Page 52 of Off the Hook

“Spence will be able to pull a hunny. Put him down for two,” Reef pointed at the paper Trouble was jotting notes on.

“Ava won’t have any trouble getting a date either,” Trevor grinned as he added two more.

I rolled my eyes at my footloose brothers. “I guess Dad and I will be the only ones without dates.” I sighed, totally not in the mood for this conversation. “Why are you guys even here?”

“We have a 9 am charter.” Kai nudged me with an elbow. “You never know, you might get lucky. If there’s a cute girl on the boat today, I’ll tell them what a great catch you are. You still have 3 weeks before the wedding to convince somebody you’re not an idiot!”

“You still need a date, moron,” I laughed. “Why wouldn’t you ask her for you?”

“If she’s not cute enough for me, I’ll send her your way.”

“I’ve got a better idea…” Trouble snickered. “Sit in on a gig with Alex’s band. Chicks dig musicians. Plus you can finally ask them about playing the reception.”

A pang stabbed me with the memory of Faith the last time I’d played with them, but I did my best to ignore it. “You seriously want me to pick up a random groupie to bring to your wedding?”

“Suit yourself,” he shrugged. “Be Dad’s date.”

Dad chuckled as he turned another pancake onto the steaming pile. “There are worse things.”

“No offense, bro, but a date for your wedding is the least of my worries. And women are the last thing on my mind.”

The room went quiet for a moment, the light-hearted teasing gone. Dad looked up, concerned. But in true dad fashion, he didn’t say a word and just kept cooking. I studied my coffee, wondering how I became the grumpy old man of the family. I missed Faith.

CHAPTER 27

FAITH

The mirror wasn’t kind, showing the dark circles under my eyes that my concealer couldn’t quite cover. The sleepless nights were wearing on me. “This is as good as it gets,” I muttered to myself, brushing my lashes with the final strokes of mascara. The prospect of dinner with a friend should have cheered me up, but it was the last thing I wanted to do.

Laura texted when she was outside, and wore a big smile and a tiny dress as she waved from her red Mustang convertible.

Settling into the passenger seat, I asked, “To what do I owe this impromptu visit?”

“You’re just lucky I met a hot guy at the Islander when I was down here last time. He’s working tonight.”

“When? And why didn’t you tell me?”

“The night before I left. And because I wasn’t sure if it was going anywhere.”

“Well, is it?”

“Maybe… we’ll see,” she shrugged with a grin. “But the good news is that he can get me a room when they’re not sold out, so I can come visit.”

I gave her a look. “You can come visit anytime. You know you can stay with me!”

Laura raised a brow as she was backing out of my driveway. “Um, you have a one bedroom. And I don’t do couches.”

“For an admin clerk at the Miami PD, you’re awfully damn bougie.”

“I have standards,” she said indignantly. “And someday a knight in shining armor will whisk me away from that hell.”

“Shut up, you like your job,” I said, already feeling more relaxed.

“Unfortunately I only meet cops and criminals doing it.”

“Not great candidates for that knight position…” I conceded.

“This guy has potential though,” Laura grinned. “Who knows, I might end up down in the islands with you.”

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