She drags Hattie to the middle of the bar, that’s most certainly not a dance floor, and begins strutting to “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” by Brooks & Dunn. They both giggle as Nora does the line dance she’s no doubt perfected since childhood.
Silas comes up behind me and squeezes both my shoulders before leaning in. “You’ve got it bad, man. Are you going to ask her out or what?”
His words spritz water on my fantasy, making it sizzle as it goes out. I can be attracted to Nora all I want but it doesn’t change that she’s here short term. It’s not wise to start falling for a woman who’s not here for long. I’m sure as Helsinki not moving to New York.
This town is my home. My family is here. My job. The budgies.
Still, a part of me wonders if a guy like me could make it in a bigger world outside of the one I know. I’m handy at fixing things and things need fixing all over the world.
I give my head a slight shake, thankful Silas has abandoned me again to refill more drinks.
“You can be straight with me,” Monroe says, eyes narrowed on me. “Jokes aside. What are your intentions with Goldie Everhart’s granddaughter?”
“Nothing,” I blurt out, scowling. “I don’t like Nora, remember?”
Monroe winces as if my words embarrass him. It’s then I realize Nora has stopped dancing and is standing close enough to hear me. I shrivel up inside, feeling like a total jerk.
“Oh, hey,” I choke out. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine.” Her blue eyes water but she forces a smile. “I’m going to run upstairs and catch my breath.”
As she scurries off, I scrub my palm over my face and let loose a rush of breath. “I’m an idiot,” I growl. “What’s wrong with me?”
My brother decides to show up at that exact moment, having escaped The Flock long enough to chat it up with me. “I’ve been wondering that since the day I came out of our mother.”
Monroe attempts to knock off Corbin’s ball cap but misses because my brother is younger and faster. Fighting fires keeps him agile.
“You kiss that momma of yours with that mouth?” Monroe asks. “Maybe I should give her a call.”
I crack up laughing despite feeling awful moments before. Having the sheriff as your best friend has its perks.
“Don’t call Mom,” Corbin pleads. “I’ll never hear the end of it.”
As they bicker, I slide out of my stool and smack my brother hard on the back. “Behave. Don’t follow me. There’s a woman I need to apologize to.”
Corbin grins wickedly at me. “Elias is going to apologize? Someone call Jessi. She’ll never believe it.”
My siblings are so obnoxious. I slip away even after he continues to toss out jokes. It’s not until I’m in the stairwell, where it’s a little quieter, that I relax.
The Icehouse is fun, but I do love my slow, easy, boring life. Missing my bed right about now, too.
But first, I need to make things right with Nora.
I take the steep steps two at a time. When I reach the landing, she’s not there. But one of the big windows that leads to the balcony has been left ajar.
She’s leaning against the railing, staring out at the bay. I slip out and join her, not speaking at first. A small sniffle tells me she’s been crying.
“I didn’t mean that,” I mutter. “I don’t know why I said it. They were ribbing me and I just blurted it out so they would stop.”
“It’s fine.”
“But it’s not,” I say firmly. “I’m sorry. We’ve been getting along. It wasn’t cool. You didn’t deserve that.”
She turns and peeks over at me beneath her long lashes. “Apology accepted. And it’s not all you. The events of the day are catching up to me.”
I move closer until our arms nearly touch. “Is it about the breakup?”
“Hattie told you?” She frowns in confusion. “When?”
