Page 8 of Summer with the Single Dad

Yeah, that was a better idea.

Small steps to make big changes.

She didn’t need to take the big leap on her first day and eat in public alone. She could do that tomorrow, or next week.

With fewer nerves in her belly now, she opened the door to the pub and was instantly hit with an overload of people. Laughter and conversation blended with the Top 40 music until it all created a white noise.

A sign that said, “Please Seat Yourself” was at the front. So she didn’t have to worry about having a host or hostess question her about her intentions.

She made her way toward the bar where a handsome man with long-ish hair, tied back in a small man bun greeted her with a smile. “Hi there. What can I get you?”

His eyes were the exact same shade as Bennett’s. Was this one of the brothers he mentioned?

“I’d like a menu, please.”

His smile widened, and he grabbed a leather-bound menu from a stack behind the bar. “Sure thing. You looking to place an order to go?”

She nodded.

“Just let me know when you’re ready and I’ll send it to the kitchen.” Then he made his way down the bar to a server who was waiting to speak with him.

Justine opened the heavy menu.

Everything listed sounded delicious.

Besides tomatoes, she had no other food dislikes, and zero allergies. She was always drawn to Mediterranean flavors too. So the Greek Falafel Burger with the Beer-Soaked Garlic Fries sounded perfect.

“Ready to order?” the man with the man-bun asked, jerking his strong chin at her.

She placed her order, and he said it’d be about fifteen minutes. “Would you like a drink while you wait?” he asked, motioning to the recently vacated seat at the bar.

She slid onto the stool and nodded. “Sure … I’ll have an, um …” Her eyes scanned the chalkboard full of drink specials behind him. “The Island Sunset sounds good.”

“Coming right up.” His smile was all kinds of playful and his eyes twinkled in a way that reminded her so much of Bennett and their exchange when he showed her to her cabin.

“Are you … uh, are you one of the brothers that owns the place?” she asked.

He plunked the tall, narrow glass with the sunset-colored liquids swirling around in front of her. “I am. I’m Dom.” He thrust his hand over the top of the bar. “Are you staying here?”

“I just checked into one of the cabins. I’ve already met Bennett.”

“Ah, gotcha. You’re the last-minute booking?”

She shrugged. “I think so. I only just made the reservation last week.”

“Which was a godsend because we had a cancellation and Bennett was shitting himself.” He snorted in mirth, then jerked his chin in greeting at someone who walked in. “Well, welcome to the island, and to Sound Bites and the cabins.” His grin was extremely flirtatious, but it didn’t send her belly butterflies into an unmitigated frenzy the way Bennett’s smile did.

Yes, Dom was handsome. Hell, the man was gorgeous, but he just didn’t make her heart pound or her stomach flutter.

“If you’ll excuse me, I’m sure your order will be ready in just a couple of minutes.” Then he tossed her another flirty smile and went to tend to new people looking to place an order to-go.

Sipping on her delicious cocktail, Justine tuned into the world around her.

So many happy people. The room—and patio—was full of smiles and laughter, glowing eyes and endless joy.

It made sense considering how peaceful the island seemed, and the view was unparalleled. The water just beyond the outside patio glittered with the deep rays of the low-hanging sun. A few wispy white clouds floated carelessly in the sky and the breeze that swept through the pub from the open patio doors was balmy and deliciously briny from the sea.

She pulled in a deep inhale and closed her eyes, letting the music and people around her once again fade into a benign white noise.

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