Page 89 of Text Appeal

“Shit,” says Billy, giving me a final longing look. And then he is gone, which in all honesty is probably for the best.

I take a sip of the drink. It’s quite good, sweet and fruity. Curiosity over what happened between Shanti and Billy is driving me wild. But I doubt she wants to discuss him, given the verbal shredding she keeps delivering to the man. So instead, I say, “Ava said fresh meat would cause a feeding frenzy.”

“She was right. Posting on socials was me throwing the chum in the water.” Shanti downs some of her beer.

A Black man with a beautiful smile approaches, but Shanti waves him away. “Go and sit back down, Darius. This one is not for you. Off you go.”

He frowns, but does as told.

“Ignore my cousin,” she says. “Who else do we have here tonight?”

A cry of despair comes from over at the Jenga table, followed fast by the sound of wooden blocks crashing to the ground. The crowd goes wild, and more than one exchange of money takes place. Betting on bar games is a thing here apparently.

Joyce blows her whistle. “Emma! I said no headlocks!”

“We’re trying to make Connor jealous, huh?” I ask, taking a sip of the cocktail.

“Yes. Ava has a theory that he just needs a little push.” Her smile is less sadistic this time. “Hello there, my darling Lulu.”

“I can’t believe Mom won’t let me stay home alone.” A set of headphones are around the teenager’s neck and her expression is set to unamused. She turns to me and says, “So you decided to come, huh?”

“I was thirsty and there was nothing to drink in my apartment.”

Lulu snorts.

“Riley, tell me something.” Shanti grins. “Did you know he might be here?”

“Maybe,” I admit with a frown. “Yeah.”

“Uncle Con’s been paying me to leave food at her door. Stuff with vegetables hidden in it like she’s three.” Lu groans. “I can’t believe they’re playing Jenga. This town is so boring. Later.”

“Well, well, well. Seems like someone does still care about your malnourished ass.”

I just shrug. “Who knows?”

Shanti’s eyes light up and she says, “Now here’s the thirst trap we need. Hey there, Angus. Good to see you.”

I don’t swallow my tongue. But it’s a near thing. Angus is a lumberjack wet dream come to life. A modern-day Viking come to pillage the single locals’ hearts and minds. We’re talking Calvin Klein underwear model levels of hotness. From his crooked smile to his ridiculously buff body. His dark hair is back in a man bun and a neatly trimmed beard lines his square jawline.

“I heard something about speed dating?”

“You’ve come to the right place,” says Shanti. “Angus is a local and his interests include the hiking club and Kurosawa film nights at our local cinema. Riley is a writer who recently moved to Port Stewart and enjoys long walks on the beach and cheese.”

“Cheese is important.” He gently shakes my hand in his big handsome paw. ’Tis a pity my heart is spoken for. Having this dude smile down at me with such warm regard is a lot. He smiles and asks, “What do you write?”

I am not going to lie. My days of hiding what I do are done. “Romance.”

“Romance?” His thick brows go up in surprise. “Huh. Do you enjoy that?”

“Yes.”

He releases my hand and gives me the weakest smile in existence. “Do you think you’d ever consider writing something different, Riley?”

“Why would I do that, Angus?”

“No reason. I was just curious. So…” Which is when he looks past my shoulder and up. Like someone is standing behind me doing a little looming. The way Angus’s body language freezes up. “Hey, man.”

“Is something wrong with her writing romance?” asks Connor.

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