Summer watches all of this with fascination. She studies the menu, looks at me, and grins knowingly.
I watch this exchange with absolute fascination as well. Wow. Did she just charm our town grump?
I watch her lay her hand on his arm and laugh at something he says, and I see Jonah smirk under his big bushy beard.
Holy shit. She did.
Of course she did. She’s sunshine personified.
This pleases me for some reason. Like she just passed a test I didn’t know I’d given her. More proof in the “wife material” department? I inwardly cringe because I don’t do this. I don’t get smitten.
But neither does Jonah, and he’s just as charmed by her.
I get Jonah’s dumbstruck look. I know exactly why he’s frozen. I’ve been caught like this before, and it’s impossible to resist her.
Dangerous. This woman is dangerous to my heart.
I notice Jonah relaxes by a fraction. “Are you visiting long?”
Watching Jonah’s cheeks blush whilst making small talk has got to be one of the highlights of my evening.
“For the summer,” Silvie says. “I love it here. I never want to leave.”
Jonah nods as if this is a satisfactory answer, but my stomach sinks, and the moment crashes back to earth. A reminder that she won’t be around forever. My pulse slows, and suddenly the worry that’s been lurking under the surface rises.
Summer taps the menu and says to Silvie, “Do you know what you want?”
Silvie nods. “I’ll have what Jonah’s having. That looks so good.”
“I’ll have the same,” Summer says.
Jonah smiles at me. Wow. She’s good.
“What time does your friend get in?” I ask as I place their orders.
“Wilby got delayed. He’s coming tomorrow instead. So, Summer and I decided to go out to eat and go dancing.”
Summer nods enthusiastically. “We earned it.”
“Cal, can we both have a sex on the beach?” Silvie asks.
Jonah practically chokes on his Coke.
“Sure.” I grin and turn to make them.
I know Jonah’s going to give me crap later. It’ll be worth it.
I busy myself getting drinks for them and helping Marina fill her orders. When I glance over on occasion, Silvie’s eyes trail after me, like she’s tracking me in the bar. I don’t miss it. The connection between us is undeniable. I just don’t know what to think of it. Friends? Potentially more?
No. I shake it off. I can’t be that guy. The one who meets a nicewoman and falls for her, but then she goes back to New York at the end of the summer. I can’t do it.
My world is here in Coconut Beach. Hers is in New York. Period.
If only it were that easy. Nothing is ever that easy.
Silvie meets my eyes again when she sips her straw. I inwardly groan at her mouth wrapped around that straw. There’s a look in her eyes that makes my chest feel tight. My body feels warm. And damn, I wouldn’t mind tasting that mouth of hers. Silvie’s dangerous.
Summer and Silvie eat with Jonah, who I notice lingers longer than he usually does and seems to listen to their conversation, even grunting in response when Silvie includes him. I even hear him tell her about his boat, something I’ve never heard him do. Usually, he eats and leaves.
