AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Another guy takes his spot, and I look up, seeing someone who looks a lot like Ryan, but not, at the same time. He’s wearing a Pine Cove Fire Department sweatshirt and his blue eyes study me for a second before recognition hits. “You’re Ally’s friend, right?”
“Uh, yes?”
“I’m Tyler, Jake’s brother.” He smiles, holding his hand out for me to shake.
“Oh, right. I thought you looked familiar. What can I get for you?”
“Just a Bud. I’m waiting for my brother.”
“Jake?”
“No, Ry. He’s supposed to meet me after his shift, but he usually stays later. That guy seriously needs to get a life.”
Oh no. No, no, no.
Ryan is coming here? Now?
I force a smile. “Yeah, I’m sure he does.” My voice comes out weird to my ears, but Tyler doesn’t seem to notice.
Grabbing a glass from the cooler, I pour his beer and place it on a coaster in front of him. “Do you want a menu before the kitchen closes?” Why am I asking that? I don’t want them sitting and eating in front of me where I’ll be forced to look at them, and Ryan will just stare at me.
“Yeah, thanks.”
Shit.
Handing him two menus, I smooth my suddenly sweaty palms on the sides of my jeans, and move down to the next customer. I need to focus.
After fifteen minutes, I start to relax again, smiling and laughing with the people of Pine Cove who come up for drink after drink. The people here are so nice. The cold weather definitely brings them flocking here as something to do.
As I’m smiling at a man who’s a little older, but still handsome, I feel a tingling sensation run down my spine.
He’s here.
I’d know the feeling of his eyes on me no matter where I was.
Turning slowly, I meet Ryan’s hard gaze, and my blood starts to rush a little faster in my veins. His clenched fists rest on the bar as his eyes take me in from head to toe.
He looks good. His t-shirt hugs his biceps, showing off his well-defined arms that look like God sculpted himself. I remember how strong they are, and I’d love to feel them wrapped around me again.
Tearing my eyes away, I take in a shaky breath, and walk over to him.
“What can I get for you?” My voice is barely above a whisper, but I know he can hear me.
“What are you doing?” His harsh tone snaps me out of whatever haze seems to cloud my brain when he’s around.
I blink. “What do you mean?”
“Why are you back there?” His hard eyes dart to Alex, and then back to mine.
“Why do you care?” I snap back, not liking his questions.
“I don’t,” he says through clenched teeth.
Glancing down, I raise my eyes again and look at Tyler, who’s smiling. “So, Ashley. Do you know my brother?”
“Not really.”
“Huh. It seems like you do.”
