Page 30 of Love Over Easy

The second margarita is pretty good and I’m mellowing out. The taste is growing on me. I also discover after two drinks that I’m an over-sharer with a loose tongue. Which could prove embarrassing since I’m the current topic of conversation.

“Come on, Shyanne. Do you expect us to believe you are living with David and haven’t used his handcuffs?” Suzie asks with an infectious giggle that multiplies around the circle.

I shift in my seat, wondering if girlfriends have any secrets or if they talk about everything. I’m not comfortable with that. “I didn’t say that. Yes, he did handcuff me…” I jump when the girls give a combined scream of approval.

“I always thought he was kinky. Hello, Mr. Grey,” Melissa says with a wink and a fist bump to Jennifer.

Brandy nods and adds her two cents’ worth. “I think it’s the way he’s always so alpha about everything. And his eyes. He seems like he’d take charge in the bedroom.”

“Please say he’s good in bed,” Suzie leans forward to ask and almost falls out of her chair.

Their questions come from all directions and it’s hard to process. “Wait a minute. You didn’t let me finish. He did handcuff me, but he also arrested me and put me in jail. Believe me, there was nothing sexual about it.”

“What!” they scream.

I go on to explain, “The first night I was on the island. He thought I was trying to break into a house, which I was, and he arrested me. It was just a misunderstanding and he let me go.”

Kimberly snorts. “He let you go right to his house.”

The others giggle and I rush to say, “But nothing happened. He just offered to let me stay in his guest room.”

“How did you get such a rocking bod?” Brandy asks. “You’re like a rock. Do you even have any cellulite? I could hate you for that, but you’re too nice and I really like you.”

I flinch. I don’t want to lie to them. I keep it as close to the truth as I can. “I’ve always been active. I work out a lot. I run for cardio and endurance training. But I also do a lot with weights and bag work.”

“Oh, my gosh! Like Hilary Swank in Million Dollar Baby?” Sadie shouts.

My eyes flash open at the woman boxer film reference. “I work out a lot. It’s not as boring if I do different things to switch it up.”

“We have a gym in town. Well, we have a place with a bit of exercise equipment. Bode said at one time they had a fighter that trained here. They left everything behind when they moved away. Now anyone that wants to can use it. Maybe you can start an exercise class. I’d sure join,” Kimberly says.

“Me too,” Suzie agrees

Melissa snorts. “My thighs would agree to join.”

Sadie chuckles and says, “I’ve always wanted to find my abs. Count me in.”

At one time I may have thought working out was enjoyable, but when it’s your job, the fun bleeds right out. I can’t think of anything I’d like to do less than train these women. “Yeah, maybe. I really don’t have the time now. What with the diner and all.”

I’m glad the conversation moves away from me. Jennifer is the next newbie to be interrogated. She and her younger sister recently moved onto the island and opened a coffee shop.

“Has anyone caught your eye?” Suzie asks.

“Oh, no. No. No. No,” she repeats and shakes her head for emphasis. “I think every single man on the island stops by at least once a day, giving me much more info about themselves than a barista needs to know.”

I’ve had that too. Men I don’t even know stop by the café offering to help. I take them up on the offer, but I decline their invitations for more. Anyone that persists, David runs off. A grin nudges my lip upward.

“Have you met Case Murphy? He’s Bode’s brother and runs Murphy Garage,” Kimberly asks Jennifer.

Jennifer shakes her head. “I don’t believe I have. But I could have. There have been so many. Really I don’t mind because they always buy coffee.”

“You would have remembered if you’d met Case. He’s hot city. Tall, ruggedly handsome. Tattoos on his arms.”

Melissa is correct. Case is one gorgeous man. But he has nothing on David. Where Case is Charlie Hunnam, David is more Chris Hemsworth.

“We’ve all wondered if he has more tattoos,” Melissa says with a wink.

“And their exact location,” Suzie adds.

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