She laughs. “Something like that.”
“Oh, jeez.” I shake my head. “It’s a good thing you know all the police officers in this town.”
She shrugs. “If they ticket me, I’ll just get the money back from them. I work on all their personal vehicles.”
I snort. “Nice plan. I didn’t think of that.”
A minute later, she turns into The Sand Bar’s lot and finds a parking space right near the entrance. It’s uncanny how often this happens when Willow is driving. I’ve learned not to cast doubt on her front-row-parking abilities. She’s clearly got some mojo going on that I lack. If I’d driven us here, we’d be circling the lot, looking for a space, for ten minutes straight.
As we walk to the entrance, the scent of salt water combined with seaweed is strong in the air. I hear the sound of the high tide pounding against the shore.
“Sounds like a rough one,” Willow says.
“Smells like it too.” I wonder what the beach will look like in the morning. Sometimes the powerful current stirs up the rocks and pebbles on the ocean floor, and they get left behind on the sand. I like to think of them as a reminder the beach belongs to the sea, and while we get to enjoy it, it’ll never truly be ours.
When we enter the bar, Nina raises her hand, flagging us down. She’s at a table with the four Thorne brothers. My eyes immediately zero in on Jordan.Dammit. Why does he have to look so good?
Nina slips from her stool to hug Willow and me. “I’m glad you two are here. I’ve been drowning in an overload of Thorne testosterone.”
“You should try being the only female mechanic in a garage full of men,” Willow says.
“I don’t know how you do it. All those strong, handsome men around you all day,” I tease.
She rolls her eyes. “Please. They think of me as one of the guys. And they talk like I’m one too. You don’t want to know some of the gross things I’ve learned.”
I tap my lips. “Color me intrigued.”
Nina titters. “Right?”
Willow shakes her head vehemently. “If I could erase them from my mind, I would.”
“Let’s sit,” I suggest. “I’ve been on my feet all day.”
Nina settles back on her stool while Willow and I take the unoccupied ones. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, depending on how I look at it, I end up next to Jordan. He smells like a fantasy come to life, all rugged masculinity with a hint of something softer. I can’t tell if it’s his soap, his cologne, or the mix of both, but much like a dog would, my nose recognizes it as distinctlyhis. And I’m doing my best not to drool.
Jordan turns to me, a slow smile spreading across his lips, making my stomach flutter. “Hey, G.”
“Hey, yourself.” I slip off my jacket and hang it on the back of my stool.
“What’s new?” he asks.
“Not much. Work’s been occupying most of my time. How about you?”
“Same. Business is booming at the dispensary, so I can’t complain.” My nose wrinkles before I can stop it. “What’s that look for?” he asks, calling me out.
“Oh.” A nervous laugh slips out. “I didn’t realize I was making a face. I guess I don’t understand the appeal of weed. I know so many people who enjoy it, but it’s not my thing.”
He leans closer, his arm brushing against mine. “So what is yourthing?”
You?No. No. No. Bad Ginger. I mustn’t let his deep chocolate eyes derail me.
“Laugh A Latte is.”
“No, that’s your work.”
“It’s my dream come to life,” I say with pride.
“Right. Just like Thorne Buds is mine. But I’m asking, what do you do to unwind?”
