Chapter 10
Cal
The bar isn’t so busy at the moment. It’s that sweet spot between dinner and chaos where the glasses clink, and I can catch up.
I’m behind the counter at Cocktails & Chaos, wiping down the counter that’s already clean.
It’s a habit and something I do to stay busy and listen to what’s going on around me.
My hands know this place by heart. But my head is somewhere else. I’m thinking about Silvie.
Surfing with her started out innocent enough, but as our morning together waned on, I felt myself hanging on her every word. Revealing parts of me while learning parts of her was intimate. Her ex is a grade-A douchebag, and I meant every word about her being wife material.
I just wish I was thinking about her as wife material, generally speaking, and not as wife material for me. My heart thuds a little too hard in my chest and I rub absently at it.
Jonah sits at the bar with fish tacos, a plate of fries with aioli sauce, and his usual Coke.
Jonah’s not one to drink, even though he ironically owns the most popular bar on the island.
He’s never said why, and most people know little about Jonah.
The man’s a quiet guy who doesn’t let many people in.
He comes in for dinner a few times a week.
I think it’s more about having the limited social interaction he craves but won’t admit to as the unofficial town grump.
“You seem distracted,” Jonah says, not looking at me as he takes a bite of his food.
He has no idea. I’m distracted by one thing. She plagues my mind and haunts my dreams. It’s getting ridiculous.
“I’m working,” I say, evading the truth. “I’m focused.”
He snorts. “You’ve been polishing the same spot. You’re going to wear a hole in the counter.”
I move the rag a few inches. “Happy?”
He takes a sip of his Coke. “I saw you surfing with the pretty blonde. Looked like you two were having fun.”
I pause just long enough to give myself away. “You stalking me now, old man?”
“Hard to miss,” he says with a smirk. “Whole town probably has a wager on you and the pretty blonde.”
I huff. “She has a name.”
“I bet she does.” Jonah grins, provoking me. “Hot bartender.”
He says this, then throws his head back and laughs.
I roll my eyes playfully.
This is how we interact. We give each other shit constantly, and it’s fun.
“I heard that you got mooned by the Bees the other day.”
Jonah rolls his eyes. “Weirdos.”
I laugh at that and turn around when I see a group of people walk in and take a seat. Marina nods and hurries over to take their order.
Summer and Silvie roll in together, laughing and chattering happily.
Oh, man. Jonah’s going to love this. More ammo.
They’re wearing bright summer dresses. Silvie’s in a fitted pink dress that should be illegal.
Her shapely, tanned legs are in strappy sandals.
Those legs go on forever. Toned and strong.
For a second, my mind betrays me, and I picture her legs wrapped around my waist. I swallow and close my eyes, shaking my head as if I can physically knock these thoughts away.
Get it together, man.
Summer and Silvie have bright pink hibiscus flowers tucked behind their ears, their sun kissed skin bright and glowing. Silvie spots me and waves, clearly happy to see me. Summer whispers something to her and Silvie gives her a smirk.
“Hi, Cal!” Silvie calls as she makes her way over, Summer beside her.
“Hi, ladies.” I smile. I can’t help it. I’m happy to see Silvie.
“Hi, Cal,” Summer says as she slides onto a stool. Silvie sits on the one next to Jonah. He glances sideways, eyebrow lifting like he’s watching a movie play out.
I grab the menus, hand them over, and set out drink napkins. My hands need something to do because she’s here and I feel like I’ve just gotten caught thinking about her.
“Mmmm, I’m starving,” Summer croons. “I taught two classes today. I need food.”
“Glad I could catch your afternoon class,” Silvie murmurs appreciatively. “It was a good one.”
My brain short circuits when I imagine her doing her yoga poses in the dress she’s wearing now. I’m losing my mind.
“Jonah,” I say, clearing my throat and nodding between them. “This is Silvie. Silvie, this is Jonah. He owns the bar.”
I don’t know why I put that last part in. I’ve talked about Jonah enough that I think she would put two and two together. Hell, I’m nervous. And Jonah knows this, which he is no doubt finding amusing right now.
“Oh,” she says, eyes widening. She turns and reaches out and gives him a side hug, like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
Jonah freezes. Because no one hugs Jonah. He looks like a statue, and his eyes flick to me like he’s wondering what is happening right now.
Silvie pulls back and talks to him as if they’ve known each other forever. I’m entranced and can’t stop watching them.
“I just love your bar,” Silvie says, bright and sincere. “And Cal speaks so highly of you. It’s so nice to finally meet you. I heard you have a boat?”
Jonah clears his throat and sits up straighter. “I do.”
Summer watches all of this with fascination. She studies the menu, looks at me, and grins knowingly.
I watch this exchange with absolute fascination as well. Wow. Did she just charm our town grump?
I watch her lay her hand on his arm and laugh at something he says, and I see Jonah smirk under his big bushy beard.
Holy shit. She did.
Of course she did. She’s sunshine personified.
This pleases me for some reason. Like she just passed a test I didn’t know I’d given her. More proof in the “wife material” department? I inwardly cringe because I don’t do this. I don’t get smitten.
But neither does Jonah, and he’s just as charmed by her.
I get Jonah’s dumbstruck look. I know exactly why he’s frozen. I’ve been caught like this before, and it’s impossible to resist her.
Dangerous. This woman is dangerous to my heart.
I notice Jonah relaxes by a fraction. “Are you visiting long?”
Watching Jonah’s cheeks blush whilst making small talk has got to be one of the highlights of my evening.
“For the summer,” Silvie says. “I love it here. I never want to leave.”
Jonah nods as if this is a satisfactory answer, but my stomach sinks, and the moment crashes back to earth. A reminder that she won’t be around forever. My pulse slows, and suddenly the worry that’s been lurking under the surface rises.
Summer taps the menu and says to Silvie, “Do you know what you want?”
Silvie nods. “I’ll have what Jonah’s having. That looks so good.”
“I’ll have the same,” Summer says.
Jonah smiles at me. Wow. She’s good.
“What time does your friend get in?” I ask as I place their orders.
“Wilby got delayed. He’s coming tomorrow instead. So, Summer and I decided to go out to eat and go dancing.”
Summer nods enthusiastically. “We earned it.”
“Cal, can we both have a sex on the beach?” Silvie asks.
Jonah practically chokes on his Coke.
“Sure.” I grin and turn to make them.
I know Jonah’s going to give me crap later. It’ll be worth it.
I busy myself getting drinks for them and helping Marina fill her orders. When I glance over on occasion, Silvie’s eyes trail after me, like she’s tracking me in the bar. I don’t miss it. The connection between us is undeniable. I just don’t know what to think of it. Friends? Potentially more?
No. I shake it off. I can’t be that guy. The one who meets a nice woman and falls for her, but then she goes back to New York at the end of the summer. I can’t do it.
My world is here in Coconut Beach. Hers is in New York. Period.
If only it were that easy. Nothing is ever that easy.
Silvie meets my eyes again when she sips her straw. I inwardly groan at her mouth wrapped around that straw. There’s a look in her eyes that makes my chest feel tight. My body feels warm. And damn, I wouldn’t mind tasting that mouth of hers. Silvie’s dangerous.
Summer and Silvie eat with Jonah, who I notice lingers longer than he usually does and seems to listen to their conversation, even grunting in response when Silvie includes him. I even hear him tell her about his boat, something I’ve never heard him do. Usually, he eats and leaves.
Later, they say goodbye, and when Silvie hugs Jonah again, he pats her back. Summer and Silvie then head to the dance floor, and music swells through the bar. Laughter follows them like a trail, and eyes in the bar lock on them as well. I hate that. I don’t want anyone looking at Silvie.
I turn back to Jonah, who’s watching me watch them. He grins, slowly and knowing.
“Stop it,” I murmur.
“This one’s different,” he says.
“No, she’s not,” I say dryly.
But she totally is. I can’t deny it. I have no idea what’s happening here. I’m rejecting all of these feelings, but they’re still coming at me head-on like a freight train.
I wipe the bar and pretend everything is fine.
Jonah stands to leave, laying down bills even though it’s his own bar. “You gonna keep pretending or are you going to let yourself live a little?”
“I live plenty,” I argue.
He arches a brow. “You surf at dawn, work the bar, take care of your momma. You do that rinse and repeat. That’s not living, son.”
I don’t answer because I don’t know what to say. The music shifts, and Silvie’s intoxicating laugh fills the air. She tips her head back, dancing, that flower behind her ear, bouncing with her movement. They spin, and both laugh as they sing along to a popular beach song.
“Don’t be stupid,” Jonah says as he takes off.
Too late.