“I didn’t peg you for a beer guy,” I say, watching as his Adam’s apple juts out each time he swallows his drink. “Figured you had coffee morning, noon, and night.”
He laughs and offers the glass to me. “Want a sip?”
Now it’s my turn to swallow.
I grab the glass, the condensation making my hand wet, and look up at him as I take a slow sip of the cold beer, my mouth on the exact place his just was. It’s a lighter beer, very hoppy. I’m not usually a beer girl, but this one isn’t too bad. As I swallow it down, I can’t help but notice him clear his throat and adjust in his seat.
“It’s good. Thanks,” I finally say.
“We can share.”
After dinner, we sit together on the couchand play a game of cards. He teaches me how to play Spit, and we sit together, drinking beer and laughing while I destroy him in a game I’ve never played before.
“How are you so good at this?” he asks, eyebrow cocked and my favourite smirk stuck on his mouth.
“Beginner’s luck, I guess?” I shrug as I draw another card from the top of the deck and place it on top, facing up. A seven.
As quickly as I can, I grab the six I’ve been saving and go to slap it down on top of the card at the same time Dylan grabs his own eight and slaps it down. We both act so fast that our hands touch, and the spark that flies up my arm from his hand on mine causes me to shiver. Goosebumps erupt, and I feel my cheeks redden from the reaction. We look up at each other, and his dark green eyes crinkle at me, a small laugh forming on his face.
His hand lingers on mine, and we both look down at them, his engulfing mine, and then back at each other. As I start to wonder if something might happen, his gaze falls, and he pulls his hand away.
“It’s getting late,” he says without looking at his watch. “I have an early start tomorrow. Another storm. Might not be a good day to visit.”
What felt like a growing spark between us now feels like someone doused the flames with water. Cold. Fizzled out.
“Uh, okay,” I say. Reluctantly, I take off the sweater he lent me and leave it on the couch as I get up.
He brings our empty glasses over to the kitchen without looking back at me. Dropping them in the sink, he finally turns around, lips drawn together in a line, eyes dropped in a pensive stare. “Thanks, Lucy.”
“Bye, Dylan,” I respond as I trudge down the stairs,opening the familiar red door and walking out into the cool August night.
As I make my way to my car, I turn around once more, looking at the tall structure.
Wondering if I’ll ever be back.
Feeling sad that I might not be.
Chapter Nine
“You’ve been storming around the cafe all morning,” Priya says to me as we’re getting everything set up before Pleasant Coffee opens. I’ve barely spoken since arriving half an hour ago and have messed up the pastry case at least three times. “Keep it up and we won’t have any customers to serve.”
“I’m fine,” I grumble, not fooling anyone, especially not her.
“Is it that guy?”
“What guy?” My back straightens, and I look over at her, tucking a loose strand of blonde hair behind my ear. Sarah would have a field day if she saw me handling food with hair in my face. I’m too annoyed to even care right now. I’ll throw it up before we open.
“The guy you’ve been distracted with for the past few weeks. The one you said you aren’t seeing?” She pulls a black elastic band off her own wrist and motions for me to turn around, grabbing my hair between her long fingers and pulling it back into a ponytail, off my shoulders and away from my face.
“Thanks, Pri,” I mumble.
“No problem. Now, tell me I’m right.”
I haven’t said anything more about the lighthouse keeper to her. Mostly because I still don’t understand what is going on. The fact that there is no mention of him online. I think I’ve been trying to keep it all to myself for when it inevitably blows up in my face. I should give hersomething, though—she is my best friend, and I can tell she’s concerned.
“Okay, you’rekind ofright,” I start.
“Hmm.” She’s moved on to wiping down the counter while I still try to finish up the pastry case.
