“You’re a lifesaver.” Jo prepared their shakes. “If you don’t know anyone, you can talk to my kid brother Hugo over there. He’s studying business, too.” She tried to get his attention, but he’d just arrived with a group of friends. She could use his help, but she hated to ask.
A red vinyl bar stool opened up at the counter.
“I’ll sit here if that’s okay,” Rocky said. “Unless you need me to do something else. I can fill water glasses and bus tables.”
“I might take you up on that.” The offer was tempting.
“Then I’ll wait for your signal.”
She whipped up a Queen’s Blend mocha shake and gave it to him.
At the first sip, he grinned. “That’s amazing. Real coffee, ice cream, and chocolate. No wonder you’re so busy. I’m impressed.”
Jo smiled. “Glad you like it. I have a lot more surprises where that came from.”
Rocky looked around the diner, taking in the vintage diner décor and Adrian and his musician friends, who were revving up the crowd with old Beach Boys songs.
“This place is great,” Rocky said. “I heard Friday night was special, but I didn’t expect this kind of energy on Crown Island.”
“It’s the high summer season,” Jo said, sweeping away dishes. “From what I hear, your uncle’s place does pretty well this time of year in Summer Beach.”
Rocky nodded as he sipped his shake. “Uncle Mitch gets the morning shift at Java Beach. Surfers, tourists, the town gossips, and the local bookie.”
“So, you’re one of the new cousins. What a small world. What’s it like discovering a new side of the family?”
“The Bay family is already pretty large, so what’s a few more?” He grinned. “I think it’s cool. April seems very nice. That makes Maileah and Junie cousins, too. If Sailor ever marries Maileah, we’ll be sort of related. Is there such a thing as cousins-in-law?”
“Probably.” Rocky’s reasoning made Jo chuckle.
“Are you sure you don’t need help?” Rocky asked.
She looked down the counter at dirty dishes stacking up. Rocky seemed easy-going, and all the women were watching and smiling at him, so what did she have to lose?
“Actually, that would be great. You can fill water glasses and bus the dishes. I have orders I need to bring out.”
“You got it, boss.”
They worked in rhythm like a natural team. Her other servers looked quizzical at first but accepted the help. When Adrian invited people to sing along to “Margaritaville,” Rocky broke out in song. The crowd at the counter clapped and cheered.
At the end of the song, Rocky twirled Jo around, and they took a bow. Everyone applauded.
“Look out,” one of the young women said to her friend. “Cute cop by the door. You can have him, unless he’s here to shut the place down.”
Jo spun around. Blue was in uniform, which meant he was on a break, not off duty. Yet his gaze was glued on her.
And Rocky. Who was laughing and leaning close to her to speak above the music.
Blue’s jaw clenched, and he rotated his neck. He turned as if to leave.
“Blue!” she called out and waved him over, keeping her voice bright.
He crossed the diner in an unhurried, deliberate way. When he reached the counter, he stood across from her, hands on his hips.
“Everything okay here?”
“Meet Rocky,” she said. “He’s Sailor’s friend from Summer Beach. And one of the Raines family’s new cousins.”
“Rocky Bay. Nice to meet you.” He stuck out his hand.
