Page 123 of Release Me

“You’re close with Henry Wolf’s wife?” I blurt, interrupting their little domestic spat.

“You could say that.” Connor snorts, throwing a thumb Ronan’s way. “This one was her bridesmaid.”

“Man of honor,” Ronan corrects dryly.

“You were inherwedding party.” It all makes sense now. He’s not friends with Henry Wolf. He’s friends—good friends, clearly—withAbbiWolf.

Ronan peers at me curiously while Connor slaps Solo cups in a row on the counter like a petulant child mid tantrum. “We’re all having one.” He cracks the bottle of tequila. “Even you, Cap.”

My head shake is firm. “Sorry, I’d lose my charter license, and I can’t afford that. I’m already down one boat as it is.”

“You haven’t found anyone to replace AJ yet?” Ronan asks, his tone suddenly somber.

“Nope. A few prospects, but no good ones.”

“Wait a minute.” Connor’s eyebrows arch. “AJAJ?”

Ronan’s nod is almost imperceptible.

Connor’s attention swings to me. “He workedhere?”

“He was one of my captains until he quit on me. Why? How doyouknow him?”

“I’m his supervisor at Wolf. You know, because of thatextra responsibilityI didn’t ask for?” A sharp glare is thrown Ronan’s way. “He’s about to know the toilets and dumpster real well.” Connor rests his elbows on the counter and levels Ronan with a steady look. “And how doyouknow him again?”

“I told you. I don’t … directly.”

Connor studies his friend for a lengthy moment. “Chained to your desk thewholetime, huh?” There’s accusation in his tone.

Ronan’s lips twitch, and I sense an entire conversation hidden within that brief exchange.

“Motherfucker,” Connor mutters, pouring a round of shots. He picks up a lemon. “What do you say to me doing a shot off you, Cap?”

“I say …” I falter, not expecting such a direct request. “It’s a little early in the day.” And it’s been a decade since I’ve let strangers lick me in the name of tequila.

“Yeah? What about Ronan? Would you let him?” His blue eyes are playful, knowing.

I’d let him do that and more, I silently admit, as I feel my cheeks burn. And I think Connor has somehow figured that out too, which means Ronan never told him about us. Should I be insulted or pleased? “Still much too early.”

“Later, then.” Connor winks and, collecting five Solo cups, drops his brawny body into the water with a gasp. He cuts through the shallows toward the group with powerful thighs.

“Is healwayslike that?” I watch with a mixture of repulsionand wonder as Connor dips down to draw a line with his tongue across Katie’s cleavage before downing his tequila. The rest of the group cheers as they do their round.

“Only while he’s conscious.” Ronan rubs his face with his palms.

Without his sunglasses on, I can see the dark circles under his eyes. A twinge of sympathy stirs for him. “Sounds like you’ve been really busy.” Still … too busy to text me? I don’t buy it.

“It’s my first day off since I got to Mermaid Beach. I wasn’t expecting house guests and a party. I was planning on sleeping.” He pauses. “And coming to see you.”

“Sure, you were.” I pretend to survey the surrounding scene.

“Look, I’m in a weird place in my life, and I?—”

“You comin’ in, Casanova?” Connor hollers as he cuts through the water toward the beige thong-clad beauty.

Ronan groans. “If it means you’ll leave me alone for five minutes.” Whatever he was about to tell me is lost with the interruption.

“He really can’t handle being away from you.”

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