Page 15 of Adrift

I know what Sunrise is like. If I’m not careful, I’ll find a housewarming kitchen party happening around me in the blink of an eye.

“We have to invite ourselves? Noted.” Kieran tosses his head defiantly as he grins right back at me.

He doesn’t give me a break, does he?

I like that about him… a lot.

But then the door opens, and we’re finally interrupted by others walking in. I stop myself just before I whirl around and glare at them.

It’s a restaurant. They’re allowed. In fact, it’s probably a good thing… but damn it, I could spend all day letting Kieran weave this spell on me.

Kieran stands up right away, gathering the plate and forks as he winks at me. “Want the check now or later, lover?” He picks up the old cider bottle in his other hand, carefully cradling it against his chest.

“Now, please,” I tell him, groaning as I push myself to my feet to gather up my photos. “I’ve gotta get going. I’ve got a lot to live up to.”

Kieran cranes his neck to peer up at me. “Don’t worry. I bet your feet are big enough to fill those shoes,” he murmurs.

I blush as Kieran looks meallthe way up and down, and then he just sashays off. He swings into action like a well-oiled machine, greeting the new customers as he puts back the bottle and grabs menus.

Lord, he’s killing me.

I shake my head, rubbing my hand over my face and the smile that appeared all on its own, yet again.

But Kieran’s right. If my family did it, so can I.

And not just because I’m a foot taller than him… or because I have big feet… or anything else that might imply.

I leave cash on the table—plus another tip, of Kieran’s apparently third-favourite kind.

He catches my eyes on the way out the door, and I suddenly lose track of whatever small talk I was trying to leave him with.

All I can do is smile at him like we’re both in on a secret that nobody else could quite understand. Because that’s what it feels like.

And Kieran doesn’t say a word. He just smiles right back at me in that way that makes his entire soul sparkle.

There’s one good thing about this island being so small. I know that one way or another, I’m gonna see him again…realsoon.

Chapter

Six

KIERAN

Well,now I have a problem. It’s the end of my shift, and I don’t know what I’m going to tell Berty.

I’m renting a cute little one-bedroom house two doors down from my boss and his husband, but they aren’t exactly my agony aunts. He must be expecting me to have something important to talk about.

Like,I want to hand in my notice.And that was the plan… right up until Gage walked through the door.

I know I shouldn’t think with my dick when I’m making big life decisions. But what about my heart?

No. That’s even dumber. It’s not like we’re in love. I mean, we barely know each other. Maybe he was just lonely and freaking out because it’s his first day back here after so long away, and he’ll never want to talk to me again.

I’m standing at the top of the dock, studying the golf carts in the parking lot as I kick gravel from the metal ramp back up to the turning circle in the road.

“There,” I grunt with satisfaction as I scuff the sole of my trainer across the ramp one more time to get those last few rocks.

I don’t have a lot of time to figure out what to do. Berty and Doug live right here, overlooking the wharf and restaurant, and I can literally see my own front door.

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