Page 8 of Catch and Release

Shawn’s phone buzzed as he locked up the bait shop. He pulled it out, saw it was Tucker, and sighed.

“Hey, Tuck,” Shawn answered the phone, forcing his tone to sound chipper.

“Hey, Shawn. Wanna come over for dinner tonight?”

Shawn unlocked his truck and got in the car. Of course, Tucker had timed this call right when he knew Shawn would be heading home for the day.

Before he could answer, Tucker added, “I’m making those crab cakes you like. And Hanna’s dying to see you. We miss you.”

Guilt panged through Shawn’s chest. He knew he was being a bad friend, but he couldn’t find it in him to say yes.

“Promised Grams I’d help her with some stuff tonight,” Shawn lied. “Rain check?”

He heard Tucker exhale through the phone.

“You sure she won’t let us steal you for one night?” Tucker asked, then joked, “We’ll have you home before curfew.”

“Sorry, man. I can’t tonight. But thanks for calling.”

They said their goodbyes, and Shawn leaned his head forward against the steering wheel.

He was a shitty friend.

He wasn’t denying it.

But fuck.

It had gotten hard to be around Tucker and Hanna.

Shawn took a deep breath and started his car, letting his thoughts run amok.

He loved them both—they were like family to him, even though he hadn’t seen them in months. He and his best friend used to be attached at the hip—used to go to the club every weekend and crash at each other’s places after a wild night out. They’d grown up together. Shawn was the one who had encouraged Tucker to go to culinary school—he even offered to help pay for it when it looked like Tucker might not be able to. And he was there at the opening night of Tucker’s restaurant, Fish Food.

But then, Tucker met Hanna.

Hanna—a kindergarten teacher with tiny tattoos all over her fair-skinned arms, dark brown hair, and a penchant for ending up in awkward situations. Hanna had immediately fit into their little group. She and Shawn hit it off instantly, even though back when he met her, he was an unapologetic playboy and didn’t bother to hide it. Hanna, of course, saw right through Shawn in a way that unnerved him, but also made him immediately respect her. The three of them were inseparable—a dynamic trio of sorts.

Shawn was their best man and only witness at the quick, courthouse wedding they had a couple of years ago. But since then, it just felt like there wasn’t enough room in Tucker’s life for Shawn—at least, not the way there used to be.

Shawn didn’t begrudge Tucker for it—or Hanna, for that matter.

He knew it was more than that.

Knew that, at the root of it, he was jealous.

He’d grown up in the years since they got married. Stopped sleeping with tourists. Started trying to date.

Problem was, the dating pool was tough. His grandmother had set him up on enough terrible first dates that he was about ready to throw in the towel.

His mind drifted to the pretty redhead who put him in his place earlier. That was the kind of girl he wanted—strong and stubborn and sexy to boot.

He shook his head.

Stupid.

It was stupid to think he’d ever see her again after today, and even more stupid to daydream about someone he didn’t even know.

His heart ached with longing.