Chapter 2
Isit in Rusty, my faithful but slightly wheezy Toyota Tacoma, with Neptune riding shotgun. He’s staring at me with those patient brown eyes, tongue lolling as if he’s perfectly content to let me figure things out.
“Alright, Neptune,” I say, scrolling through my phone. “Let’s see what’s open.”
Surprise, surprise—absolutely everything is closed.
“What is this?” I mutter. “I knew it was a small town, but come on. It’s just after eight.”
I search for pizza. Closed. Chinese. Closed. Fast food? Not a single golden arch in sight.
I sigh and start driving, heading toward the closest gas station Google Maps can find. A Shell station, supposedly open until nine. It’s already dark outside, the last light of the day long gone, but I hold on to a little bit of hope.
We pull in, and my heart sinks. The lights are out, and the door is locked tight.
“You’re going to have to share your food with me, Neps,” I say, glancing over at him. He lets out a soft “aoo” sound, the canine equivalent of a resigned sigh.
“Yeah,” I say, patting his head. “I know, bud.”
I keep driving, winding through town. We pass the smallest harbor in the world. A few people walk along the bay, but every single shop is dark.
Just when I think I’ll have to eat the emergency granola bar that’s been living in my backpack since college, I see a small grocery store on the right. The lights are on.
“Bingo,” I say, relief flooding through me as I pull into the lot. I park, jump out of the truck, and head for the door.
Locked.
I rattle the handle, hoping it will magically open. Neptune watches me from the passenger seat, head tilted, clearly trying to figure out why his human is broken.
“Of course,” I say, rolling my eyes.
I get back in Rusty and start driving again, the road winding through tall, dark trees that close in around the road.
After driving for a couple of miles, I’m starting to lose hope when I finally spot a grocery store and practically shout, “Yes!” a little more desperately than I’d like to admit.
I drive into the lot, but the lights are off.
“Seriously?” I groan.
An older woman wearing a brown apron spots me and walks over to my window. I roll it down as she approaches, and she gives me a sympathetic smile.
“I’m sorry, baby,” she says. “Our lights are out. We’re closing early tonight.”
“Do you know if there’s anywhere else open? I just need… water and some snacks.” The weight of the day settles on my shoulders.
She shakes her head. “The only thing you’ll find open is the Circle K about six miles north. It’s on the right, you can’t miss it.”
“Thank you.” I manage a tired smile.
She waves me off, and I head back on the road, determined to find something—anything—to eat tonight. Neptune’s head is resting on the window, his breath fogging the glass.
“Don’t worry, Neps,” I murmur. “We’ll go home soon.”
I drive the six miles north and find the smallest Circle K I’ve ever seen. Four pumps, a tiny building—but the lights are on, and I see a guy behind the register.
“Yes!” I exclaim, practically hugging Neptune. He licks my cheek in response, tail thumping the seat.
“Okay, Neps, wish me luck.”
I get out of the truck and head for the store, the bell above the door jingling as I step inside. The place is empty except for the cashier, a guy with sandy hair and a worn baseball cap.
“Evening.” He gives me a tired but friendly smile.
“Hi.”
I start browsing through the few aisles, scanning the meager snack options. A pack of beef jerky here, some stale crackers there. I find a bowl of five-minute noodles and a bag of spicy chips and figure that’ll have to do.
Then the bell above the door jingles again.
“Hey Collin, how’s it goin’?” a male voice asks, his thick musical Irish accent catching me off guard.
“Hey Finn,” Collin, the cashier, calls out.
I glance up just in time to see the man in the doorway—tall, broad-shouldered, wearing a blue uniform that hugs his frame just right. He’s handsome in that rugged, I-can-build-a-house-and-then-set-it-on-fire sort of way, with messy brown hair and a grin that could melt glaciers.
“Aye.” He flashes me a smile as he passes, his eyes lingering just long enough to make it clear he’s checking me out.
I duck my head and pretend to study the noodle shelf like it’s the most fascinating thing I’ve ever seen.
I wander over to the refrigerated section, torn between a cola and an orange drink. My hand hovers as Collin comes around the corner.
“Can I help you find anything?”
I smile, holding up the noodles and chips. “No, thanks. Just trying to figure out dinner.”
“New to town?”
“Brand new,” I respond with a small nervous laugh.
“Ah. Well, you picked a tough time to get hungry.” He lifts his arms slightly, motioning around the store. “After eight, this is pretty much it.”
“Seriously?”
He chuckles. “Yep. The closest open gas station is the other Circle K in Newport.”
I raise an eyebrow at him. “That’s like twenty miles away.”
“Twenty-five.” He flashes a grin before walking away.
I sigh and grab the cola. I add a large bottle of water and head for the register.
I look out the window to check on Neptune. He is still sitting on the passenger seat, looking every bit the loyal guard dog he is. When he sees me, his tongue rolls out of his mouth. I smile back at him.
I set my items on the counter, and Collin quickly rings them up.
“That’ll be $17.89.”
He starts putting everything into a plastic bag.
“No thanks.” I shake my head. “I don’t do plastic. I’m good.”
“Suit yourself.” He hands me the receipt.
“Thanks.” I pick up my items, turn to leave—and smack right into a wall.
Except it’s not a wall. It’s the guy in uniform, Finn.
He’s over a foot taller than me, all broad shoulders and that grin again.
“Excuse me,” I say, feeling heat rush to my cheeks.
“Aye, lass.” He grins, and my knees feel like seafoam. “Would you like some help?”
I look up at him, my heart tripping over itself. “I’d rather not.”
I step around him and practically flee the store.
I rush back to Rusty, Neptune still standing guard.
My hands shake as I load the snacks into the passenger seat. God, he’s handsome. And that accent… it did things to my insides I was not prepared for.
I start the truck and pull out of the parking lot. As I drive past the store, I glance up to find Finn still watching me through the window, that same grin on his face.
Which is a problem… because I kind of like it.