Chapter Three
Wren
Theescalatingdroneof a motor stole my attention from the setting sun. I looked down at a small fishing boat as it came to the marina. It docked in front of the gas pumps and a tall, broad-shouldered man hopped out to fill his tank.
I propped my elbow up onto the railing, resting my chin on my palm as I watched the man below. Even from here, I could tell he was attractive. All lean, hard muscles that shifted under the white T-shirt he wore. I bit my lip as he bent over the boat’s motor.
My cheeks heated with my quickening heartbeats, and I glanced away from the man abruptly. Fear gripped my gut and my eyes darted around me, expecting the pain. The instant punishment.
But no one was there watching me. No one was going to hurt me. I let out a long breath, shaking my head to clear it. I was allowed to look at a guy if I wanted to. There wasn’t anything to be afraid of anymore.
Cautiously, my eyes sought him again. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d checked a guy out. My heart still raced but it wasn’t in fear anymore.
I couldn’t take my eyes off the man. His face was hidden beneath the brim of a camo baseball cap, but I was fairly sure it was as attractive as the rest of him. I hadn’t been here long, but there was something about Southern men. They had this confidence to them. A sense of surety and strength.
I was fully gawking at the man now, lost in wandering thoughts about what he might look like when he smiled…
A small, musical laugh interrupted my swooning. I jerked back from the railing and spun on my heel, finding Ellie behind me, a grin spread across her full lips.
“Eyeing the local cuisine, huh?” She let out another giggle.
My face burned with embarrassment. “Local cuisine?” I raised a brow at her choice of words.
Her eyes bounced toward the man. He was done pumping his gas and hopped back into the boat. A strange sense of disappointment that he’d be gone soon washed over me.
“That’s Atlas Ranes,” Ellie continued. “And yes, he’s quite delectable, but I wouldn’t get too close. He’s nice to look at, but he’s got some thorns.”
I tilted my head. “Thorns?”
She walked toward me, wrapping her manicured fingers around the railing, and looked down into the marina. “You know, he’s just…prickly. He’s nice and all, but he doesn’t seem to like people all too much.”
“I see.” I glanced out at the river as Atlas Ranes started up his boat and headed back out onto the water. “I’m not looking for any local ‘cuisine’ anyways. I plan on staying far, far away from that.”
Ellie raised an eyebrow. “Doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy looking, though, right?”
A slow, small grin pulled at my lips. “I guess so.”
Ellie straightened and turned around, studying the tables that still needed clearing. “Anyways, Atlas has a younger brother. He actually works here and is tending bar tonight.”
“Oh.” I racked my brain on whether I’d even noticed the bartender tonight. I’d been so busy running around I hadn’t stopped to see who was making drinks. “I don’t think I’ve met him yet.”
Ellie clicked her tongue. “Well, you should. He’s just as nice to look at.” She winked. “But I’ve known him forever. I can introduce you.”
I moved toward a table and picked up a stack of dirty dishes. “Um, I don’t know. I still have a lot to do…”
She pursed her lips. “I’ll help you clean up. We’ll have it done in no time. Wanda cut the floor to the closers, so we’re done tonight anyways. That’s what I came out here to tell you.”
I blinked. “Already?”
“We close in an hour.”
I shook my head. “Wow, time flies.”
Ellie nodded and helped me clear the remaining dishes. When everything was wiped, set, and all the back of house items were stocked and ready to go, Ellie helped me clock out and calculate my tips.
“Here, this is your share.” She handed me the cash.
My eyes widened. “Not bad,” I mused. It was an impressive payout for a weeknight.