Page 29 of The Other Half

Both sets of our eyes shot over to her, and I saw the two of them exchange a glance, like a silent conversation was happening between them.

“I don’t think so,” he said, shaking his head.

“Why not? You fish every day. She’s never been. You’ll love it, Cassie, and you’re off tomorrow night. I bet Jake is, too. Aren’t you, Jake?” A sinister smile curved her lips.

“Jo,” he warned, but she ignored him.

“You two will have so much fun! Pick her up around six?”

Daggers shot from his eyes and impaled her, but she kept grinning. They both looked at me and he shook his head, exhaling the breath he’d been holding. “Fine. I’ll pick you up at six.”

My eyes widened. Was this a date?

“Unless you don’t want to,” he grumbled.

I nodded my head. “Yeah. I want to. Why not? But only if you agree not to use my dog as bait.” This little hiatus from my life was about trying new things, wasn’t it? And getting to spend an evening alone with Jake had my heart racing even if the thought of touching a fish made my skin crawl.

“Then it’s settled.” A triumphant grin flashed across Jo’s face and she gave him a playful glare before she walked down the bar.

“What should I wear?” I asked, noting I had no idea what one would wear out fishing.

“Not that,” he answered with a snort and gestured to my dress with his drink.

“Shut up!” I retorted with a blush that heated my cheeks. “So maybe it wasn’t the best outfit choice I’ve ever made.”

“I’m surprised Jo let you work like that.” He chuckled, but his gaze shot fire before he could mask it.

“I look that bad?” I asked, my prior shame crashing back into me.

“Uh, no. Not bad. Not at all, it’s just... it’s not... it’s fine, I guess.” His tumble over his words while his eyes locked onto my impressively lifted breasts refilled me with the confidence I’d been lacking. He did think I looked good.

“Well, at least I’m not wearing camo,” I retorted and arched a brow.

“At least my outfit serves a purpose,” he said with a brow that rose to challenge my own.

“And what purpose is that? I mean, it’s not like you’re in the woods. Though I do suppose you blend in pretty well here.” I gestured to the line of men sitting at the bar also wearing camo from head to toe. “I’m surprised I can even see you, you stealth thing, you. Jake? Jake? Where are you?” I shielded my eyes and looked all around him.

His mouth opened, but no words came out. Then a chuckle shook his chest before another one of those contagious belly laughs I’d heard in the truck last night started up. Giving me a conceding nod, he lifted his glass. “Well played,” he said between laughs.

While we laughed together, I glanced over to see Jo leaning against the bar, those dark eyes of hers watching us while a smirk played on her lips.

“Can I get a beer?” A man approached the bar, his “I Love Door County” shirt giving away his tourist status.

“Besides, my outfit serves a purpose as well,” I said to Jake with a wink before sauntering away. Leaning against the bar, I gave the tourist a good, long look at my barely concealed breasts while I twirled a piece of my long hair. “What can I get you?”

“Um, a bottle of Spotted Cow.” Drool practically slid down his chin while he swallowed hard.

Giving Jake a glance, I saw him watching me while I strutted across the bar. With a well-thought-out bend into the beer cooler, I arched my back while I pulled out a bottle. Slowly rising, I emphasized every asset while I slid back to standing, every eye in the bar caressed my figure. Jake sat with mouth agape while I delivered the beer and leaned over the bar again, biting my lip at my captivated customer. “That’ll be four dollars.”

After fumbling through his wallet, the man pulled out a twenty-dollar-bill. “Here. Uh, thanks. Yeah. Keep the change. Thanks.”

“Thank you,” I cooed, sliding the money off the bar.

When I walked away, I locked eyes with Jake and waggled my brows. The jealousy I could swear burned behind his eyes simmered down, and soon another laugh ripped out of him.

“See. My outfit serves a purpose. Making money.”

“Indeed, it does.” He shook his head as I strutted by. “Well played, again.”