Page 6 of One More Time

“Just this week.”

“When do you start work?”

“Later this week.”

Blake interjected. “You’re up.” He gestured me forward as he stepped to the side.

Phyllis was at the counter. She smiled at Tessa and me before her eyes landed on Jack. “Good morning. You must be new to town.”

“This is Jack.” I gestured to him. “He was on the ferry a couple of months ago when Quinn and Kenan got married. He’s taking a position on the firefighter crew here in town.”

Phyllis glanced at Jack, her eyes twinkling. “Town or hotshot?”

“Hotshot,” Jack replied with a grin.

“You’re starting in the middle of winter?”

Jack nodded. “By the time fire season starts in earnest, I’ll be ready to roll.”

“Welcome to Fireweed Harbor. I hope I see you often. We are the best coffee shop in town,” Phyllis said.

Jack’s return smile was warm. “I love good coffee, so I’m sure you’ll see me often.”

“What can I get you?” she prompted.

He skimmed the chalkboard. “I’ll take the house coffee as long as it’s strong.”

“It’s plenty strong.” Phyllis shifted her attention to Tessa and me. “Your usual?”

“Always,” Tessa replied, and I nodded.

“Anything to eat?”

Blake called over from where he waited nearby. “If you want sweet, I vote for the pear muffins. If you want savory, go for the ham or spinach pastries.”

I sidled away while Jack ordered. I could still feel Heather’s eyes pinned on me, but I ignored her. The hum of conversation carried on around me.

I loved my hometown. I really did. But sometimes I felt caught in a tiny net. For example, I wanted to be unknown right now, just someone ordering coffee and living a quiet life.

Being the youngest sibling in a well-known family, with all our secrets sprinkled through the gossip chain in this tiny town, wasn’t fun. I ignored the sting to my pride when I saw a few gazes bounce from me to Cory. I felt so stupid for even dating him and wished the shadows of gossip didn’t cast so long. I imagined no one would’ve even remembered, but he’d talked about how he’d dated me in high school when he did the whole piece on the legal troubles for my grandfather. He played it off like he knew our family well, which was such bullshit. I tried to tell myself it was all in my head.

I had to resist the urge but refused to let my gaze drift to Jack again. He was handsome and way too distracting. I didn’t need any distractions. My life all by itself distracted enough.

“You could at least apologize.” I whipped my head around to find Heather standing there.

“Excuse me?”

“To Cory,” she said, each word sharp.

So much for hoping it was all in my head. I was legitimately confused. “For what?”

Heather rolled her eyes, letting out a little snort. “For cheating.”

“What?” I yelped.

Just then, Cory approached, sliding his arm around her waist with a proprietary air. “Let’s go,” he said.

I stared at him. “What the hell are you telling people?”

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