Page 39 of Deep Tide

“Don’t they have any places up there?”

“Yeah, but it’s not the same. The tortilla chips are off. Also the salsa.” She shrugged. “I learned to make my own.”

She grabbed a dish towel from the oven door and wiped her hands.

“So. Can I offer you some gumbo?”

“Thanks, but I didn’t come here to mooch dinner.”

“I know. I’m inviting you.”

Sean wanted to stay. Having beer and gumbo around her cozy little table sounded good, better than any invitation he’d had in a very long time.

But he had to get back to work.

He stood up and stepped closer to her, taking care not to hit his head on any of the pans hanging from the ceiling.

“I wish I could, but I have to go.”

“Work?” she asked.

He nodded.

She gazed up at him with those ice-blue eyes that looked so much like Joel’s, it kept freaking him out. Sean wasn’t sure what his friend would have to say about him standing in his baby sister’s apartment, thinking about getting her naked.

Leyla’s eyes heated, as though she’d just read his thoughts, and her gaze dropped to his mouth.

Time to leave.

“Thanks for the invite,” he said. “Sorry I can’t stay.”

She eased around him and led him to the door.

He looked at her. “Some other night, maybe?”

She pulled the door open. “We’ll see.”

CHAPTER

SEVEN

Excited barks greeted Leyla as she hiked up the stairs to her brother’s house on the bay. One of the kayak slips was empty, and it looked like someone was out for a morning paddle. Before Leyla could knock, Bailey Rhoads peered through the window and then opened the door.

“Hi there. Wow, what’s all this?” she asked as she stepped back and ushered Leyla inside.

“Just a little dinner for you guys. Can I set it in the kitchen?”

“Sure.”

Miranda and Joel’s excited brown dog jumped around at Leyla’s feet.

“Benji, calm down,” Bailey said, tugging him away.

“He’s fine.”

Leyla followed Bailey into the kitchen. Miranda’s sister wore a T-shirt and shorts, and with her dark hair up in a ponytail, Leyla could see the family resemblance.

“It’s seafood gumbo.” Leyla set a paper bag on the counter. “And some baguettes that just came out of the oven.”

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