Page 38 of A Soldier's Return

“What a great view,” he said, immediately drawn to the wall of windows facing the ocean.

“Killer, isn’t it?” She moved to stand beside him and admired the rugged coastline outside the sunroom. “This is my favorite spot in the house. Sometimes I can’t believe I really live here.”

He glanced down at her features, pretty and open and genuine, and had to battle down a fierce urge to kiss her again. It would be so easy. He only had to close the small space between them and lean his head down just so. He could almost taste her, fresh and sweet as ripe strawberries.

His head dipped slightly, but he checked the movement just before he would have followed through on the powerful urge.

No. They were friends. That was all they could ever be. Melissa had enough complications in her life right now with her ex-husband moving back. She didn’t need somebody with Eli’s kind of baggage.

He was aware of her small swallow, of the way her gaze shifted from his eyes to his mouth and back again so quickly he wondered if he had imagined it.

It wasn’t a good idea to be here alone with her in her warm, comfortable apartment. Not when she was everything he wanted and everything he couldn’t have.

“We should go.”

Was that disappointment he saw in her eyes? No. He was imagining that, too.

“We should. We wouldn’t want to miss Tiffany in all her glory. Just give me a minute.”

“Great.”

He turned back to the window, hoping he had the strength to keep his hands off her all night.

She wasn’t sure why, but Eli Sanderson seemed as uncomfortable as she felt as they walked into The Haystacks tavern.

Why? If she was the reason, what had she done to make him so edgy?

She had a feeling he was regretting whatever impulse had prompted him to invite her out tonight to hear Tiffany’s band. She should have backed out when she had the chance. She could have made up some excuse, but she had been so grateful for the distraction she hadn’t really thought through how awkward Eli might find it to spend time socially, after their heated kiss the day before.

It was too late now. He had invited her and she had accepted. The only thing she could do now was to make the best of it and try to relax and enjoy herself.

“Have you been here before?” she asked.

He looked around the tavern, with its brick walls and weathered plank bar. “Not recently. I may have stopped in with friends a time or two when I would come back to town during college, but I didn’t have a lot of time for barhopping.”

The Haystacks was one of those rare drinking establishments that didn’t try to be trendy or hip. Its simple unpretentiousness made it popular with tourists and locals alike.

“It’s not a bad place. They host some fun events, and on Saturday nights they feature all local musicians.”

The place was already crowded and Tiffany’s band was setting up on the small stage in the corner of the tavern. Eli managed to find them a table near the stage. He pulled a chair out for her and waited until she was settled before he sat across from her.

“I probably should warn you, I’m not much of a drinker,” he admitted. “I’ve seen too many guys who spent every moment of their R & R hammered.”

“You might change your mind and order a drink once the music starts.”

He laughed roughly, a sound that seemed to ripple down her spine. “You’ve built it up so much, I can’t wait.”

“I shouldn’t have said that. I’m sorry. Tiffany actually has an excellent voice. I’m just not sure Puddle of Love is the best venue for her talent.”

“Her band is called Puddle of Love.”

“I tried to warn you. It’s not that bad. I’ll be quiet and let you judge for yourself.”

She ordered a mojito while Eli ordered one of the locally brewed ales.

She waved at a few people she knew from his father’s practice and another couple who had gone to high school with her.

Their order came quickly. She sipped at her drink, then sat back in her chair. “Now that you’ve been here a week, what do you think?” she asked, making conversation. “Are you ready to stick around in Cannon Beach and go into practice with your dad?”

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