I pushed the door open and didn’t look back in Sunny’s direction until I’d reached the confines of my office.
chapternine
Sunny
Today’s Special:
Lust-Brined Mistake
Well,that was humiliating.
I had to stop showing up in these situations with Beckett. The second I spotted him, I should’ve turned around and walked back to the party, and skipped the ritualistic beatings we liked to serve each other. Never, not for a single second, should I have given him the tiniest hint that I liked having his big, broody hands on my body. And that near-miss kiss? My god. What had I been thinking?
But that was just it. I hadn’t thought at all. I didn’t think when I was around Beckett Loew and I never made smart, sane choices. I just ran headfirst into fresh, new chaos every time I saw his annoyingly gorgeous face.
“Everything okay, babe?” Meara brought her palms to my cheeks. “You’re looking flushed.”
“It’s nothing. I’m just a little warm.”
She glanced around the empty café as if she expected to come across an explanation. When she didn’t find one, she arched a brow at me. “Okay. I’m going to take your word for it even though it’s rather chilly and there’s a touch of fog rolling in. I came in here to grab my blazer.”
“I’m fine,” I said with a fairly convincing laugh. “Beth and I can take it from here.”
“I like that idea though Beth might be preoccupied. I think she teased her grumpy friend from the oyster company a touch too hard, and, if the noises I heard are any indication, she’s getting every ounce of it back.”
“I can manage without her. There isn’t much left to do.”
She linked her arm in mine and guided me toward the back door, out into the crisp air. “You’re sure you’re good? I’ll stay as long as you need me.” Meara nodded toward the edge of the patio where her husbands stood with arms crossed and gazes fixed on her. “Ignore those pouty faces. They won’t mind.”
I sucked in a breath, nodding. I was fine. I could handle making colossal errors in judgment. I could go on without skipping a beat. I wasgreat. “Get out of here.”
“Promise me you won’t stay too late?”
I grinned. Meara was the best mom anyone three years older than me could be. “Promise.”
I took a pass around the patio after Meara left with her men, collecting stray crockery and making noise about having an early start in the morning to anyone who would listen. I was heading into the kitchen when Beth stepped out of the bathroom, hair wrecked, makeup smudged beyond repair, and lips swollen.
“Hey,” she croaked.
It was my turn to bring the maternal energy. “Are you all right? You look like you just fell out of bed or—”
“—or had a religious experience? Because I think that’s what happened. Religious experience.” She waved a hand over her skirt. “In my vagina. Mostly. I think I just got shucked, maybe.”
I nodded. “Yeah. You should take care of that. Why don’t you head out?”
“Thanks.” She pushed a hand through her hair. “I’ll take one of your opening shifts next week. I swear.”
“Don’t stress. We’ll figure something out.” I stared at her visibly shaky legs. She looked like a newborn colt. “Are you sure you’re safe to drive?” The back door opened and Mel from the oyster company stepped in. She arched a brow at Beth. “So that’s how it is. Okay. Text me when you get home.”
“She will,” Mel said, crooking a finger toward Beth. She obeyed, shuffling toward the door. “Good girl.”
I slumped back against the wall, pressing a hand to my chest. The lust in here was thicker than the fog outside and it did things to me. Stupid things. Irresponsible things.March over to SPOC and tell Beckett that I’d show him what a real mistake looks likethings, which was crazy even among the crazy choices I’d made tonight.
But I went a little crazy around him. More like grossly immature and exceedingly feral, but I didn’t see a reason to put too fine a shine on it right now. Not when I could still feel the pressure of his thumb on my lips, and a significant part of me wanted him to finish what he’d started.
Whatever the hell that was.
Though another part of me wanted nothing to do with that nonsense. Beckett was an annoyance—and a temporary one at that. Once all the drama with his family was settled, he’d be on the next flight out of here. Much like my brother, Beckett made no secret of his distaste for this town. He’d pick up his scowls and his broody bossiness, and he’d leave without a backward glance.
