrets."

"Will I see you at any of Tyler's shows?" she asked, trying to steer the conversation back to neutral territory.

"Not unless you're staying into the new year." He pulled up to the marina and idled. He clearly wasn't opening any doors this time.




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