Page 15 of Turnabout Is Fair Cosplay
Mike smiles. “Well, I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before you’ve secured exactly what you want.”
We find an empty stretch of the pier and watch as the tide comes in and crashes against the wooden pillars below.
“What if I don’t know what I want?”
An intensity flickers in Mike’s eyes. “Careful, Miss McKinney. Devils might take your words as an invitation.”
“Devils?” I laugh.
“‘Hell is empty, and all the devils are here.’”
I’m too captivated by Mike’s charm to stop and interrogate him, but did he knowingly quote Shakespeare’sThe Tempestjust now?
Mike leans against the railing. “Some would try to convince you that what you want is, in fact, what they want.”
“Really?”
“Truly,” Mike says so earnestly I might actually swoon. But later. Right now, I’m having too much fun.
“Can you give me a for instance?”
“For instance, some might use all their cunning to persuade you that what you want is to spend the rest of your evening walking on this beach with a scoundrel who is determined to keep you up all night…” Mike pauses and seems to be choosing his words carefully.
I lean in closer, resting my chin on my hand. “Talking?”
“Exactly.” His eyes narrow before a smile tugs at the corners of his lips. “Others would drag you to every last restaurant on this boardwalk, using each menu as an excuse to prolong the evening. ‘Oh, the small plates are better farther down. No, we have to get the entrée back up the road. Oh, the only dessert worth having is a forty-five minute walk away.’”
“I think I’d see through that.”
“Maybe, but the lava cakes at this bakery I know in Bird Rock are legendary. They’re usually only open from five a.m. to noon, but the owner hosts a dessert night for the local crowd every Thursday. And if I can’t convince you with my description of rich tempered chocolate, then maybe the live music scene can get you the rest of the way.”
“Jazz guitar?”
“And piano some nights. Dancing and dessert. It’s a good time. Especially if we get drinks at JRDN, tapas at Costa Brava, followed by a table at the Fishery for halibut.”
“That sounds delicious.”
“It is. Every corporate lawyer should try it at least twice in her life. Preferably in April. Preferably with me.”
“I…” Want nothing more than to take this man’s hand and spend the rest of the night eating, walking, laughing, and talking with him. But I can’t. I have work to do before those depositions in the morning. “Have to go. I’ve got an early morning tomorrow.”
“Well, should youwantto get a hold of me, you’ll know exactly where I am every weekend once the escape room opens next month.”
“What if I want to get a hold of you sooner?”
Mike leans in. “You’re resourceful. I’m sure you’ll figure out something.”
The sea breeze picks up. Mike tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear, and before he can pull away, I slide my hand on top of his. My lips part. Our hands linger. I’ve never been part of one of those cliché couples who stare deeply into each other’s eyes on the beach. But I have to say I now completely understand the appeal. My eyes drift closed as Mike brings his other hand up to my face. His hands are calloused. But so warm. Hopefully, his lips are even warmer.
That’s when his Apple Watch vibrates in my ear, and I realize I was about to kiss a man even though I can’t even remember his last name.
“Sorry,” Mike says, sounding as chagrined as I feel. “I swear I’m usually not this in demand.” He sighs. “I have to take this call.”
“It’s okay. I need to get going anyway. Traffic.”
He half smiles. “Yeah.”
We left it at that. He didn’t even say goodbye after he picked up the call. Just nodded as I awkwardly waved when I turned around at the end of the pier. It was a sign I should have recognized.
