Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
JULES
The gritty smell of stale beer and peanut shells hit me as soon as Lacey and I walked into Salty’s Tavern.
I wrinkled my nose, noting the contrast to the polished mahogany and craft beers of Conch Republic, the usual haunt.
Though Tropical Hops was a great hangout, my need to separate my business and leisure personas prevented me from spending my off-duty time there.
So Conch Republic had been our setting for get-togethers for years.
But not tonight.
Eli’s teasing about my nickname made me remember that I liked adventure.
But somewhere along the way, I’d forgotten that.
So I suggested the local dive bar with a dubious reputation for our girls’ night out.
Lacey had paused over the phone, then agreed.
It was dark inside, with old playbills adorning the walls, and plenty of locals were celebrating Friday night.
And my natural caution was seriously considering whacking my adventurous side over the head with a hammer.
“All right, Jules. This place adventurous enough for you?” Lacey grinned, dragging me toward a sticky-looking bar.
“That’s one word for it,” I said, gingerly perching on a barstool. But as I sipped my beer—admittedly pretty good—my shoulders relaxed. The jukebox was playing an old Jimmy Buffett song, and the salty air drifting in from the open windows reminded me why I loved living on Dove Key.
“So.” I turned to Lacey. “Getting excited for the big day?”
Lacey’s smile faltered. “About that… I’ve been thinking. Are we sure about this whole underwater thing? I mean, what if I panic? Or flood my mask? Or—”
“Oh, no.” I groaned. “Lacey, please tell me you’re not getting cold feet. We’ve put so much work into this.”
“Not about marrying Daniel!” Lacey bit her lip. “It’s just, scuba diving isn’t exactly my forte. Maybe we should rethink—”
“Nope.” I cut her off and pointed a stern finger at her. “You are not backing out now. We’ll practice more, okay? Eli can give you some extra lessons if you’re nervous, and you’ll be a pro in no time.”
At the mention of Eli’s name, my traitorous heart gave a little flutter. I pushed the feeling aside, focusing on Lacey. “Trust me, it’ll be beautiful. Daniel will cry manly tears inside his mask when he sees you.”
Lacey laughed, tension easing from her shoulders. “You’re right. I’m just being silly. And hey, if we add another session, that means more time with Eli, right?” She waggled her brows at me.
I gave her a stern stare but couldn’t quite suppress my smile.
As much as I hated to admit it, I was thoroughly enjoying our scuba lessons.
And Eli. He was a patient teacher and watching him glide effortlessly through the pool water was…
distracting, to say the least. We’d had to postpone our next set of classes due to a conflict in Daniel’s schedule, and I hadn’t been able to deny the disappointment I’d felt.
A band strolled onto the makeshift stage in one corner and started tuning their instruments. Lacey glanced around the dark bar and smiled. “This place isn’t so bad. Maybe its reputation isn’t deserved, kind of like a Coleridge?”
I swept my gaze around, taking in the neon beer signs, the worn pool tables, and the eclectic mix of locals. There was something oddly comforting about the bar’s unassuming charm.
“It’s got character,” I replied, tracing a finger through the condensation on my glass. “And sometimes it’s good to step out of your comfort zone, right?”
Lacey nearly choked on her drink. “Who are you and what have you done with Jules?”
I laughed, surprising myself with how genuine it felt. “Hey, I can be spontaneous.”
“Sure, if by spontaneous you mean color-coding your planner instead of alphabetizing it.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but the truth was, she had a point. I’d been so focused on work that I’d let a whole side of my personality fade away. Maybe this change of scenery wasn’t such a bad idea after all.
“I’ll admit, it’s nice to do something different,” I conceded. Then I narrowed my eyes. “But don’t go spreading that around. I have a reputation to maintain.”
“Don’t worry. Your secret’s safe with me. Now, how about we order another round?”
I nodded, and Lacey flagged down the bartender.
On impulse, I ordered a scotch on the rocks as a nod to stepping outside my usual beer or wine.
As I tried not to choke on it, my mind drifted to Eli during our private scuba session.
How he was continually surprising me. The way his humor, which used to irritate me to no end, now relaxed me when I was unsure about a skill.
The way his dark-blue eyes crinkled when he smiled.
How his strong, assured hands had steadied me when I’d wobbled…
“Uh-hmm.” Lacey’s loud throat clearing brought me back. “You’re thinking about him again, aren’t you?”
I straightened, adopting my most professional tone. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Oh please.” Lacey gave me a saucy grin. “You get this dreamy look whenever Eli’s name comes up. It’s cute, really.”
“I do not,” I protested, even as a traitorous blush crept up my neck, and I took another gulp. I was feeling pleasantly buzzed now. “Eli and I have a strictly professional relationship.”
“Uh-huh. And I’m the Queen of England.”
I sighed, knowing I couldn’t fool my best friend. “Fine. I’ll admit he has certain appealing qualities. But nothing’s going to happen. We’re too different, and you know our history.”
Lacey just smiled, a knowing glint in her eye. “I wouldn’t be too sure about that. You two have come a long way these past couple of weeks. And let’s be honest, I’ve seen you checking out his fully certified muscles.”
I exhaled a long sigh, remembering how distracting Eli’s lean body had been. “Okay, yes, he’s attractive. I like how he doesn’t flaunt it, you know? It’s just… there. A side effect of his job, I guess.”
“A very nice side effect.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re impossible.”
Just then, the band struck up a lively tune, the twangy guitar and upbeat drums filling the air. I felt a sudden surge of energy, my body responding to the rhythm before my mind could catch up.
“Let’s dance!” I called out.
Lacey laughed out loud. “Now you’re talking!”
We pushed our way onto the dance floor, the press of bodies and the pulsing beat washing away my usual inhibitions.
And maybe the scotch too. I let my hair down, shaking out my bun and the strands whipping around my face as I moved.
For once, I didn’t care about looking professional or put-together. I just danced.
“Woo!” Lacey cheered, twirling beside me. “Look at you go, girl! Friday night agrees with you.”
The music thrummed through me, and I gave in to the moment, swaying and spinning without a care in the world. Lacey took a step back and a couple stepped between us, then moved on. I closed my eyes, feeling freer than I had in years.
That is, until a pair of unfamiliar hands touched my waist.
“Hey there, beautiful,” a gruff voice said near my ear. “Haven’t seen you here before. How about a dance?”
I stiffened, turning to face a stocky guy with bloodshot eyes and a too-wide grin. The smell of cheap beer wafted off him.
“No, thank you,” I said firmly, putting some distance between us.
He followed, undeterred. “Aw, come on, don’t be like that. Just one dance.”
My good mood evaporated, a crawling sensation of discomfort replacing it. “I said no,” I repeated, louder this time.
The guy’s grin turned ugly. “Playing hard to get, huh? I like that.”
He reached for me again, and I dodged, my heart racing. Where was Lacey? I scanned the crowd, panic starting to set in, but I couldn’t see her.
“Look, asshole,” I snapped, trying the direct route. “Back the hell off before I make you regret it.”
A tall figure materialized between us, broad shoulders blocking the creep from my view as he knocked the guy’s arms away from me.
“I believe the lady said no.” Eli’s voice rang out, low and dangerous.
I’d never heard that tone from him before, and it made me blink twice. Gone was the easygoing charm, steel-edged assertiveness in its place. A ripple ran down my spine that had nothing to do with fear.
The guy sneered, puffing out his chest. “This ain’t your business, pretty boy. Why don’t you piss off?”
Eli didn’t budge. “I’m making it my business. Now back away before things get ugly.”
“Or what?” the creep taunted, shoving Eli’s shoulder.
In a lightning-fast move, Eli grabbed the guy’s wrist and twisted it behind his back. The man yelped as Eli towered over him.
“Or I’ll break your goddamn arm,” Eli growled. “Now apologize to the lady and get lost.”
“Okay, okay!” the guy whimpered. “I’m sorry! Jesus, let go!”
Eli released him, and the asshole scrambled away, shooting us a venomous glare.
I stared at Eli, my heart pounding for an entirely different reason now. Where had this protective side come from? And why did my body like it so much?
“You okay?” Eli asked, his voice softening slightly as he turned to me.
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. All I could think was how different Eli looked in that moment—dangerous and compelling in a way that made a pulsing, hot wave roll through my core.
“Thanks,” I finally managed. “I had it under control, but… I appreciate the backup.”
Eli’s lips rose in a half-smile and just like that, the Eli I knew was back. “Anytime. Can’t have some drunken idiot ruining ladies’ night, right?”
I laughed, the tension breaking. “Right. My hero.”
Lacey sidled up to us, her eyes darting between Eli and me with undisguised interest. “Well, that was quite the show.” A sly grin spread across her face. “You two make quite the team.”
Heat flashed across my face, and I avoided Eli’s gaze. “It was nothing.”
“Mm-hmm,” Lacey hummed. She checked her phone and yawned dramatically, patting her mouth with one hand. “You know, I think I’m going to call it a night. Early morning tomorrow.”
I narrowed my eyes at her. “It’s barely nine, Lace.”
She shrugged, already adjusting her purse. “Beauty sleep is important when you’re the bride. You don’t mind walking home, do you? It’s only a few blocks. I know you’d prefer to walk under the lovely night sky than huddle in my car, anyway. You two have fun!”
“Lacey, what are you—”
Then she gave us a salute. “Nighty night, folks.” With a wink that was about as subtle as a foghorn, she sashayed toward the exit, leaving me alone with Eli.