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“Thank you.” I hate that everyone has to comment about my appearance.
I’m making my way over to the table in question when Cam comes up to me in the middle of the dining room. “Who is this guy?”
My forehead wrinkles. “I’m sorry?”
“Chevelle is dating some guy named Derek. Who is he? What do you know about him?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. He said he was working at the docks.”
His eyes narrow. “I haven’t heard of him,” Cam says, nostrils flaring.
“Just relax, she can handle herself.” I run my hand down his arm.
He blows out a breath. “Your brothers need to keep a better eye on her.”
“Okay, I’ll tell them.” I slide past him. “Now excuse me.”
I go to the table to apologize for the lack of ice cream and suggest one of our pies.
Between the inn and the restaurant, I savor the silence once the restaurant is shut down. I’m sitting at the computer, playing solitaire, when rain pelts the windows. I check the reservation book, and damn it, Trina took a late reservation without a phone number again.
I start another game as headlights shine through the window. I can’t deny that déjà vu causes my stomach to fill with butterflies. The door opens and I bite my bottom lip, wondering if…
“Sorry I’m late,” the man steps in. A man who isn’t Noah.
I stand. “It’s okay. I assume you’re…” I look at the book. “George?”
“That’s me. The jobsite took too long and I’m meeting my wife here tomorrow.”
“Well, we’re happy to have you at SunBay Inn.” I start the check-in process and get him assigned to the last room available, sliding the key over to him. “Just up the stairs to your left.”
“Is the kitchen open?” he asks.
“I’m sorry, it’s not. But we’ll start serving breakfast at six.” I dig into the cabinet behind me and hand him a bag of snacks I have for the latecomers who arrive after the dining room is closed. I had the idea after Noah came in so late the night we met. “Here are a few things to tide you over. Some chips, granola bars, and a water.”
He lifts the bag. “Thanks.”
He goes upstairs and I turn off the computer, then round the desk to lock the door and put up the closed sign. But the door opens just before I reach it. I step back, startled by the large body in the doorway. He steps in, pushing back the gray hood of the rain jacket.
My stomach ignites like the baby butterflies are just learning to fly. Noah.
“Hi,” I say.
“Hi. I was wondering if you have a room available?”
I close my eyes for a moment at the sound of his deep voice. “Um… no. I’m sorry I just rented out the last room.” I stare at him, cataloging the differences since the last time I saw him. Not much is different except his cheeks are a little sunburned and he has dark circles under his eyes.
“I should’ve called.”
We stand there, staring at each other.
“Not even a broom closet or anything, huh?”
I shake my head. “What brings you to SunBay Inn?”
“A woman.”
I fight the smile that wants to form on my face. “Oh really?”
