Page 26 of Hot Saltwater Kisses

Nia knew the owner Diego, because of course she did, so we stopped by the counter for a few bites of small talk. Then we found Logan and Tom at a table in the back, bathed in the glow of a yellowing pendant lamp.

“You made it!” Tom flashed a grin as he nudged out a chair for Nia. She sat down next to him, close enough to suggest that yes, this was a date, and no, they wouldn’t bother pretending otherwise. A quick round of greetings later, and they got right into a debate about how Dominica’s Kwéyòl, while related to French, differed in its rhythmic flow and sing-song quality. Me, I’d slid onto the chair next to Logan’s, shifting under the bright focus of his gaze.

“You cut your hair,” he said, voice low.

“It was veering into mad scientist territory.” My casual tone was belied by the warmth creeping up my neck.

“You cut yourhair,” Logan repeated, a smirk tugging at his lips.

I picked up a laminated menu for something to do with my hands. “It’s a thing people do, Logan.”

“So I’ve heard.” He paused for a beat, then leaned closer as if to share a secret. “You look good. Not that you didn’t before.”

He did, too—his usual tousled hair tamed a little, a white shirt clinging to his broad shoulders, offsetting his tan. My rumpled T-shirt and faded jeans felt abruptly inadequate.

Oh, hey, and there it was again—that gut punch of self-consciousness. Old doubts and insecurities that I’d thought I’d buried deep, rearing their ugly heads.

I inhaled, focusing on my menu. “Thanks.”

We were quiet for a few seconds as I stared at the food choices and Logan kept watching me. His small, pleased grin itched under my skin.

“What?” I snapped.

“Nothing. Just…” He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a near-whisper that barely carried over the sizzle of frying fish and the soft strumming of a guitar from a hidden speaker. “You’re a bit hard to read sometimes, you know? So I’m flattered you made an effort.”

“Oh, get over yourself.” My voice came out harsh, a knee-jerk reaction to the acid burn of embarrassment in my stomach. I regretted it an instant later.

A shadow passed over Logan’s face, the playful spark in his eyes replaced by a frown. “Right, then.” Just that, said in a low, careful tone.

Fuck.

“Sorry, Logan.” I dropped my gaze to the table’s swirly flower pattern. “I’m kind of an asshole. In case it wasn’t obvious.”

A beat of silence followed before he sighed. “You know, somehow, I don’t think you really are.” The words were surprisingly gentle. “Just… oversensitive about some stuff.”

He wasn’t wrong. It was just an overdue haircut, after all—I hadn’t twisted myself into a pretzel shape to please him, for God’s sake.

“I mean, what’s the big deal?” he echoed my thoughts. “Nothing wrong with a bit of effort. I put on a nice shirt for you, see? And some product in my hair. Hell, I even used a face mask earlier.”

Somehow, it was enough to loosen the tension in my gut. I glanced over. “Dude, that’s kinda gay.”

“Shocking,” he drawled.

I laughed, then sobered and ducked my head. “Yeah. Sorry about that minor freak out. I’m a little out of practice with…” I wiggled my fingers at him. “This.”

“Dating?” he asked, easy as you please.

“Yeah.”

“I can imagine. Not the most accepting culture, is it?”

It was a convenient excuse, and I ran with it. “Yeah, no. Being gay was considered a crime up until quite recently. Wasn’t really enforced—they don’t want a bad rep with the tourists. But the sentiment stands.”

He leaned back in his chair, openly studying me. “And still you chose this place. You could have gone anywhere.”

Even though it wasn’t a question, it invited me to comment. I could have taken the easy way out again, claimed it was all down to picking a familiar place. It wasn’t like I owed Logan any kind of truth—at best, this would be a summer fling, nothing serious.

The scents of the restaurant—garlic, thyme, and a hint of something sweet—wafted around us, blending with the tropical warmth. I rubbed a hand along my thigh. “Well, look. Dating was just about the furthest thing from my mind when I came here. So.”

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