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

“Well, I’m not saying you’reold,” her cousin hastened to explain.


Tara shook her head. “No, of course not.”


“I’m just saying I wouldn’t date you. You’re too old for me.” Amanda grinned. “I’m not making this any better, am I?”


With a sigh, Amanda tried, “Well, he’s also divorced. Dealing with ex-girlfriends is bad enough. I don’t want to find out what an ex-wife is like. Plus, he’s a sleaze. Half the time he’s over here, he’s trying to look down my shirt. I don’t know whatMom sees in him.”


Tara dropped back onto the bed. “An easy lay?”


“Pfft. Please. She has a vibrator for that.” Amanda smiled down at her. “I know, I gave it to her for Christmas last year.”


Tara’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You didn’t!”


“It’s the same thing I’m giving all my girls at my bachelorette party tomorrow night,” Amanda said proudly. “I even got you one once you said you’d be coming. Get it? Coming?”


Tara felt her face heat up. “Got it. Why are you having it so early?”


Chapter 8