Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 17021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 85(@200wpm)___ 68(@250wpm)___ 57(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 17021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 85(@200wpm)___ 68(@250wpm)___ 57(@300wpm)
There's a beat of nervous indecision as I grab my bag and head for the door. I'm going to a party alone where I know exactly one person and his best friend. This is either brave or pathetic, and I'm not sure which.
But Logan will be there. That's enough.
Shore Thing is transformed when I arrive. The name still makes me laugh, and it's partly why I went there earlier. I love bad puns. And after meeting Logan, even briefly, I have to say I reckon it's on-brand for him.
String lights crisscross overhead, casting everything in warm golden light. The music is pure 1960s: surf rock mixed with crackly oldies that make you want to dance. My grandpa's fave songs to play on weekends.
People are scattered across the patio in vintage swimwear and high-waisted everything, drinks in hand, laughing over the sound of waves.
The bar is packed and alive, and I scan the crowd looking for Logan's dark hair and broad shoulders.
I don't see him right away, and part of me is terrified I might spot him with someone else, because I'm pretty sure I'm not the first tourist to find him hot.
"You must be Hannah."
I turn toward the voice and find the bartender from earlier—Eli. Up close, he's even more striking. Green eyes, dark blonde hair that looks like he just rolled out of bed, and those full sleeve tattoos.
"And you're Eli. The one who watched Logan make a fool of himself earlier."
"Guilty." He slides a towel over his shoulder and leans against the bar. "Though to be fair, Logan doesn't make it a habit of making a fool of himself. That's why it was fun to watch. Plus, you enjoyed watching him too."
Heat inches up my neck. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Right. And I'm sure that kiss on the beach was just a friendly gesture."
"You saw that?"
"Half the island saw that. The only other woman Logan is often seen with is Delilah, and that's because she stocks his favorite beer." Eli's grin is infectious. "What can I get you? It's on the house."
"Shirley Temple for now, and when you say on the house, is Logan paying for that?"
"Yep." Eli reaches for the grenadine and starts building the drink. "He'd have my head if he found out I let you pay."
"But that's bad for business."
"He won't go bankrupt, I promise you." Eli slides the drink across the bar, complete with a cherry and everything. "So, accountant, right? Logan mentioned it."
"Among other things." I take a sip, and it's perfect—not too sweet, not too tart. "What else did Logan mention?"
"That you're funny, beautiful, and leaving in a week." Eli's expression shifts slightly, more serious but still warm. "Two out of three ain't bad odds for my boy."
"He said that?"
"Not in those words, no, but he kept stammering when I asked about you, and when I said you were beautiful, he stared daggers at me until I was sure he would slam me to the floor."
"No way."
"Yes way. But yeah, the only actual words he said were accountant and leaving in a week."
There's something in his tone that makes me look at him more carefully. He's vetting me, I realize, but not in a hostile way. I can't exactly blame him. He's Logan's best friend, and maybe he just wants to make sure I'm not going to break his heart and disappear into the sunset.
The thing is, I probably am going to disappear into the sunset. That's what happens when your vacation ends. But I don't think Logan is expecting anything different. He knows the deal upfront.
"He seems like he can handle himself."
"Oh, he can. Doesn't mean I don't worry." Eli wipes down a glass, still watching me. "He's a good guy. Probably the best guy I know, actually. Just ... don't make him fall in love with you unless you plan on sticking around."
"I think you're giving me too much credit. Way too much."
"Am I?" Eli raises an eyebrow. "Because the way he was looking at you earlier? The way he's been pacing around this bar for the last hour, waiting for you to show up? I've never seen Logan nervous about anything in his life, and he once had a presentation in front of the dean and our school president."
This is dangerous territory. I was already resigned to the fact that I might hook up with him, but staying here at the island? I don't think so. I'm a city girl, through and through.
"Where is he, anyway?"
"Probably changing out of his work clothes. He'll be down in" —Eli's eyes shift to something behind me, and his grin turns wicked— "Speak of the devil."
I spin around, and Logan is walking toward the bar. He's changed out of the shorts and t-shirt from earlier into dark jeans and a white button-down with the sleeves rolled up. His hair is still messy, but there's something different about him now.