Page 15 of The Harborer
“Private business likewhat?” she’d retorted under her breath. She’d been trying to bring down the volume and the tone of the conversation that had come at her out of nowhere, praying during the entire exchange that the surrounding crowd wouldn’t hear Micky’s ridiculous allegations. “I have no idea what your secrets are, Micky, because you don’t share them with me. So even if I wanted to ‘spill,’ I couldn’t.”
“You’re fucking him, aren’t you?”
She’d nearly dropped two full cups of coffee. “If this is a joke, it’s not funny.”
“I see how you look at him.”
“Oh, that’s rich coming from you.” Micky blatantly eyeballed and chatted up any female who crossed his path, whether Amy was standing next to him or not. They’d had plenty of arguments over the disrespect he routinely showed themandher.
“And how is it that I look at him?” she’d muttered against her better judgment.
“Like you can’t wait to get on your knees and suck his dick,” he’d sneered.
Instead of dropping the hot coffee, she’d nearly thrown it in his face. She couldn’t remember her exact words, but that’s when she’d told him to leave. Thank Gaia above he had because Amy wasn’t sure what she would have done if he’d kept spewing his filthy accusations at her. Murdermighthave been on the menu.
Right now, she was trying to slow her riotous pulse by telling herself the universe had just sent her a howler that screamed at her to get the hell out of the relationship.Leaving him is the right thing to do. Any doubts I had just got erased by that humiliating display.
When she got her breathing under control, she looked up. Cade gave her a watery smile, and she absently wondered if he’d found his upper limit last night; he reeked of the alcohol oozing from his pores. Oh, to be twenty-one and naive again.
Besides accusing Amy of lusting after Shane, Micky had berated her for socializing too much. She’d reminded him that a business ownershouldsocialize with her patrons. Shane and Reece were two of her best customers, and besides, Reece’s news wasbig. And it wasn’t as if she’d been “slacking” because Shane had stepped up and handed out coffees on her behalf the entire time they stood together—while working ashift, for Gaia’s sake.He’dnoticed Amy’s load and immediately helped without being asked. Then again, that was Shane, so of course he did. Thinking of his cool-headed demeanor helped calm her own, especially as she recalled the warm amusement playing in his soft brown eyes.
No, that description sounded too bland. His eyes were more like tiger’s-eye gemstones with a whisper of deep emerald when the light hit just right.
Gah! Where didthatcome from?
Was Micky right? Was she lusting after the deputy? Wait.Everyonethought Shane had striking eyes, right? Hadn’t she overheard his many admirers discuss their color—among his other fine attributes—in her coffee shop or the rec center or one of the other stores? Sure she had. She hadn’t come up with this fanciful description on her own.
Okay, now she was really losing it.Focus on what you’re doing before you burn yourself, dummy.She slid another paper cup from its stack, stuck it under the spigot, and pulled the little black handle. Repeated the motion. Over and over.
Had she let herself fall for the wrong man? Then again, Shane had never shown any interest in her. Would she have gone out with him if he had asked?Now you’re hallucinating, girlfriend. He never would have asked you out.Why couldn’t Micky be as helpful as Shane? He could have been walking around with a tray of his own or handing out java back at the tent or helping Cade fill more cups. When she’d suggested justthat, Micky hadreallygone off.“You’re not paying me, and I’m not some coffee bitch you can order around. This whole idea was stupid anyway! How the hell are you going to make any money if you’re handing out free shit?”
When had he become such a jerk? Or had he always been one and she’d worn blinders? No, he’d become more agitated lately, his fuse much shorter—ever since he’d asked her to put him on the deed to the Mountain Coffee building and she’d refused. When she’d turned the tables and asked ifhe’dputheron the deed to his house, he’d balked, calling her a whole list of unflattering names and claiming she didn’t love him. Of course he had.
Yes, he’d definitely been spinning more out of control. Didn’t mean she had to put up with it, though. And she wasn’t going to.
As for her business, he didn’t get it. At. All. Handing out coffee was a great marketing opportunity—kinda like handing out samples at Costco. Even if he didn’t understand her logic, why didn’t he just simply roll up his sleeves and work by her side? And why did he suddenly care about the health of her business anyway? He’d never paid much attention to it before, except when it came to the cash he could swipe from her register. Yeah, she knew about that too. She’d asked him if he was in financial trouble, and he’d gaslighted her.“No idea what you’re talking about. You’re always making up stuff.”
As today’s stinging rebuke sunk in, though, she began second-guessing herself. Had she screwed up by standing around talking to Shane and Reece instead of moving through the crowd?
No.Especially not after both men had commended her for her generosity.“You’re helping out SAR by keeping folks from developing frostbite in this brutal wind and cold,”Reece had kiddingly praised. Shane had agreed. She could freely admit she’d eaten it up.
It was also a chance to repay the residents of Fall River who’d supported her with their kindness and dollars these last many years. Being a community-first member was always a no-brainerfor Amy, especially now that she sat on the town council. She’d been appointed, not elected, so she had to prove that the appointment—by Charlie Hunnicutt, no less—had been a wise one. This was her time to showcase what she could do for Fall River, transplant or not. Micky knew all of this because she’d confided her worries and doubts to him. He’d reacted with a grunt.
And now her pulse spiked again. Instead of being a helpmate today, he’d yelled at her! In front of a crowd! In front of Cade!
It doesn’t matter if handing out free coffee is a bad idea, or if I’m doing it for my own selfish aims. Micky has no right to dress me down like that, especially in front of my employee and my customers.
Hot coffee splashed, burning her hand. “Shit!”
“You okay?” Cade squeaked.
“Fine.” She glanced up and noticed Shane talking to Dixie. He caught her eye and smiled that easy smile of his. But even from here, she noted something akin to sympathy in his gaze. He’d probably seen Micky chew her out. She should have been mortified, but her tattered psyche was soothed instead. And holy Gaia, Shanedidhave beautiful eyes, even from a distance. Intense yet kind at the same time, with the power to hold you in their beam and simultaneously melt your knees.
Whoa, weird.She quickly ducked her head, pulled in a cleansing breath, and smoothed her jerky movements.
Now’s not the time to dwell on hurts you can’t control and people you can’t have. Go to your happy place.
This was one of the most important events of the year, one everyone had turned out for, and she was here in the thick of it. Even jerkface Bruno Keating was here, smiling along with the rest of the crowd, acting as if he was a Fall River insider. Much as she wanted to, she couldn’t fault him for wanting a taste of the big moment, though. No one wanted to be left out of the celebration.
