Page 93 of Catch and Release

“I feel like it’s worth mentioning that I grew up on the water and do not need a fishing lesson,” Layla piped in.

Shawn chuckled and Willa noticed a teenage boy trailed behind him. She gave Shawn a quizzical look.

“This is Brodie,” Shawn said. “He’s a senior in high school and he works here on Saturdays.”

They all said hello and introduced themself to the lanky, dark-haired teenager. As Willa introduced herself, she saw a look of recognition pass over Brodie’s face. Then she realized he probably recognized her from that damn photo. It was sweet that Shawn had a photo of her in the bait shop, but confusing as hell given their current situationship. It’s not as if she needed another thing to stress about today, and of course, she knew she could count on her friends to poke the bear.

Brodie gave them a shy smile before settling in behind the checkout counter, right near where the photo of Willa hung proudly.

“That’s a great picture of you, Willa,” Charlie said, grinning like a cat.

“It really is!” Amanda chimed in. “You look so pretty.”

“That she does,” Shawn chimed in, his cheeks reddening as he looked his fill at Willa.

Amanda and Charlie exchanged knowing glances.

“So what’s the story behind it?” Charlie asked.

Shawn cleared his throat. “Well, my Grams took the picture. She and Willa go on walks together most days. And she asked me to give it to Willa but I decided to keep it and hang it in the shop. It’s a good photo. Plus, it keeps the tourists off my back.”

“The tourists?” Amanda asked.

“Ahh, well…” Shawn trailed off, then looked to Willa with wide eyes as if searching for help.

“The aggressively flirtatious tourists who show up to the shop drunk and try to get in Shawn’s pants even after he’s expressed that he’s not interested,” Willa said.

The girls nodded knowingly.

“Yikes,” Layla frowned.

“People suck,” Amanda said.

Out in front of the shop, they piled the supplies into the bed of Shawn’s truck before climbing into it. Of course, the girls insisted that Willa sit in the front. As she walked around to the passenger seat, Shawn was preparing to open the door for her but stopped her.

“Sorry I didn’t tell you about the picture,” he said quietly.

“It’s alright,” she said. “Just wasn’t expecting…”

“I know we’re just keeping it casual, but having that picture does help keep the tourists away,” he said. Willa nodded, grateful, at least, that she could help in that department. “Plus, if I’m going to be honest, I like looking at it.”

Her lips parted as he smirked at her, then opened the passenger door. She felt hot all over her body as he shut the door and then hopped in the driver’s seat. He sent a quick glance her way and winked at her, then turned the car on and pulled out.

Willa rested her head against the window and willed her body to calm down. If she couldn’t get herself in check, it was going to be a long afternoon.

Shawn laughed to himself as he hosed down the boat. It’d been a great afternoon on the Bay, and aside from a few suggestive remarks from Charlie and Amanda, he’d pretty much just acted as their chauffeur and taken them to all the best spots. He’d had a good time watching Willa have fun with her friends, and he was certain they’d be exhausted after swimming and fishing all over the Bay.

Of course, he’d had a raging hard-on half the afternoon. He was a man, after all, and being around Willa in a swimsuit still made him feel like he might explode.

“What are you grinning about?” A deep voice pierced through his thoughts.

Shawn turned around and saw a familiar tattoo sleeve on fair skin.

“Tucker,” Shawn said, dropping the hose and hopping onto the dock to pull his best friend in for a hug. “Good to see you, man.”

Tucker hugged him back, but when they parted, he said, “Gotta say, I’m surprised to be receiving such a warm welcome considering you haven’t texted me back in months.”

Shawn grimaced. “Sorry, man.”

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