Page 30 of The House Beyond the Dunes

“What about the guy flirting with the other bartender? What do you think about him?” Sully asks.

Not a good guy. He looks at Nikki as if judging a prize mare. Sometimes this game isn’t fun. “Not for me to say. Joey’s is a bit of a summer meat market, and we’re all adults.”

“But you don’t like him.” Sully sets down his mug, turning it until the handle is at a right angle to the bar’s edge.

“His money is green, and he’s not causing any trouble,” I say.

Sully nods slowly. “I get it. Can’t run down the paying customers.”

I set a fresh bowl of peanuts in front of him. “Let me know if you need anything.”

“Stevie, I’ll kick myself if I don’t ask this question.”

I grab a tumbler and polish it. “What’s that?”

His gaze raises slowly. “What are you doing later tonight?”

“Me? Closing about one a.m., cleaning up, and then dusting off my broomstick and flying home.”

He laughs. “Broomstick? Good or bad witch?”

“All in all, I’m notthatbad. But not exactlygood, either.” There’s something about him that lights a fire in me. I sense he’s as dangerous as Bourbon, but his kind of danger is controlled, careful, and sexy. You’d think I’d have no interest in men in general, or if I did, I would only go for the betas. Nope. Like Nikki, I’ve strung together my own brand of Mr.Wrongs.

“It’s a shame to be alone on a fine summer night.” He sounds like he almost means it.

“Is it?”

“Don’t you get tired of the solo act?”

“I don’t. But I suspect you do.”

“Not usually.” Maybe that’s what he tells himself, even though he’s happy to be alone.

“Chalk this up to the ex-wife’s remarriage. That’s got to hurt the pride, but this, too, shall pass.”

He raises his mug. “Amen.”

“What do you build?”

“Restoration work right now. It’s part-time.” A group of women behind him laugh loudly. “Want to look for a smaller crowd after you get off work?”

He doesn’t give up easily. No one likes a quitter. “Like me with you, kind of small?”

He’s not pushing, but he’s also not backing off. Points for him. I check my watch. Two hours until closing. His offer is tempting. Though temptation is weakness, sometimes I make an exception. “See you around one.”

Chapter Eight

LANE

Saturday, December 30, 2023

2:00 p.m.

My stomach grumbles, echoing in the quiet of the empty house. I should retrieve my things and get on the road. The ocean waves are crashing higher up on the shore, the clouds are thickening, and the air is heavy with moisture. But something in me says I’m not finished with this house.

I’m hungry and wish now I’d packed an apple or a peanut butter sandwich. There’s a grocery store on the main road in Corolla, but that means a thirty-minute drive. Devon said she planned to clean the refrigerator out tomorrow. Maybe it’s still stocked.

In the kitchen I’m still amazed at the large marble island, the stainless-steel appliances, and the herringbone backsplash. When I stepped in here yesterday, the modern beauty of the place stunned me.

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