Page 81 of Sand in My Boots

With a light touch, a hand lands on mine. I look up into sympathetic eyes from the wife.

“It’s okay. It’ll stay between us.”

“And we don’t need to be comped anything. It’s nice of you to offer, but it’s not a big deal. We won’t be complaining to the higher-ups about this minor mishap.”

While his voice is reassuring, I blurt, “I am the higher-up.”

“Oh. My bad.” It’s Jackson’s turn to be slightly embarrassed, but his comment helps diffuse the situation. He scratches his head. “One question though.”

“Shoot.”

He contemplates what to say, how to ask whatever question piques his interest at the moment. “Should we be concerned that you go around kissing all the female guests?”

“Jackson,” the wife hisses, slapping his chest harder than before. Those sympathetic eyes now bear a hint of worry. “Please excuse his behavior. He sometimes forgets his manners.”

I’m not sure why I feel so at ease with these two. Must be the laid-back vibe they give off.

“I can assure you I don’t make a habit of kissing guests. Heck, come to think of it, I’m not sure she’s a guest here.” I blame my erratic behavior on the shock of seeing her, which gave me no time to find out why she’s here. Maybe she’s not here to see me. Maybe she’s here to see Preston.

Like greased lightning, the man is out of his chair, stalking over to where Juli stands talking to Keoni. My eyes stay trained on the three of them, Jackson offering his hand out to Juli. Juli’s face is beet red, and as much as I want to save her, I can’t risk another outburst. Not in front of these same guests.

“What’s he doing?” I mumble.

“Best guess, inviting her to our table to figure out what the deal is between you two.” The observation has my head whipping around. “If he has his way, you’ll be adding two more guests to the reservation.”

I don’t know how to make sense of what she’s telling me, but sure enough, not a minute later, Jackson and Juli are walking over to our table. Juli’s a deer in headlights, her feet dragging slowly as if through mud.

“Evs, this is Juli. Juli, my wife Everly.”

Everly snakes a hand out to shake, which Juli takes suspiciously. “Ni-nice to meet you,” she stammers.

“Same. I apologize for my husband’s behavior. I’ve tried training him, but sometimes he’s worse than all three of our children when he wants something.”

Nervous laughter bubbles up around us. Jackson pulls out the empty chair, motioning for Juli to sit. Awkwardly, she takes a seat, perched on the edge.

“Relax. We’re all friends here,” Jackson affirms breezily. “Cameron here was finishing up our boat trip reservation before explaining the deal with the two of you.”

My gaze finds Juli’s. “The part about the boat is true. I had no plans to discuss our relationship with them. I swear.”

She nods curtly, though I can’t tell if she believes me. And with my behavior minutes ago, why should she? I gave her no chance to explain why she’s here. Nope, I assaulted her with my mouth as if I owned her.

Shoot me now.

“Jacks, maybe you should let this one go. Cameron can finish up our reservation, and we’ll get out of their hair. Let them figure out what they need to without an audience.”

“Not my style, and you know it, sweets.”

I shouldn’t be entertaining any of this. He’s a guest. He doesn’t have this hold over me. Yet, there’s something about him that has me wanting to spill my story. To explain my behavior more thoroughly. To uphold my reputation.

Before I can do that, Preston paces over to the table. “Juliana! I didn’t realize you were coming. Again.” His disdain noted, he scoops her into his arms. A pink hue coats Juli’s face. Not sure what she has to be embarrassed about.

“Please tell me this isn’t like a love triangle thing.” All our attention diverts to Jackson.

Face even redder now, Juli yelps. “He’s my brother.”

Jackson puffs out a breath. “Thank goodness. Didn’t want this to get more complicated.”

Everly stands up. “Seriously, Jackson Smith. I can’t take you anywhere.” Her foot taps impatiently as she waits for him to make a move. He only does so reluctantly when no one else gives him anything.