Tempted in the Tropics by Tracy March Page A

there’d been a conspiracy to set up the two of them, as ridiculous as that was in light of things. She wondered whose genius idea that had been—certainly not Lane’s—and she intended to find out.
    She hurried up the busy block in downtown Baltimore, shivering in the cold despite her heavy coat. It was hard to believe she’d be in the tropics soon, wearing a bikini and soaking up the sun. The chilly wind practically pushed her down the sidewalk as she scurried toward the upscale dress shop, flung open the door, and found Liza waiting inside.
    It had been a couple of months since Liza had gotten engaged, but she still had that drunk-with-happiness look on her face that Paige hoped never went away. After Liza’s former fiancé had died a couple of years ago, Paige worried that Liza’s grief might never allow her to fall in love again. Then she’d met Cole, her Prince Charming in a baseball uniform.
    “Seven days and counting.” Paige hugged her tightly, catching a whiff of Liza’s signature wildflower scent. Every once in a while, Paige would spritz on perfume, but her signature scent was “kitchen.”
    “Can you believe it?”
    “No.” Paige couldn’t believe half the stuff that was going on in her life right now. “It’s so fast, but I like that. No time to get too stressed about anything.” Except having Dr. Uptight on the trip. She considered making it her personal mission to tempt him to loosen up.
    “Exactly. And I’ve picked out a no-stress dress for you, too.”
    Paige scrunched her nose. “Please say it’s not orange.” Liza was a die-hard Orioles fan, and most of her wardrobe was black and orange.
    Liza shot her a determined look. “The one I want you to try on is actually burgundy. If it fits, we’ll order it for you in orange.”
    Paige struggled to keep a straight face because clearly Liza was serious. She didn’t want to hurt her feelings, but orange? “For real?”
    Liza nodded. “It’s bright and tropical. Perfect for an island wedding.”
    Perfect if you want your maid of honor to look like a carrot stick.
    “Cole’s down with me wearing Orioles orange at his wedding?” Paige asked.
    “It’s kind of a consolation.” Liza pulled a cute yellow minidress from a nearby rack and studied it. “He feels a little bad about the Nats beating the Os in the World Series, so he said we could use Orioles colors for our wedding. Mom and Dad are so excited.”
    “I’ll bet.” Paige forced a smile and tipped her head toward the yellow mini. “Cute for your honeymoon.”
    “That’s what I was thinking.”
    “You should see if they have it in orange.”
    Liza browsed through the racks as they made their way back to the dressing room. “I hope the dress will fit, and we can make this quick and painless.”
    “That’s more than I can say for that stunt you, Sylvia, and Mrs. Hawthorne pulled at dinner last night.”
    “What stunt?” Liza’s eyes went all wide and innocent, but Paige didn’t buy her act.
    “The little matchmaker game y’all are playing with me and Dr. Dread.”
    Liza lowered her eyebrows. “Dr. Dread? That pink dye must’ve seeped into your brain. Lane’s a great guy—more like Dr. Dream with those eyes and that hair. He could resuscitate most women just by looking at them.”
    “Whatever.” But Paige couldn’t stop imagining his eyes, focused on her. And his hands, with his long, ringless fingers, all over her, too. “The only thing that’s going to need resuscitating is my business if he doesn’t butt out of it.” She winced. When would she ever learn to keep her mouth shut? Next thing she knew, Liza would whip out a stack of hundreds and insist Paige take the money.
    “His argument made sense,” Liza said. “But I understand where you’re coming from, too.”
    Paige’s insides knotted. Was anyone totally on her side?
    Liza must’ve seen the question on her face. She squeezed Paige’s hand. “I promise Sweet Bee’s will be okay. If you