“Surprise!” She squeals. “I’m in town. We drove in last night and decided to stay a few days. I meant to call you once we got here, but I was exhausted. Then we spent the day with Harrison, Harlow, and the boys on the beach today, and I needed another nap.” She snorts. “This growing-babies gig is exhausting.”
A smile engulfs my whole face. “Oh my gosh, Ellie. This is the best news ever. I can’t believe it.” It’s taking actual effort not to cry.
“Want to meet at The Wild Shrimp for old times’ sake? Harrison’s already talking about ordering enough oysters for the whole table. Well, everyone but me. I don’t think I can eat that in my current condition.”
I glance at the clock, the empty salon reflected in the mirror. “Give me twenty minutes. I’ll close up and head that way.”
“Perfect. I can’t wait to see you.”
“Same,” I say, softer than I meant to. “Thank you for coming.” A small sob betrays me. “You have no idea how much I needed this.”
“Awe, babe. Me too! See you soon.”
Opening the front door,I step inside one of my favorite Candy Cane Key restaurants. The Wild Shrimp is a casual locals hangout with good food at reasonable prices. The scent of butter, lemon, and succulent grilled seafood wraps around me like an old friend.
This place has always been the kind to bring friends together. The same worn bar stools and vinyl booths, an old jukebox in the corner playing dance, country,andChristmas tunes. And the best damn margaritas in town.
I spot Ellie instantly. She’s waving from a long table in the back, that sunshine smile of hers pulling me in like a magnet. “Char!” She’s on her feet before I’ve even reached her, wrapping me in a hug that feels like home.
“I can’t believe you’re really here,” I say into her shoulder, pulling back with a laugh. “How did you keep this secret? Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t entirely sure we’d manage to get away from the restaurant,” she says, biting her lower lip. “But a few people stepped up and offered to keep things up and running if I prepped the bigger dishes. We’ll only be open for breakfast and lunch, but it’s something.” She shrugs. “But Matt and I were homesick after seeing so many folks from Candy Cane Key at the wedding. It’s been too long.”
I slide into the chair beside where Ellie’s standing. Smoothing my newly styled shoulder-length hair out of my face. “You picked a good week. The humidity’s only trying to kill us part-time.”
Ellie laughs, dropping back into her seat. “You look great, by the way. Seriously, that color suits you. Are those highlights?”
“It’s a new colored ombre effect I’m trying out on the tips of the hair.” I lift a small section and give it a questioning expression. “So far the jury is out.” I laugh.
Out of the blue, a set of strong, tatted arms wraps around me. “Hey, Char.”
“Hi, Matt. How are you? Thanks for the visit. It was just the medicine I needed.”
Ellie squeezes my forearm, her face a mask of concern. “Medicine? Is anything wrong?”
“No,” I blurt, though my stomach twists with nerves at the recent upheaval in my life. “Just been missing you. Work’s been really busy.” This has thankfully kept me distracted from thoughts of violent stalkers and off-limits hot firefighters from states away. But I’m definitely not sharing that. I’ll leave it at, “Keeps me out of trouble.”
Before Ellie can respond, a shadow moves across the table, and a familiar voice greets us. “Hey, got room for three more?”
“Hey, Harlow.” I pull her in for a squeeze. I can’t believe we live in the same small town, yet I never manage to see her. “It’s been so long.”
“I know. Too long. Between the ER, guard duty, and the kids, my life is a bit much these days.”
As I lean to the left to greet Harrison, my eyes land on—Not Harrison. I gulp at the unexpected sight.
It’s him.
The soft glow from the overhead light catches in his hair. As if sensing my stare, he looks up, his gorgeous brown eyes holding mine. My heart gives one aching, unsteady thud.
Harrison moves closer, draping an arm around my shoulders.
“Hey, old man,” I say, hugging him back. But my gaze drifts like the traitor it is, right back to Dave. How had Ellie not told me he was here? Okay, so I never shared about our explosive night together after her wedding. But I have no doubt we were the town gossip when we left the reception together.
He smiles cautiously as I approach, polite but deliberate. Yet that charming twinkle in his eye is untamed. “Char.” It’s a single word, but the sound of my name from his sexy lips is like a wake-up call to all of the butterflies in my lower belly.
This is crazy. I’ve got enough on my plate with concerns about my past coming back to haunt me. Dave needs to stay a diverting memory. I’m too emotional to be tempted into more than one nightwith a man who lives states away. Heck, he already stars in a nightly replay of our rendezvous. One that brought me back to life in more ways than one. Yet, I’m well aware a repeat performance could only lead to heartache.
I can feel those familiar walls go up before one word has left my lips. “Hey,” I breathe, trying to sound casual. My pulse, however, has other ideas.
