J.T. Marie

When Tara receives a wedding invitation from a cousin she hasn't seen in years, she knows it's nothing more than a bid for a gift or money. But Amanda lives in Wildwood, New Jersey, where Tara used to spend her summers as a child, and a much-needed vacation down the shore sounds like the perfect way to finish off a hectic summer.<br><br>Every hotel in the tourist trap is booked, though, so Tara's Aunt Marlene invites her to stay with them the week of the wedding. But Wildwood isn't quite the island paradise she remembers from her youth, and both her relatives would rather get drunk than have fun on the boardwalk. Plus Marlene is determined to set Tara up with a coworker of hers even though Tara isn't interested -- in men or in romance.<br><br>The vacation is beginning to look like a bust until the night of Amanda's bachelorette party, when Tara meets Delaney, a pretty bartender with fiery curls and a personality to match. Suddenly the summer heat isn't the only thing making her sweat. Can Tara salvage what's left of her time in Wildwood with Delaney's help? Or will family obligations keep her from following her heart?

Heat Wave: Wildwood

But it was too late. Amanda was already inside, the screen door slapping shut behind her. Marlene sat back in her chair and studied Tara over the top of her own drink, a satisfied smile toying with the corners of her mouth. “God, look at you,” she said finally with a sigh. “All grown up. You look just like your mother, you know that? Very pretty, too. So tell me, anyone special in your life? Or did you come here hoping to find a summer romance?”


“Mom!” Amanda kicked open the screen door, two slushy drinks in her hands. She handed one to Tara and kept the other for herself. “What’d I tell you? No playing matchmaker while she’s here.”


Aunt Marlene started, “I’m just asking—”


“Well, don’t,” Amanda snapped, taking her seat again. “Tara doesn’t want to be set up with any of your charity cases.”


Chapter 7