It’s early when I return to Seaside, and I’m starving. I’ve just flown a red eye, getting Riggs to PDX and myself back to Seaside. I’m tired, cranky, and in desperate need of food at this hour.
Not in the mood to cook, I pull into the diner shortly after it opens. True to form, there are already cars filling the parking lot. As I back my truck into a spot for an easy escape route, I think I see Jack Murdock’s truck over to the side. I wonder if I’ll see Ryan this morning, too. Ryan’s less apt to stop in because he likes to help Lanie with the kids most mornings, but since it’s summer, he might let them sleep in.
As the bell jingles above the door to signal my entrance, Martha greets me with a welcoming smile. “Well, look who the cat dragged in. Haven’t seen you around lately.”
“Just got back into town,” I grumble.
“Want the usual?” she asks, walking me to a booth in the back corner of her section.
“Sure. A bacon and cheese omelet with a side of sourdough toast will hit the spot,” I reply, rubbing my stomach. I can’t wait for that coffee she’ll bring to wash it down. There’s no way I’ll make it through the day without it.
As I pass by a booth filled with older men, I swear I’m hallucinating when I hear Faye’s voice call out, “Mark?”
Turning around, I come face-to-face with the most gorgeous woman on the planet. Mouth gaping and wide-eyed, her deep blue eyes stare at me as if she, too, is in disbelief and doesn’t trust I’m actually standing here in front of her.
Without hesitation, I swoop her into my arms and crash my lips on hers.
She tastes like heaven and home all wrapped into one.
The moment she links her arms around my neck and kisses me back, everything is right in my world. I instantly feel complete. My sour mood evaporates on the spot, and my only need is the woman in my arms.
Eventually, a loud throat clearing brings me back to reality.
Fuck, we’re in public, and I completely devoured her like a tall glass of water on a hot summer day.
Reluctantly, I let Faye go, only to hear a familiar man’s deep voice deadpan, “I thought something had been off with you lately; now I know why.”
Reaching for her hand, I turn to face not only Jack and Ryan Murdock, but her dad, Mr. Ames. They’re all seated in the booth next to us. Each with a different shocked expression on their face.
Well, shit. The cat’s out of the bag now.
As I stiffen my shoulders and look them each in the eye, Faye awkwardly lets go of my hand and feigns excitement by using freaking jazz hands to announce, “Surprise. Mark’s back in town… And well… obviously, we’ve reconnected.”
Ryan’s eyes widen, and his brows nearly lift off his face, but I’ll give the guy credit; he doesn’t say anything.
To her dad, she says, “Guess who moved in next door and has been doing all those renovations?”
“You don’t say,” her dad guffaws, as his hand slaps the table in front of him.
Reaching out for his hand to shake, I finally remember my manners. “It’s good to see you, Mr. Ames.”
From the corner of my eye, I catch Ryan covering his mouth and his shoulders shake in silent laughter.
Oh, how the tables have turned.
Ryan was nervous as fuck around me the first time we met, and now, he’s watching my grown ass squirm like he did, until he learned I meant him no harm.
Shaking my hand stiffly, Mr. Ames smirks. “What… I don’t get a greeting like that? I have to say, Faye, this guy sure knows how to put on a show. I think he made sweet Martha blush with a kiss like that.”
Kill. Me. Now.
Ryan finally loses all hope of having any control and audibly rocks with laughter at my expense. His dad is doing the best he can to hold back his amusement but fails miserably, as well.
“Dad,” Faye admonishes and swats at his arm. “Behave.”
“I wasn’t the one putting the moves on my baby girl in public. Serves him right to be in the hot seat. Just how long has this been going on?”
Before she can respond, Martha interjects, “Do you want me to bring your food to this table, Casanova?”
