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“I’ll be right back,” he muttered, turning to head toward the restrooms. His stomach rumbled as he moved. He’d grabbed a protein bar before heading over to Coconuts but it hadn’t filled him up. He’d order some food when he got back to the bar.
Wyatt was near the front door when two women walked in—a taller blonde and petite brunette. Shock washed over him as the women glanced toward the bar area.
“He’s here,” the brunette said with a smile, talking loudly over the music. She continued saying something about the bartender, but Wyatt had frozen in place, his eyes on the other woman. Long, soft hair. Big blue eyes. A slight hesitation in her step as she glanced around, taking in the crowd. Subtle curves, outlined by the sundress she wore. She was both willowy and graceful, the most beautiful damn thing he’d ever seen. His heart thudded in his chest, his pulse pounding, and then Wyatt was moving closer without thought.
“Callie.”
She turned toward him and shrieked in surprise, dropping her keys and phone to the ground.
Chapter 6
THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS of Coconuts spilled into the parking lot even before Callie and Alexa had walked in the front doors. The Thursday evening happy hour crowd was talking and laughing, drinks were being poured, and music pumped from the speakers. Callie could smell the delicious aroma of food in the air, and her stomach rumbled. Dinner had never sounded so good. Suddenly, she felt absolutely famished. It was like the adrenaline spike from earlier had made her ravenous. She’d driven from her apartment in a great mood, suddenly feeling lighter than she had all week.
Alexa had arrived at the same time as her, looking cute in a halter top, short skirt, and strappy wedge sandals. “Think the bartender will like?” she joked, doing a little twirl in the parking lot.
“He will love, but I thought we were here for the mahi-mahi,” Callie said lightly.
“That too, girl,” Alexa said with a wink, linking arms with Callie and dragging her toward the door. “Oh, check that out, they’re hiring again. You’re still looking for a job, right? I could see you working here. It’s not the same as traveling around the world, but it’s a job.”
Callie’s gaze landed on the door as she took in the For Hire sign. “Yeah, I guess I could waitress again. I did that in college for a couple years. I imagine people tip better here than my little college town.”
“I’m sure they do if you keep the alcohol flowing,” Alexa said with a laugh. “Oh, you could bartend.”
“Pass. I’d be horrible at that.”
“And you really won’t ever get back into social media?” Alexa pressed.
“I told you—I can’t. Not with the same presence I had before anyway. I don’t want my face blasted all over the Internet anymore.”
Alexa frowned. Although Callie had told her about the hijacking she’d endured, Callie knew her friend assumed she had some type of stalker pertaining to her former job. A crazed fan. The truth was far worse. Someone thought she knew something. Callie knew the hijackers on board the plane had been killed, but someone had looked her up. Contacted her. She didn’t know a damn thing, but that hadn’t stopped the messages. Going offline had been the only answer. Starting fresh.
“Well, you gave me some amazing tips for my photography business,” Alexa said, seeming unconcerned once again. “You could do local travel around the islands or something—show off the tourist hotspots. You don’t have to show your face if you’re worried.”
“I don’t know. I’ll think about it,” Callie said as they finally walked in through the front doors. It was even louder than outside, and Alexa was excitedly looking toward the bar area. Callie cast a cautious glance around out of habit. No one would be looking for her here, but it was crowded. She’d always be cautious now. Always.
Relaxing slightly, she let out a breath.
“Let’s go order drinks and say hi,” Alexa said. “We don’t have to eat dinner sitting at the bar, but I want to say hello. Geez. It looks like I’ve got plenty of competition tonight,” she joked, noting all the women gathered there.
“But he knows you,” Callie said. “Half those women are tourists who’ll be gone in no time.” They started to head toward the bar, when suddenly, the hair on the back of her neck stood up. Her body was instantly on alert, pulsing with awareness as she slowed her step. Someone was watching her.
“Callie,” a deep voice rumbled.
She shrieked as the man said her name, dropping her keys and phone to the ground in surprise.
“Oh my gosh,” Alexa said, looking startled by Callie’s outburst. “Are you okay?”
“Shit, sorry,” the man said, hurrying over and crouching down to grab Callie’s belongings. Callie’s heartrate began to return to normal as a sudden spike of adrenaline coursed through her, recognition setting in. The man glanced up as he collected her things in one big hand, rising to his feet with ease. “I thought that was you,” he said with a wry smile, his deep voice doing funny things to her insides. “Remember me? Wyatt.” His green eyes were warm as he looked at her, but concern was etched across his face.
“Remember you?” she asked in disbelief. “You saved my life.”
“You two know each other?” Alexa asked.
“Wyatt Miller, ma’am,” he said, shifting Callie’s things to one hand so he could shake Alexa’s.
“Alexa Rhinehart.”
Wyatt’s focus was already back on Callie. “I’m sorry if I startled you. I couldn’t believe you were really here. Small world, huh?”
