Page 18 of Summer with a SEAL

Ryan delved into additional details as the men watched him move through more specs on the screen. Jacob felt uneasiness in his gut. They’d conducted plenty of rescue missions before. It wasn’t that that was bothering him. Briefly, Jessica’s face flashed through his mind.

Hell. No wonder he never dated. He barely even knew her yet couldn’t get her out of his head.

Chapter 7

“Another round?” Bailey asked the next night as Jessica sat at the crowded bar with her best friends. Music blared from the speakers, salty air drifted in through the open doors, and loud conversations went on around them.

“Sure, why not,” she said, watching as Bailey took their three empty glasses.

“All right. Three more margaritas, coming right up. I’m glad you ladies came tonight when I was on shift. There’s a good crowd here every night, but it’s nice to see some familiar faces.”

“It was worth the drive,” Michelle said, brushing her blonde hair back over her shoulder. “Those margaritas were fab.”

“Agreed,” Amy said. “They were to die for.”

“It’s my own special concoction,” Bailey said with a wink, her eyebrow ring gleaming in the overhead lights. “I only make them for my favorite customers.”

“We’ll drink to that,” Michelle giggled, her gaze drifting toward a group of rowdy guys standing nearby.

“This is definitely where all the action is,” Bailey said with a laugh. “The north end is quieter, up where you guys are renting a place. But we’ve got concerts down here, tons of popular bars. The locals all know where to come. As soon as the sun begins to set, this place is always packed.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll be back,” Michelle said confidently.

“Can I buy you ladies some drinks?” a deep voice asked, and the women all turned to see a sunburned guy leering at them.

“No thanks,” Amy said smoothly.

“Aw, come on,” he said, staggering closer. “I like brunettes and blondes, so you three are perfect.”

“Charming,” Jessica muttered, rolling her eyes.

“You’re not our type,” Michelle said, ducking out of the way as he reached out toward her.

Bailey nodded at someone in the distance, and Jessica watched in surprise as a beefy guy appeared out of nowhere, hauling the drunk guy away.

“Wait, I need another beer,” he slurred.

“More like a cab,” Michelle said. “How do you deal with idiots like that all day?”

“Nature of the job,” Bailey said with a shrug. “I love bartending and meet some cool people—it makes up for the drunks that come in here. Or the tourists that have a few too many.”

“Is that how you met Noah?” Jessica asked. “Or wait—you’re friends with Taylor.”

“Yes and yes,” Bailey chuckled. “She was dating Mason, so I sort of knew Noah. He happened to come in here one night to meet up with some friends, and the rest is history. Well, there was that time we got stranded on a deserted island together….”

“What?” Jessica asked, her mouth dropping open.

“It’s kind of a long story,” Bailey said. “And I need to get your drinks. Remind me to tell you about it later on,” she said, hurrying off with their empty glasses. The second bartender working tonight was rushing around as well, and Jessica watched as more people streamed in through the door.

“Well, that sounded crazy,” Amy said.

“Says the woman who nearly drowned,” Jessica pointed out.

“Touché. No more spontaneous evening swims for me. I’m going to have an unadventurous summer from here on out.”

“I’ll drink to that,” Michelle said.

A few minutes later, Bailey came back carrying three large margaritas. “Here we are, ladies,” she said, setting them down on the bar. “One frozen and two on the rocks with salt.”

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