Page 55 of Shifting Sands

I’m just looking forward to the next morning like this one.

And the one after that.

After cleaning up the dishes, we shower together before I have to reclaim my shirt and get dressed. Willis is expecting me back at the shop with his boat and ready to work since the correct parts came in yesterday.

I kiss Brandee goodbye and head down to the dock. I’m untying the boat when I hear my name being called. I look up to see Sebastian descending the steps at the back of his home. He makes his way over to me.

“I see you had a good night,” he says as he takes in the boat with the blanket, cooler, and empty wine bottle.

I nod. “I did indeed.”

“I just wanted to let you know—warn you really—that the girls are planning a party to celebrate Parker and Audrey’s engagement.”

“Okay, that sounds nice,” I say.

“Yeah, well, they want to have it at Whiskey Joe’s so they can dance,” he continues.

I nod. “That shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll have the VIP section reserved for them,” I say, not understanding what he’s getting at.

“That’d be great. I just wanted you to know that they’re inviting Brandee.”

I look up at him as it dawns on me. I need to talk to Brandee before that happens.

“Yeah, I told Avie to fill Audrey in on your situation, but I know that keeping it up may be tricky with both of you there and you not stuck behind the bar. I just see a million ways it could go sideways.”

“I appreciate the heads-up. When is this party happening?” I ask.

“Tonight.”

Brandee

When I arrived in North Carolina for what I thought would be a couple of months of quiet, boring reflection, if someone had told me that I would end up getting buzzed on tequila shooters with five women in a rowdy country music bar just two weeks later, I would have laughed.

But here I am.

Tipsy. Sweaty. Grinning from ear to ear.

Whiskey Joe’s is packed tonight, warm with bodies, beer, and the twangy guitar riffs that vibrate in my rib cage. The entire crew is here—Lennon and Amiya, Sebastian and Avie, Wade and Eden, Parker and Audrey, Anson and Tabby—and they’ve all welcomed me into their circle like I’ve always been one of them.

Especially Audrey, whom, along with Tabby, I just met today. She and Brew are extremely close; apparently, they’ve worked together for over a decade, so I guess my theory that he was bartending temporarily to earn extra cash was off the mark.

“Here you go,” Audrey says, handing me a lime wedge and another shot glass filled with clear liquid.

“Bottoms up!” Amiya shouts above the music, and we all take the shot.

I like them. I really like them.

It’s strange though. I’ve only known Brew for a couple of weeks, but somehow, I’ve fallen into his world. It just kinda happened—fast and effortless.

I’m definitely feeling the tequila.

Audrey loops her arm through mine as we wait for another round. “You’re holding your own, Brandee. You might be the only person I’ve seen keep up with Amiya and not need resuscitation.”

“You haven’t met any of my friends yet,” I say.

Yet?It slips out so easily, like we’re going to be in each other’s lives forever.

Amiya lifts her shot glass with a wicked grin. “She’s got that Southern-girl grit. I respect it.”

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