Page 30 of A Shore Fling
My eyebrows dip lower. “Fuck no. Why would you think that?”
“We all do.”
Drew approaches the table, sliding onto his stool. “Why do you both look so serious?”
“You think I’ve been celibate since my divorce?”
His head slowly nods up and down. “Yeah. Haven’t you?”
“Fuck no. I’m discreet, not a monk.” I pinch the bridge of my nose and shake my head. “Why the fuck has this been a topic of discussion between you guys? I couldn’t care less about your sex lives.”
“Unless it involves Nina,” Jordan points out.
As tempting as removing the smug look from his face might be, I resist the urge because he’s right.God, why must he be right?
My feelings for Nina are complicated. I’m drawn to her natural beauty and her sense of humor. She’s quick-witted and fun to spar with verbally. However, she’s too high-maintenance for me. She’s the type of woman who spends hours getting ready for a simple night out. Jessica was the same, only back then I didn’t see that habit as a red flag like I now do.
Reed wanders back over accompanied by the three ladies. Standing, I find some vacant stools and move them around our table.
Willow and Ginger sit on the other side of the table between Reed and Drew. Nina starts to sit down between me and Jordan, then pauses, flicking a cautious glance at me.
“What?” I ask.
“Just making sure you’re not going to yank it out from under me.”
“I might’ve thought about it.” I wink.
She rolls her eyes and settles on the wooden seat, placing her wine glass on the table. The scent of her delicate perfume teases my nose, tempting me to lean in closer as I sit on my stool once more.
“So, Nina, what do you think of our little slice of the coast so far?” Jordan asks, leaning against the stool’s backrest with a grin.
She tucks a shiny lock of her hair behind her ear. “Well, I haven’t seen a single rat, I can walk at a leisurely pace without getting mowed over by a crowd, and the bartender didn’t charge me twenty dollars for my glass of wine. So, no complaints so far.” She casts a side-eye my way, her lips teasing at a smile. “Well, almost none.”
Jordan grins but remains silent.
“That’s some high praise coming from a New Yorker,” I say.
She turns her head toward me. “Why does it seem like you think that’s a bad thing?”
“You city folk aren’t exactly known for doling out compliments.”
“And you are?” she challenges.
“Nope. Only when they’re earned.”
Jordan laughs. “Sounds like she’s got you figured out, Trav.”
Nina sips her wine, her eyes watching me over the rim of her glass. “What does it take to earn one of your elusive compliments?”
“I don’t have a set list, but if I did, not shipwrecking boats would be at the top.”
“Ooh, the grumpy, sarcastic harbormaster makes his return.”
“And here I was trying to tone it down for you.”
Jordan chuckles and mutters into his beer, “There is no toning it down or turning it off.”
I send a scowl his way. “Who asked you?”
