Page 18 of Tangled Up

“Looks like you’re not the only one getting around town today.”

My jaw clenches, and it’s the dumbest thing in the world for me to feel so angry. Jessica walks straight up to the table beside them and sits. “Hey, there, Beck. I heard you were back in town. Who’s this?”

Beck has the decency to sit straighter, moving his arm away from the girl’s hand. Too late! I’ve already seen it. I don’t even speak, blinking away from the embarrassment or whatever that expression in his sea-blue eyes is supposed to be.

“Hey, Jessica.” His low voice ripples through my bloodstream, but I study the ocean rolling calmly onto the shore. The breeze is cooler now that the sun is setting. “I’m just here for the weekend, checking on Mr. C.”

“And you are?” My bestie leans closer to the girl, giving her a pointed smile.

“Libby Morris. I just moved to Pleasure Island. I’m working for Rose.”

Pleasure Island. Figures.

“Are you supposed to be working right now, Libby Morris?” Jessica presses.

I give my bestie’s arm a gentle tug. “I need to go back and order something.”

“Hi, Carly.” Beck’s eyes meet mine and hold. “Good to see you again.”

“Yeah.” I force a smile, my eyes flickering from him to Libby, who’s watching us curiously. “Hey.”

I take another sip of my beer, and Jessica looks up at me. “Have you decided what you want?”

“I don’t know. I’m not so quick to try new things.” My gaze levels on Beck, and his dark brow lowers.

“You should try the Green with Envy. I think it suits you,” Libby quips, and when our eyes meet, I can feel the fire shooting from mine.Is she messing with me?

“Thanks for the rec. Can I get you guys anything? What are you having, Beck? A Buttface Amber?”

Jessica chokes on her sip, and I turn on my heel, going back around to the food truck window. I don’t have time for some little girl thinking she’s all that because a guy I used to know is up in her business.

The customer ahead of me moves away, and I scan the menu quickly. “I’ll have the Caprese Grilled Cheese for here and the Getting Silly Chicken Salad on a bed of greens to go.”

If Aunt Viv decides she doesn’t want it, I’ll have it tomorrow for lunch. Rose quickly taps in the total, and I feel a warmth swirl at my back.

“I thought you were getting me another beer.” Beck’s low voice makes me step forward, quickly turning my back to the truck. “A Buttface Amber?”

His eyes sparkle, and my cheeks flush.Damn him. I chew my lip as my eyes rise higher, up the lines of his chest that are visible through the thin cotton tee, to the hint of a smile teasing at his lips. Cocky bastard.

“I wasn’t sure if you preferred the Buttface Amber or the Smartass pale ale.”

His low chuckle makes my stomach squeeze, but Rose’s voice is all business. “Sixteen fifty, and you can tell your friend her order’s up.”

I turn to pass her a twenty. “I’ll take it to her.”

Rose hands me my change, and I drop it in the tip jar before grabbing the plastic tray holding Jessica’s paper-wrapped sandwich, grateful for something to get me out of here.

Beck orders another beer, but I’m around the truck before I hear his selection. The Buttface Amber is actually on the menu, but I made up the Smartass pale ale. If only there were such a thing, I’d get it for Miss “Green with Envy” Morris.

She’s watching me when I return to the table where Jessica’s sitting. “I got your food.”

“Don’t be mad if I don’t wait for you.” Jessica quickly rips off the paper and takes a bite of the ham and cheese Cuban, leaning back with a groan. “I haven’t eaten since breakfast.”

I take a seat on the other side of my friend, as far from Beck and Libby as possible. “I’ll get mine to go.”

Jessica nods, taking another big bite of the pressed sandwich. I take a long drink of my beer, doing my best to finish it without slugging. The less time I’m in this area, the better.

I can feel Libby’s eyes from the other side of the table, but I won’t look at her. She’s cute, and she’s clearly smart. I’m not really angry at her for noticing a handsome, well-built doctor and making a play for him, but I do want to dump her beer over her head.

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