Chapter 28
CHAPTER 28
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I pulled another draft from the tap, carefully angling the glass to get the perfect head of foam. The habitual motions helped steady my hands, which had been trembling since last night. Since I’d lost my damned mind and vaulted over all my carefully constructed walls to try to climb Ford like a tree.
“—and then they tossed the whole place!” Wally’s voice cut through my spiraling thoughts. “Papers everywhere, drawers dumped out. Amateur hour, if you ask me.”
“Eight days after they found the body.” Duck stabbed a French fry in the air between each word for emphasis. “What kind of idiot waits that long to search a dead man’s apartment?”
I slid the beer across to a waiting customer, grateful for the distraction of the Gray Beards’ latest theories about David Galef’s murder. Anything to keep my mind off Ford’s hands in my hair, the heat of his body against mine…
“Bet they were looking for money,” Milt declared. “Man like that, working for the fishing company, probably skimming off the top. You know he got let go from O’Connell’s because they thought he was spying for Atlantic. Fishing espionage or some shit.”
“Fishing espionage? What kind of bull pucky is that? Nah, had to be documents,” Cliff countered. “You don’t tear apart furniture looking for cash.”
“Unless the cash was hidden in the furniture,” Duck pointed out.
“What do you think, Bree?” Wally called out. “You’re being awful quiet over there.”
I managed what I hoped was a neutral smile. “Just trying to keep up with the lunch rush, fellas.”
“Speaking of quiet,” Duck leaned forward conspiratorially. “Heard you were over at Ford Donoghue’s place last night.”
I nearly dropped the glass I was holding. Pop shot me a knowing look from his perch at the end of the bar. Recovering quickly, I focused on pulling the next pint. “It wasn’t just me. Willa and Sawyer, Gabi and Daniel, and Mama Flo and Mimi were there, too. Making sure we’re all on the same page about keeping an eye on Peyton with everything going on.”
“Mm-hmm,” Duck hummed skeptically. “That why you’re blushing?”
“That’s enough out of you.” Pop’s stern voice cut off the teasing, and I was grateful.
I grabbed a stack of menus, desperate for something to do with my hands that didn’t involve resisting the urge to trace my still-tingling lips. But even that simple task proved challenging, as flashbacks of the kiss kept hijacking my brain. The tug of Ford’s fingers threading through my hair. The solid warmth of him wrapped around me. The way my breath had hitched as his tongue delved into my mouth… and how I’d so desperately wanted more of him inside me.
I stumbled into an empty chair, the menus scattering across the floor. Sweet Jesus, I needed to get it together. But how was I supposed to function when my body kept replaying every scorching second?
“You okay there, sweetheart?” Duck’s concerned voice yanked me back to reality.
“Fine!” My voice came out embarrassingly squeaky. “Just… clumsy today.”
I gathered the fallen menus, willing my hands to steady. But it was no use. My mind kept circling back to that endless moment before Peyton walked in—Ford’s hips pressing against me, his fingers gripping my ass, his tongue doing wicked things that made me forget every reason I’d spent a decade shutting him out of my life.
If his daughter hadn’t interrupted us… The heat blooming in my cheeks had nothing to do with embarrassment and everything to do with exactly where I imagined those talented hands would have wandered next. Where I’d wanted them to wander next. And I’d have let him. God help me, I’d have let him do any damned thing he pleased because one touch had me ready to beg.
Because I hadn’t learned a damned thing. Ford Donoghue was my personal addiction, and I’d just fallen off the wagon in a big way.
“Maybe you should take a break,” Pop suggested quietly. “Get some air.”
Air. Right. Because what I definitely needed was time alone with my X-rated thoughts about my former best friend and current sexy pain in my ass.
“I’m fine.”
I turned blindly toward the door as it opened again. “Welcome to the Brewhouse!” My voice was entirely too bright, and the faintly amused looks on Lindsay and Astrid’s faces told me they’d noticed. “Oh, hey y’all. Here for lunch?”
Of course, they’re here for lunch. Why the hell else would they be here?
“I need emotional support fish tacos,” Lindsay declared.
At my questioning glance, Astrid explained, “Corbin is back.”
“Ah. So you’ll be needing extra mango salsa and a Corona on the side?”
Lindsay folded her hands into a prayer position. “Pretty please.”
Relieved to have something to do, I nodded. “I got you, girl. Astrid?”
“Burger with the works and sweet potato fries. And a Diet Coke.”
As the Brewhouse was only half full, I waved at the dining room. “Sit wherever you like.”
Heading back to the kitchen, I put in their order with Bonita and went to get their drinks. They’d settled at a table by the window.
“Join us for a few?” Lindsay pleaded. “I need to tell someone about the most humiliating moment of my life, and you make the best sympathetic faces.”
I glanced around the dining room. The lunch crowd was thinning out, and I saw Pop sliding behind the bar. “Sure, I can spare a few minutes.”
I slid into the empty chair, and Lindsay immediately launched into her tale of woe. “So I’m at my desk this morning, right? And I’d gotten there early because I wanted to organize everything before Corbin came in. New boss, first day back, wanted to make a good impression.”
“Unlike high school, when you tried to impress him by falling down the bleachers.”
Lindsay shot Astrid a death glare. “We agreed never to speak of that again.”
Relieved to finally have something to focus on instead of my own situation, I grinned. “What happened this morning?”
“I was practicing what I was going to say. You know, professional small talk. Welcome back, here’s what you missed, that kind of thing.” Lindsay buried her face in her hands. “Except I was saying it out loud. To myself. Complete with different voices and facial expressions.”
“Oh, no.”
“Oh yes. And guess who walked in right as I was doing my best impression of his father?”
I winced. “He didn’t.”
“He did! Standing there in the doorway, watching me make a complete fool of myself.” Lindsay groaned. “I can never show my face there again. I should just move. Maybe join a convent.”
“You’re Methodist,” Astrid pointed out.
“I’ll convert! Anything to avoid having to look him in the eye again.”
I fought back a laugh. “What did he say?”
“He just smiled and said ‘Good morning, Lindsay.’ Like I hadn’t just been caught talking to myself and imitating his family!” She slumped forward, forehead hitting the table with a soft thunk. “Kill me now.”
“I’m sure it wasn’t that bad.” I didn’t sound convincing to my own ears.
From her position on the table, Lindsay’s muffled voice begged, “Subject change, please!”
“We’ve got you, boo.” Astrid patted her on the head and turned her attention to me. “So you’ve made up with Ford, huh?”
I jolted so hard, I nearly fell out of the chair. “What?”
Astrid’s gaze sharpened. “I mean, I just thought you were helping out with his daughter, but that reaction makes me think something else is going on with your new neighbor.”
Get it the fuck together, Cartwright.
“Nothing is going on with Ford.” My brain started the highlight reel of that kiss again. “As you say, I’m just helping with Peyton, because I understand her situation in a way most people don’t. He asked for my expertise, as it were.”
Lindsay smirked. “Is that what they’re calling it these days?”
I rolled my eyes. “Get your mind out of the gutter. Just because you’re crushing on your boss…”
“We agreed on a subject change!”
“Anyway, she’s a really sweet kid. And she’s totally crushing on my dog, so I’m seeing a lot of her.”
“Well, I think it’s really great of you to help him out like this.” Astrid sipped at her Diet Coke. “I’m sure he’s been struggling with the whole single dad thing.”
Nope. I wasn’t biting at that. “He’s stepping up. That’s all anyone can ask. I’m gonna go check on your food.”
Before they could say anything else, I made my escape.
Back behind the bar, I found Pop hunched over what looked like a Xerox copy of old parchment, his reading glasses perched on the end of his nose.
“What’s all this?” I leaned over his shoulder. “Something for Peyton’s paper?”
His eyes sparkled. “Oh, this goes way beyond some school assignment. That little gal’s got a real knack for historical research. We’ve been comparing these old maps to modern ones, and there are some fascinating discrepancies.”
I couldn’t help but smile at his enthusiasm. “So you two are cooking up a treasure hunt?”
“Maybe.” He tapped the weathered paper. “These old sailing routes don’t quite match up with what’s documented. And some of the landmarks…” He trailed off with a secretive grin.
I could’ve told him her map was an artist’s reproduction, but why should I spoil their fun? “You really like her, don’t you?”
“She reminds me of another smart little girl who crashed into my life years ago.” He peered at me over the rims of his glasses. “One who also needed somewhere to belong.”
My throat tightened. “Pop…”
“I see how you look at that girl’s daddy, too.” His voice gentled. “It’s okay to be scared, baby girl. But don’t let fear keep you from something that might be worth the risk.”
“I’m not—” The protest died at his knowing look.
“Bree, honey, I’ve watched you build walls higher than the lighthouse these past ten years. Maybe it’s time to consider letting someone back in.”
I traced my finger along the edge of the map, avoiding Pop’s too-perceptive gaze. “It’s not just about me anymore. Or even Ford. That kid has been through enough without getting caught in the crossfire if things go wrong between us.”
“And if things go right?”
“Pop.” The word came out strangled.
“Look at me, baby girl.”
I lifted my eyes reluctantly to meet his.
“That child already loves you. And unlike the people who left you, Ford came back. He’s trying to do right by his daughter. Maybe it’s time to consider he might do right by you, too.”
My chest ached. “I can’t.”
“Can’t or won’t?”
“Order up!” Bonita’s call saved me from having to decide.
But as I swung to pick up the food, I knew the answer was both.