"It's not something I go around bragging about," Sterling said. "And most people don’t know. However, a few do because it’s not a bad idea to have the right people around to help protect me."
"And what about Doyle? Are you saying he's here to protect you? And I'm confused. I thought he was a Green Beret, not CIA."
"Doesn't mean he's not CIA now. And when the CIA lets someone like me go," Sterling said, "they want to be sure of two things. The first is that I'm not going to turn around and sell what's in my head to the highest bidder. The second is that our enemies aren't going to come and try to take it out of me."
"Are you suggesting that your friend is here to make sure that's not happening?"
"I think that's one possibility."
"He told me at lunch today he runs private security out of Charleston."
Sterling took a gulp of wine. "That's either a cover he's using because he doesn't know which locals in this town are safe andwhich aren't. Or I have it wrong, and he really is just a man on vacation."
She set the wineglass down. "Is there another possibility? Because when you say one, it means there could be more."
"You're very astute."
"It comes with being a bartender." She leaned forward. "I'm asking because you look more intense than usual, and that makes me wonder if I should be worried… about you."
He contemplated for about thirty seconds on what to say. Not telling her his thoughts might mean no kiss, and that would be a buzzkill. Telling her might scare her, but at least he'd be telling her the truth. "He could've been sent to warn me."
"Of what?"
"Of chatter regarding someone wanting what's inside my brain." He tapped his temple. "But I'll know more in the morning."
The breeze off the water came in and lifted the hair on the side of her neck then laid it back down. One song had ended and a new one began. A low, warm tune about a man and a Tennessee whiskey.
She picked up her wine. "For the record," she said, "this is the most interesting first date I've been on in a long time."
He laughed. "I'm not sure how to take that."
"Take it that there's going to be a second."
Sterling smiled. "Now I'm a happy man." He should be. For months, he'd been drooling over her like a dumb teenager. And for months, she’d politely shot him down.
But on the night his boss goes on his honeymoon, she agrees to go on a date? And then the next day Doyle shows up?
Those two things added up to one bad thought—Juniper had been watching him. Which also meant the Aegis Network's background check might not have been enough.
Chapter Four
The one thing Sterling hated more than anything was being paranoid. Having a healthy dose of it, if there was such a thing, came with the job. But currently, his persecution complex involving the woman next to him was overreaching.
He was going to need a delusion check on that one.
"I'm stuffed," Juniper said. "I couldn't eat another bite if I tried."
"No ice cream?"
"You might be able to twist my arm. But only if we walk."
He opened the door from the deck that led inside the restaurant. "That sounds like a lovely plan." He held up his arm and as she placed her hand in his elbow, he noticed Doyle had moved from his table.
He'd observed a lot of things about Doyle during dinner. They'd gotten their food at about the same time. Paid their checks one right after the other. And now Doyle was leaving, too. That made Sterling uncomfortable on a night that was supposed to be about him and Juniper.
The bell over the main door rang two flat notes, and Sterling looked up from Juniper's hand on his arm.
A man stepped into the lobby. That shouldn't bother Sterling. People came and went from the Crab Shack from open ‘til close every day. Locals and tourists.
