“Good morning.”
He steps in beside me as I walk down our small pebbled driveway. “You heading into town?”
“Yup. You?” I don’t want to look at him. Afraid that when I do all I will see is him in his birthday suit. But I can’t resist the urge to see those gorgeous grey eyes again. I lift my head and meet his gaze. Why does he have to be so irresistibly cute?
“Yup. We don’t get a lot of newcomers ‘round here. Where you from?”
“All over,” I lie through my teeth. Until recently I had never been out of the state of Florida. Growing up we never vacationed. My dad was a workaholic though when I was eleven, I went to Universal Studios with a friend.
“You grow up in a military family?”
“My dad was a mechanic in the Army.” I don’t even know if that’s a real thing, but the lies just keep coming out of my mouth.
“What brings you to the Cove?”
I shrug. “Why not?”
He stops walking and annoyance flickers across his brow. “Not very forthcoming, are you?”
Spinning around to face him, I put a hand on my hip and arch my right brow at him. I need to steer him away from all the personal questions. “I don’t even know you. I’m not just going to give you my whole life story within five minutes of meeting you. Is this an interrogation because it feels like one?” I shake my head and start walking again with no idea of where I am even headed. I’m starving and need to start looking for a job. I don’t
bother to look over my shoulder to see if Calder is still behind me. I can feel his heated glare as he watches the sway of my hips as I strut annoyedly.
The guy is probably trying to be friendly, but I haven’t thought hard enough about what my actual story will be. This town is small enough that I will need to keep my facts straight. I need a notebook to write things down in. I should probably have a plan before I start applying for jobs. I have enough money to last me for a year if I am frugal. Writing was always my real passion growing up, but Chris thought my wanting to write for a living was foolish. I had a full ride to college and blew it off because Chris happened. Because I got pregnant. Because my dad kicked me out and I didn’t know how I could go to school and raise a baby.
In the end none of that matters now. My father died last year and left everything to his new wife. A woman he married after he wrote me off. And now Chris is…I don’t want to think about it.
“Hey.” Calder catches up to me. “I wasn’t trying to be rude. I think we’re getting off on the wrong foot.”
“As opposed to the right,” I tease, and he grins. A faint red streak colors his cheeks. “It’s fine.”
We continue to walk down the sidewalk into town in a much-welcomed silence.
Calder stops me as I am about to cross the street. “How about a do over?” I know the less involved I become the better it will be but the way he is looking at me all sweet, warm, and inviting I can’t say no.
“Okay.”
“Dinner. Tonight. I’ll cook for you.”
“You’re on.” I want to smack myself. I should be saying no and putting distance between us. I need to remain anonymous. He’s just so good looking though. I’ve never had a guy like him pay me any mind.
My pulse spikes as he leans in closer than necessary. I get a whiff of his cologne. It has an airy nautical scent that makes my skin tingle. “Seven.”
I clear my throat. “Seven is good.”
“Any allergies I should be aware of?”
“Nope.”
“Okay.” Taking a step back he shoves a hand in his pocket. “I’ll see you tonight then.”
I tilt my head sideways and give him a small wave goodbye before crossing the street. When I look back Calder is still watching me. He makes me anxious and excited.
I find a small store and purchase a pen and notebook. If I am going to hunt for jobs, I need to get my facts lies in order.
Chapter 3
Calder