Page 48 of His Little Devil
Stopping, I turn around to see if I can spot anyone. It's barely noon, so the only ones around are some teenagers holding surfboards and a few women unloading groceries from a Jeep.
Shaking off the feeling, I continue down the sidewalk and cross the street to the sandy beach.
As I enter the bar, Kalee gives me a big smile and I head her way, claiming a stool. Frank is there, reading the paper with a plate of fish and chips in front of him.
“Hey, how's the catch of the day today,” I greet him, then gently pat him on the back. He complained that I was too strong last time.
“Delicious as always. Marge is in the kitchen today, and she knows her way around a beer batter,” he jokes.
Kalee grabs a notepad and pen, then comes up to me. She's the epitome of a beach babe, and I wish that I could flirt with her.
Ask her to dinner, but she's not the one my heart aches for.
“What can I get for you today, handsome?”
I nod toward Frank’s plate. “I'll have what he's having, plus a beer and a shot of something strong.”
Jotting it down, she gives me a wink, then heads for the kitchen to give Marge my order.
“That girl thinks you're the bee's knees, son. You better let her down gently,” Frank warns me and I groan, rubbing my face.
I’m scratchy. When was the last time I shaved? I'll have to do a trim spell when I get back to the bungalow.
“I know, Frank, but is it bad that I like the attention? Nothing will ever come from it, but it's nice to be wanted every now and then. Especially when dealing with a broken heart.”
Frank laughs, and shakes his head. “My boy, you're still young. There will be many more fish swimming by. Just don't let a shark swim up and steal them. If you catch my drift.”
Tossing some cash onto the bar, he grabs his plate, paper, and beer, then walks off down the beach.
He's a weird one, but harmless, though his analogies always have a fish reference and confuse the fuck out of me.
Kalee returns with my food and my drinks.
I toss back the shot and wave my hand for another as I take a few fries and dip them into the lemon tartar sauce they make here.
It's not long before my plate is empty, and I'm buzzed.
I don’t know how many drinks Kalee has served me, but I’m not done. She places another beer in front of me with a wink.
“Thanks, babe. Keep them coming,” I say, then stand to pull some money out of my pocket. I slump back onto the bar stool on the beach, and toss her the cash.
She gives me another smile, but I ignore her advances.
I still can't stomach someone who isn’t my girl. The one with the metallic eyes and curvy body.
The one who can disarm me with a smile… The one who left me and is marrying the wrong person tomorrow.
I feel like absolute shit, but the alcohol is numbing some of the pain.
I feel her before she enters the bar, and I groan. She shouldn’t be here. Her mom is going to kill me.
Myah has today off, and they were going shopping to get some things for when we head back to Salem next week.
Mylie sits next to me on the stool, giving me a glare. Sighing, I toss my sunglasses onto the bar and turn to face the feisty seven-year-old. Hands on her hips, her dark hair in pigtails, I can’t stop my lip from twitching. She’s too cute.
I mean it makes sense we are related after all.
I imagine if Silver and I ever had a daughter, she would look similar, and with that thought, my chest tightens and I take a deep breath.