Chapter 17 #2
“Yeah, and you stink of fish all the time.” Tally pinches her nose with her finger and waves a hand in front of her face, but I can see a smile tugging at her lips, making me want to laugh. I try to keep a straight face, but the corners of my mouth pull up.
Mac puts up an arm and takes a deep sniff from his armpit. “That’s the odor of the sea.”
I can’t help but burst into laughter, and Tally joins me just as the door to the restaurant swings open with a cheerful ding, announcing new patrons.
“Showtime,” Tally whispers as she walks away but not before squeezing my underarm.
Hunter and Lio are standing at the entrance, patiently waiting to be seated. I turn to Mac again, confident that Tally can handle those two on her own.
“A houseboat sounds nice. Do you stay in the harbor with it, or do you travel anywhere?” I ask him, genuinely curious.
He chuckles and replies, “If you’d seen that boat, you’d know why it’s a funny question. Shannon, Tally’s mom, always said I’ll die in it one day because it’ll give out from under me and sink while I’m in bed asleep, but I can’t imagine a better way to go.”
Just as he says it, I feel a chill run down my neck, and Shannon chimes in from my left, “Damn right, you will. That boat only floats out of pure spite.”
A shudder goes through me at the thought of it. I feel that in my bones. Van-essa could spontaneously combust with me inside her any day now.
“That’s a disturbing image and a pity,” I reply. “I’ve heard that Lubec is an amazing place for whale watching, just a few miles out to sea. I want to do that before I leave.”
I feel Shannon’s eyes on me, but I don’t take my gaze off Mac’s.
I can feel her mistrust mixed with curiosity, and I don’t want to give her any more indications that I can see her.
I can’t have her harass me every day at work, pressuring me to talk to Tally, having a reading for her.
When I start talking to her, chances are I will forget myself and act strange in front of the others, making them think I’m weird.
Crazy.
I shudder at the thought.
I’m never going to do that again.
“Well, there are some tour guides here that offer that kind of trip,” Mac says with a nonchalant shrug.
“Sure, because I should put my last money into a whale-watching excursion.” I let out a scoffing chuckle, taking a napkin from the stack beside me and folding it absentmindedly.
Mac reaches out a big hand and nudges my chin with his finger so that I look at him, before he retreats again. “Everything will be all right, Mouse. You’re gonna see your whales,” he reassures me before turning and walking over to the sink to wash his hands before returning to work.
“Your presence is requested,” Tally whispers from behind me, and I turn to frown at her.
“What?” I ask, looking around her to Hunter and Lio, who are sitting at a table, both smiling and watching me.
“They just want you,” Tally tells me with a teasing tone, handing me two menus.
“Hunter is one of the most sought-after bachelors here, and it looks like you’ve caught his eye,” she whispers as she steps closer to me.
“I know he’s a big guy, but he’s honestly the best, so don’t prioritize looks over personality. ”
What? Hunter is like a handsome teddy bear.
From what I can see, he has both looks and personality.
But even if I wanted to, I can’t go there.
“I slept with his little brother,” I whisper.
Tally jerks back and looks at me with wide eyes. “Does he know that?”
“Yep,” I admit, cringing at the memory of that awkward morning in his kitchen.
“Well, this just got ten times more interesting.” Tally giggles without a hint of shame when I glare at her. “Go on,” she teases, wiggling her eyebrows at me. “Get your second Jones. Maybe you can make a hat trick before you leave.”
I want to retort, but she gives me a gentle shove forward, so I reluctantly walk over to the table, where I’m greeted with even brighter smiles. “What can I—” I begin, but Lio interrupts me.
“We got you a job,” he announces, sounding proud of himself.
My eyebrows shoot up to my hairline. “You did?” I look over at Hunter, unsure if Lio is just rambling.
“We did,” Hunter confirms with a smile. “You start tomorrow as our new boat mechanic.”
“Nah-uh. Not gonna happen, Mr. Jones…” I nearly spit out his name, “… made it loud and clear that he doesn’t want me there.”
“Well, North can go fu—” Hunter starts, his face contorted in frustration, but he catches himself mid sentence, turning to Lio. “North and I had a constructive discussion and came to the conclusion that we would very much like to have you as our new mechanic.”
I laugh at how wrong that sounds. “He wants me there?” I ask, aware of the real answer to that question.
“He has to live with it because I want you there,” Hunter states, his tone soft, and I can’t help but feel a flutter in my chest at his words.
Stop that shit right now, Sloan.
“I don’t think I should…” I begin but trail off, my gaze wandering to the window where I can see my van parked outside.
I fucking need that money.
Sooner rather than later.
It’s what I wanted in the first place. I can deal with Satan. I’ve dealt with a lot worse. It’s the best chance I have to get everything fixed soon. I bet he sits in his office all day, not around the regular folks he reigns over. He’ll probably watch me, but I can tune him out.
I can do this.