Raking his hand through his shaggy blond hair, Sam sat on a stool and rested the guitar he carried on his knee.
‘He might rub people up the wrong way sometimes, but my gosh, he’s super sexy. Women dream about running their fingers through that hair,’ whispered Amelia.
‘Or getting their hands on his body,’ added Clemmie.
‘What do you mean, he rubs people up the wrong way?’ asked Verity.
But Amelia didn’t answer. Sam strummed his guitar and again the girls screamed.
‘They think he’s the Harry Styles of Puffin Island.’ Clemmie grinned.
He strummed again and looked up from under his fringe at the audience. As he scanned the room his eyes met Verity’s and every inch of her body erupted in uncontrollable goosebumps. She already knew the main reason she would return to Puffin Island; it might have something to do with those goddamn sexy blue eyes, which were currently locked with hers. And then there it was again, that wolfish grin that had her heart racing faster than a Formula One driver completing a qualifying lap. ‘Your Sam Wilson fantasies are written all over your face,’ quipped Clemmie, clearly noting that Verity’s eyes had not left him since he took the stage.
‘I can’t deny the thoughts I have right now,’ said Verity with a laugh. ‘Like, how many times a week must you work out to get a body that toned?’ She barely knew the man but from the moment she’d spotted him outside the greasy spoon he’d crept more and more into her thoughts. She wanted to know all about him.
As he began to sing, the whole pub fell silent, lost in the mesmerising talent that was Sam Wilson. All eyes were fixed on him. The group of girls in the corner were holding up the torches on their phone and swaying back and forth as if they were at an arena concert.
Verity tilted her head and dreamily put her hand on her heart. ‘He’s definitely singing to me.’
‘You and every other girl in the pub are thinking exactly the same,’ jollied Amelia.
Every now and then Sam’s eyes danced in Verity’s direction and she found herself trying to tame the smile on her face. The air was charged and she felt a buzz under her skin, her body parts suddenly waking up after being fast asleep for what seemed like years. Sam Wilson had got her attention, and the feeling of wanting was definitely back.
‘He should be a professional singer.’
Clemmie agreed. ‘He should be, but his true love is his restaurant. He lives and breathes The Sea Glass Restaurant and in five minutes’ time he’ll be back over there.’
‘Does he have a girlfriend?’ Verity was intrigued. Of course, she’d checked for a wedding ring the minute she set eyes on him at the greasy spoon café. There wasn’t one, but surely a man like Sam must be loved up with someone.
There was a glance between Amelia and Clemmie that didn’t go unnoticed by Verity. ‘What? Tell me!’ she insisted.
Amelia shrugged at Clemmie, waiting for some acknowledgement that it was okay to share whatever it was they knew.
‘Sam’s decided that he’s better off on his own, even though every girl in this pub thinks they’re in with a chance.’
‘And why would someone decide they’re better off on their own?’ Verity thought about her own life and why she was here and realised she shouldn’t be quick to judge. Before she arrived on Puffin Island, being on her own for the rest of her life had looked like a very desirable option. ‘He’s had his heart broken, hasn’t he?’
Clemmie nodded.
‘Islander or tourist?’
‘Tourist turned islander, but unfortunately Puffin Island wasn’t enough for her. She’s been gone for over a year now.’
‘And does she have a name?’
‘Alice,’ shared Amelia.
Sam began singing the chorus, delivering the words from the heart, making everyone in the pub believe them. He was singing about heartache and for a second Verity thought she saw sadness flash across his eyes. The song resonated with her and she hung on every word, remembering how, when she discovered Richard’s betrayal, it had felt as if a huge knife had been stabbed through her heart. Then she had been at an all-time low, thinking her life had ended, questioning herself, especially after the unkind words of someone who should have wanted to protect her at all costs – her mother. But it was true, time was a great healer, and even though she was still on that healing journey, she no longer wanted to hit the self-destruct button. Richard had shown exactly who he was, and that wasn’t her person; her person would be honest, would look out for her needs, and they’d encourage each other’s growth. Thanks to her short visit to Puffin Island, it felt as though brighter days would soon be coming. The moment she drove across that causeway, she’d realised she had full control of her life, thoughts and feelings.
Still not taking her eyes off Sam, Verity sipped her drink. When he finished, he looked up from under his fringe, his blue eyes briefly locking on hers. There it was again, that burst of adrenalin that was electrifying her heart.
‘He’s looking at you.’ Amelia gave Verity a playful poke in the back.
‘Don’t be ridiculous, he was just looking in this direction,’ she replied, playing it down. But something inside her told her they had just shared a moment.
Standing up to rapturous applause, Sam bowed, smiled and once more caught Verity’s eye before disappearing out of the back door.
‘Wow, he can really sing.’ Verity was still looking at the closed door, a part of her hoping he would walk back through so she could tell him how fantastic he was, hopefully without sounding like another groupie. ‘And look at them all,’ she added, glancing towards his fan club.
