Page 41 of We're One

I climb from bed and address my traitorous body. “Not happening this morning, boy,” I say, not even embarrassed to be speaking to my dick. I climb into the shower, run it on cold to wake me up and calm my hormones, then turn up the heat and scrub myself. I pour soap over my lower regions because I’m too sensitive right now for even my own touch, and the only one I want making me come at this moment is a dark-haired vixen who snuck out of my bed. My own hand just won’t do.

I quickly dress, grateful when my body cooperates. I can’t guarantee what will happen the second I see Sia again, but life’s a gamble. I might meet her parents and embarrass myself. That isn’t enough to stop me from going to her home. I’m smart though. I did have my mom around for long enough to teach me how to properly woo a woman, not that I’ve taken her advice until now. In my defense I never needed to. Women have come far too easily for me throughout my lifetime.

I leave the cabin with a skip in my step as I head to The Mermaid Café. I’m glad it opens ridiculously early. I remember Sia saying her parents get up with the rising of the sun, so I’m safe to show up now.

“Good morning, Zach,” the waitress says. It takes me a moment to remember her name, then I give her my most devilish smile.

“Good morning, Amelia. How is your day going so far?”

She chuckles. “Well, when I have such a handsome man come in first thing in the morning, it certainly improves my day,” she tells me with a harmless, flirty smile.

“I like starting my day with great company, so my day is getting better and better by the second,” I tell her.

“What can I get for you? Is anyone joining you?” she asks with a knowing look. My brother warned me that nothing happens in this town without everyone knowing, but surely they can’t know that Sia spent the night with me... can they? I shift on my feet as I look down.

“I’ll be taking an order to go. I’m hoping you have fresh pastry.”

Amelia chuckles. “We have a large supply brought in every morning. You’re lucky you’re here early because we get more and more but they’re still gone by nine.”

“You might run out sooner this time because I want a dozen if I can get them in a variety of flavors.”

“First come, first serve so you’re in luck. Anything else?”

“I’ll take four breakfast sandwiches, your choice of what’s best, and let’s throw in a couple of breakfast burritos as well and some fruit cups. I’ll also take a hot cup of coffee while I wait with a splash of cream.”

“Can do,” Amelia says as I sit at the counter. She moves to the coffee pot and pours me a cup, then hands over the creamer. I sit back and enjoy the coffee while she places my order.

An elbow bumps me; Eileen is sitting beside me. “You taking all the donuts?” she asks.

“Not all, but a good chunk,” I tell her, not feeling bad at all.

“Good thing I already got mine,” she says. I look around the half-full room and see that most everyone has a pastry of some sort. They must get a couple hundred of the treats if they have enough to last until nine.

“I’d give you one from my order. I don’t want to deprive the most beautiful woman in town,” I tell her, which makes her beam at me. I like this woman. She entertained me yesterday when she came and talked to Callan and me. She’s beautiful as well. I imagine she broke many hearts in her youth. Hell, she’s most likely still breaking hearts.

“You’re a smart man, Zach.” She gets a gleam in her eyes. “I hear you and Sia took a long walk down the beach last night... and neither of you returned to the bonfire that went on until about two in the morning.” She gives me a wink after saying this. I don’t know why, but I feel my cheeks heat just a tad. I honestly can’t remember the last time I’ve blushed. The knowing look in this woman’s eyes, though, makes me think she can read my very thoughts. Callan said gossip flows here, but this is overboard.

“I can’t get into gossip,” I tell Eileen, then play along and wink back at her.

She pats my shoulder, seeming to give me her approval, a bonus for me. There’s no way I can win Sia over if the people in town hate me. Seaville is the dictionary definition of a close-knit community. You’re either in or you’re out, and if you’re out, you’re really out.

“How did your first night in our quaint little village go?” she asks.

I’m feeling a bit smug right now because my night went just as I’d hoped it would. I can’t share that though. A man never kisses and tells. “I had a wonderful evening. The moonlight on the ocean is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. The sunset before the moon came out was incredible.”

“Did Sia have as good a time?” she knowingly asks. I shift in my seat.

“We had a lovely chat and caught up about old times. It was very pleasant.”

“I’m sure you two caught up on a lot. Now, you did leave her high and dry nine years ago. Are you planning on doing that again?” she pointedly asks. I feel as if I’m suddenly in an interrogation. I thought I had to win over Sia’s parents, but I’m quickly realizing it’s not that simple. I have to win the entire town over. I better be careful.

“I’m not going anywhere unless it’s to follow Sia,” I say, realizing this is true. I’ve never been a puppet, but there’s nowhere I won’t follow Sia. She’s worth the chase.

“Good boy,” Eileen says as she again pats my arm. If anyone else were to do it, I’d feel patronized, but from this woman, I only feel approval. What an odd sensation.

“I’m going to meet Sia’s parents as soon as I leave here,” I tell Eileen, wondering why I’m telling her. Do I want her approval? I need them to like me here, but I’ve never sought anyone’s approval before.

“Meeting the parents? That’s a big step,” she tells me.

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