“It didn’t wreck my day, dammit. It just threw me. I haven’t seen her in years.” And then when he did, first chance he’d got, he’d made her feel like shit.
“Wait, is this the ex-girlfriend? Like, the one from your teenage years who left you a complete mess?” She cleared her throat when Aleck shot her a sharp look. “Or, ugh, so I heard.”
“A little discretion, Delonna?” Aleck muttered as his scowl darkened.
She had the decency to flush. “Right. Let me just look that word up again. Always good to see you, Ian.” She shook her head and moved out from behind the bar, making her way to the kitchen.
“Sorry, sometimes her filter is a bit rusty,” Aleck apologized as he stared after the blonde bartender.
“It’s Delonna. Not much of a surprise there. We forgive her because she’s got a lovely arse.”
“Watch your mouth,” Aleck grumbled, glancing away from the retreating blonde. “You shouldn’t be checking out her arse.”
“I’m not. Actually haven’t in years. She’s all yours.”
His brother grunted and shook his head. “She’s practically a child. Far too young for my liking. Besides, the last thing I need is a woman right now.”
“Ballocks. You should be getting laid, and often.”
Aleck threw his head back and laughed—a low, rumbling sound that resonated in the bar.
“I never said I wasn’t enjoying the female companionship, little brother.”
Ian grinned and shook his head. “Aye. You’re a true McLaughlin. You taught me everything I know.”
“Not everything.” Aleck’s amusement seemed to fade some and his eyes clouded. “You should go see Gina. It’ll take your mind off of…things.”
“Maybe I should.” Ian slid the shot glasses back toward his brother and stood up. “Thanks for the drink. What do I owe you?”
“Bartend for me the Friday night of Labor Day weekend. We’ll need the extra help.”
“Done.”
Aleck collected the glasses and set them in the sink behind the bar. “Can you drive?”
“Aye. What do you take me for, a novice? It’d take three times that amount to begin to addle my mind.”
“Of course. What ever was I thinking?” Aleck came around the bar and hugged him. “Love ya, wee Ian.”
Though Ian wasn’t short by any means, Aleck certainly could get away with the wee comment. While Ian had inherited more of his mother’s looks, Aleck had taken after Da. Still the McLaughlin green eyes, but with darker hair and an impressive height that ensured he towered over most men.
Aleck gave him a thump on his back and then pulled away. “Go have fun. You’ll forget all about the other one.”
The one that got away. The thought raced through his head before he could stop it. And it lingered as he made the drive to his shop in Coupeville instead.
It was a good thing she’d left him, he told himself. With Gina, what you saw was what you got. She swore like a sailor, was aggressive sexually, had a body like a pin-up girl, and had a streak of meanness that could come out with enough provocation or alcohol. But together, the two of them worked. It complimented the dark side of him so many wanted to deny was real.
Sarah seemed so sweet and innocent. Lovely and delicate in a way that made men pause and stare. But if you didn’t look beyond the front, you might get blindsided. She could turn on you in an instant. Once she had your heart—she could destroy it with the precision and calculation of a military missile.
Yes. If he were smart, he’d avoid her until she’d once again left the island.
Sarah glanced in the mirror and adjusted the delicate purple scarf she’d added to her khaki skirt and black crossover top.
The scarf had been Gran’s and she’d added it to her outfit at the last minute. She was due at the lawyer’s office in fifteen minutes and if she didn’t start walking, she’d be late.
She’d already slept in longer than planned this morning. But she’d stayed up the night before on a long phone call with Emily—and with a restless night of painful memories. Not to mention the attempt to work on her latest project. She was fortunate enough to be able to travel with her work. Being a freelance graphic designer didn’t always bring in a ton of money, but fortunately the online projects allowed her to work from anywhere.
Sarah lingered for just a moment more, bringing the scarf to her nose and closing her eyes as she inhaled.
There was still the hint of her gran’s perfume, and tears pricked behind Sarah’s closed lids.
With an unsteady, but determined breath in, she opened her eyes and grabbed her purse.