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He stood so close, just on the other side of the narrow bar, and watched me so intently, there wasn’t a lot of time for deliberation. So I went with the truth, which might be telling him without telling him.
“My name is Nora Sutton.”
I held my breath and waited for something to register on his face—surprise, shock, confusion, even a vague sense of familiarity. But…nothing. So I pushed a little more.
“Actually, my name is Eleanor Sutton. I was named after my grandmother. Though no one calls me Eleanor. Not since my mom passed. Well, except my friend Louise sometimes. But I go by Nora.”
Not a batted eyelash.
Not a squint.
Definitely no jaw dropping in shock.
Nothing…
It made my insides feel hollow.
My own father didn’t recognize me. Not by face. Or by name. Even if you’ve had no contact with your child for nearly thirty years, how do you forget her name once you’ve been told?
“So you here by yourself, Eleanor—Nora Sutton?” he asked.
I shook my head. “I’m traveling with a friend.”
“Is she as pretty as you?”
Oh Jesus. Is he flirting with me? When I walked up, he called me beautiful. But I’d chalked it up to an island bartender being friendly. But now, the hollow I’d felt inside started to fill—with anger.
“She is,” I said. “And she’s closer to your age, too.”
I had one hand casually resting on the bar. Alex reached across and stroked his finger along the top. My anger bubbled to rage.
“Are you married, Alex?”
“Let’s not spoil the moment, babe.”
Ugh.Yet I managed to smile. It was an evil one with clenched teeth, but a man who didn’t recognize his own daughter’s name surely was too oblivious to notice.
“Have any children?” I asked.
“Nope.”
“Why not?”
“Never wanted any.”
That was a kick in the gut. My emotions swung from sad to angry and back to sad again like a ping-pong match.
“How long are you in town for?” he asked.
“Just the night.”
“How about if I show you the island?”
I narrowed my eyes. “Is that a service you offer? Every person who passes through this place gets a free tour of the island?”
The asshole seemed to be enjoying our banter. He flashed a smarmy smile.
“Only the beautiful ones. So whadda you say? I can get someone to cover me. I’ve got an open-air Jeep parked right out front.”
