We left the restaurant, hit Oyster Avenue, and ended up at Bliss. It was a chill place with a beachy upscale vibe that served a blend of new American and coastal cuisine. The restaurant got rave reviews from all the foodies. The decor was light and airy.
A hostess seated us at a booth by the window and dealt out menus. Lazy fans spun overhead. White walls and ceilings kept the atmosphere bright. Large flatscreens showcased stunning tropical vistas. Chill music pumped through speakers. It was an easy place to relax in.
A few moments later, the hostess led a guy and his girlfriend past the table. He did a double-take and said, "Kendra?"
She looked at him, and her eyes rounded with recognition. "Hey, how are you?”
She climbed out of the booth and gave him a hug.
"You remember Darcy, don’t you?"
"Yes, of course. It's been forever.”
"I know, right?”
"Tommy, this is Deputy Tyson Wild," Kendra said.
I stood up, shook his hand, and introduced myself to his girlfriend.
"Are you still racing motorcycles?" Tommy asked Kendra.
"Still going around in circles," she said.
"Sometimes I miss it," Tommy replied.
"Get back on a bike, and you will be missing me," Darcy said.
Nervous laughter escaped Tommy's mouth. "Don't worry. Those days are long gone.” He looked at Kendra and said, "You look great."
Then he realized it was probably not the right thing to say in front of his pregnant girlfriend. Her jaw tightened.
Kendra said, "Thanks," and played it off. “You both look fabulous. It's so great to see you.”
"We were just talking about you yesterday," Tommy said. "We went to the air show and saw your dad doing his thing. He’s still as crazy as ever.”
A look of disdain tightened Kendra's face, but she smiled through it. "Yes, he is. Good for him."
"Well, it was great to see you again,” Tommy said, then addressed me. “And nice to meet you.”
His girlfriend took his hand, and they meandered through the restaurant as the hostess led them to their table.
We sat back down, and I stared at Kendra. "You're not related to Mickey Malibu, are you?”
"Unfortunately. Why do you ask?"
I laughed. "It kind of makes sense."
"What makes sense?”
"Well, I can see where you get your daredevil spirit from.”
Kendra's jaw tightened. If I didn't know better, I might think she was glaring at me. "I got nothing from that man.”
"I'm sensing a little tension.”
Her eyes narrowed with suspicion. "How do you know my father?”
"It's kind of a long story.”
