Page 150 of Square Deal

Austin had been a rookie with the Beaufort Fire Department at the time and had been a much-needed calming presence during my hysterics over my house catching fire. I had mellowed over the years, but not by much.

“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that Maddie set me up with you,” I said.

He cracked a smile. “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”

I sipped my water. “I guess we’ll see, won’t we?”

Austin leaned back in his seat. He was arguably more built than Isaac was. Honestly, he was almost as big as Steve.

There was a twinkle of amusement in his eyes. “I’m curious,” he said with a slow grin.

“About?”

“You.”

I laughed and looked out across the crystal water. I loved the view from the rooftop of Revanche. The wild horses were galloping along the shoal.Magnificent.

“What about me?”

“How a lovely lady such as yourself is still on the market.”

What was I supposed to say? I just got dumped, and you’re an experiment?

I laughed uncomfortably, but was saved when the server dropped by to get our drink orders. Austin opted for a local beer. I went with chardonnay.

When we were finally alone again, he leaned forward and placed his hand on mine. “Can I be honest with you?”

I nodded. “Please.”

“Maddie told me that you recently got out of a pretty serious relationship and that you need some help getting back out into the dating pool.”

“The dating pool needs a lifeguard,” I quipped.

He tossed his head back and let out a throaty laugh.

I cringed. “So this is a pity date?”

He shook his head. “No, ma’am—not in the slightest. In fact, I consider it an honor to have dinner with you.”

It was the ‘no, ma’am’that did me in. They say that manners maketh man, and Austin Hale was all man.

“Well.” I smiled. “We can’t let this free dinner go to waste, now, can we?”

He cocked his head and chuckled as he unfurled his linen napkin and draped it over his thigh. “My kinda woman.”

Dinner was amazing. Maddie and Scott outdid themselves. It was absolute culinary perfection.

I was stuffed, but there was no way in hell I was saying “no” to dessert.

The conversation had been just as good. It was easy to talk to Austin. We had boatloads in common. Lots of mutual friends and interests, and the inn was one of the sponsors for the annual first responders’ kickball tournament.

I didn’t hesitate to trash talk on behalf of the police department. After all, Steve and Chase brought home the championship trophy for the second year in a row.

When Austin suggested driving over the bridge to watch the sunset on the beach, I shrugged and decidedfuck it—why the hell not.

I held my high heels in one hand while we walked along the beach at Radio Island.

We didn’t have sparks—not even a sizzle. No smoke to be found.

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