Chapter 66
Fish fry
"Hey, sista! How's it going tonight?" Daniel greeted his younger sister with a hug and a kiss as she stepped out of her lemonade booth.
"Daniel! Brother, it is crazy tonight! This is actually the first time I haven't had a customer!" Birdie said, leaning in to his hug. Her real name was Bernadette, but as a kid, Daniel couldn't pronounce it, so "Birdie" stuck. Most islanders didn't even know it wasn't her real name.
"You need a drink?" She asked, stepping back into her booth. Daniel was so proud of Birdie. Fish Fry was twice a week, and she'd figured out that not everyone wanted alcohol. She had started the lemonade booth offering only two flavours and now had ten flavours.
"Yes, please! Limeade, if you've got it." Daniel scanned the crowd, his eyes searching for Dustin.
"Of course, I've got it. And no, I haven't seen Marta yet." She laughed as she turned to make his drink.
"What? No! I'm not--" Daniel started, but she cut him off.
"Brother, don't lie to me. You know I know you've been secretly pining for her. Why don't you just ask her out instead of stealing glances when you think no one's watching? Everyone knows you're looking!" Birdie shook her head affectionately.
Sometimes her brother was so clueless. And it wasn't just him; Marta was just as smitten.
Birdie couldn't blame her, though. Objectively, Daniel was a total catch; handsome, smart, and funny.
Women on the island always checked him out, and Birdie had no problem swatting them away with a protective glare.
"No, really, I just saw Marta! I'm on assignment. I need to find Dustin. Have you seen him?" Daniel said, eyes locked on Birdie to show he wasn't dodging the conversation.
She sighed, realizing he was serious. "He was just here a few minutes ago. Grabbed a lemon-limeade and said he was helping his brother at the first fry station with the conch salad." They both glanced down the beach, spotting Dustin chopping ingredients at the booth.
"Perfect! You want me to grab you a salad after I chat with him?" Daniel said, reaching for his wallet to pay for the limeade.
"First off, your money's no good here! And no, I'm fine. I already grabbed one. You know they'll sell out soon." Birdie grinned. Daniel always tried to pay, but she never let him.
"Okay, sista, I'm gonna go talk to him real quick. And hey, can you do me a favour?" Daniel asked as he started to walk away.
"Yes, I'll pass Marta a note asking if she wants to go out with my hunky older brother!" Birdie teased, laughing as Daniel gaped at her.
"NO!" He took a breath. He knew she'd actually do it. "You're a menace, and I'm telling Mom."
"Go ahead, tell Mom! She agrees with me. If you don't ask Marta out soon, she's going to set up blind dates for you!"
Daniel felt his face burn. Did everyone in the family know how he felt about Marta? "You're the worst. I'm leaving this family!" They both laughed, knowing that would never happen. Their family was tight-knit, always looking out for each other.
"Seriously, though," Daniel said, getting back on track, "if Marta comes here first, send her over to me. We've got a bit of a situation going on."
Birdie's playful expression shifted to concern. "Everything okay?"
Daniel smiled to reassure her. "Nothing to worry about, sista. I'll fill you in later. Just need to talk to Dustin real quick. Love you later!" He waved as he walked toward the conch salad booth before she could throw in another cheeky remark.
Birdie watched him go, a bit more serious now. What could be going on that Daniel's whole team needed to coordinate? She shook her head and got back to prepping ingredients, her mind still turning over the strange situation. She knew Daniel would explain everything later.