Page 70 of Resting Beach Face
“He’s just shy,” Jasmine said. “Give him time to warm up to you.”
Danny raised his eyebrows at me. “What do you think?”
“Why are you asking me? I don’t know anything.”
“Clearly. If you were smart, you’d snatch up Cash before someone else does.”
“I’m not— We’re not…”
Danny smiled at Jasmine. “I’ll be back later to work out the details on the business arrangement. Unless Abe wants to stop by.” He winked. “You all know where to find me.”
He sauntered out the front door, leaving me confused.
“What just happened?” I asked as Abe returned with the carry-out box of pastries.
“That’s what I’d like to know,” he rumbled quietly.
It was the most words I’d heard him speak.
His sister snorted. “I think you’re both hopeless.”
Well, I couldn’t fault her logic. I paid for the order, wished them both a good morning, and headed back to the B&B.
The whole way there, Danny’s words haunted me.
If you were smart, you’d snatch up Cash before someone else does.
But how could I snatch up a man that I couldn’t please for long—one that I was planning to leave in a matter of weeks?
Answer: I couldn’t.
But the idea of his smiles and his sweetness and his warmth—even his silly flirtations—being directed at someone else sat in my stomach like a heavy rock.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Cash
“I hate you!”Kat shrieked.
A door slammed down the hall, followed by my dad’s nasty chuckle.
“Why do you wind her up like that?” Mom said in exasperation, her voice drifting back from the living room. “She’s a teenage girl.”
Great, Dad was picking at Kat again. Lately, it seemed like his favorite pastime.
“Exactly,” Dad muttered as I stepped out of my bedroom. “She needs to know what to expect from guys. Look at Cash. He just fucks around all the time. No respect for anyone, even himself.”
I reached the living room, my mouth running before my brain could think better of it.
“Because you’d know a lot about self-respect. Don’t worry, Dad, if you want to warn Kat off guys, all she has to do is look at you.”
Mom winced, and Dad’s glazed eyes narrowed on me. “You watch your mouth. I put a roof over your head.”
“No, actually, that’s Mom and me. I may be a fuckup, but I pay more bills than you do.”
“Get the fuck out of here,” he snarled.
“Gladly.” I stormed down the hall and pushed open Katelyn’s door. “I’m going out. Come with me. It’s going to be one of those nights.”
