Page 15 of The One for Forever

“Good to see you, Rex.” Eddie nods a greeting, not pausing in his work. He doesn’t even blink at our fancy clothes. “Brought a lady friend this time?”

“Yeah. I try to be tight-lipped about this place because I don’t want the line to get longer. But this is someone special.”

My heart thumps out of rhythm.

Eddie grins. “I won’t give her the dregs, then.” He has a teenaged assistant, maybe a grandson or nephew, who takes our money and gives change. I offer to pay this time, since Rex got my drink earlier, but he’s having none of it.

Eddie hands over two cones, fries on the bottom and fish on top. Rex adds vinegar and sauce, but I skip both. We take our food over to a picnic table in the sand. I have to slide off my heels and carry them in my free hand.

We sit across from each other, and I select a piece of fish. The batter is crunchy, just rich enough without being greasy. The fish is pure white and fluffy. So good. I moan as I chew. “This is incredible. Why haven’t I heard of Eddie? I’ve lived in West Oaks a lot longer than you. My whole life. This place should be famous.”

Rex finishes off his first piece of fish in two bites. “I agree, but I’m glad it’s not. Eddie doesn’t publicize because he doesn’t want it to turn into a scene. He’s only open at night, and only on the weekends. I know about it because I sometimes run on the beach at night. Just happened to stumble upon it.”

“But you decided to let me in on the secret?”

“I figured I could trust you. Like I told Eddie, you’re someone special.”

“Thanks,” I say lamely. I focus on my French fries.

“I knew you’d appreciate it. Remember those fish tacos Cliff used to drag us all the way to Ventura for? You always tried to talk him into something closer, but I saw your face when you bit into one. You’re a seafood fan.”

“You got me.” Yet another thing Rex noticed about me. But not the way I’dwantedhim to notice me.

“Should we take Cliff here next time?”

“Next time?”

“When it’s family dinner night. Or will you keep avoiding those?”

I shake my head. Rex has a gentle way about him, but he’s never hesitated to call it like he sees it. “Maybe. We’ll see. For more of Eddie’s fish, I could make room in my schedule.”

“I hope you do.”

My heart thumps again. I should get that checked out. Twenty-eight is too young for an irregular heartbeat.

I’ve missed those dinners with Rex and Cliff, but it didn’t occur to me that Rex would missmypresence. I’m Cliff’s friend, and he’s Cliff’s dad. The only other time we’ve hung out one-on-one was my prom night.

I’m honestly surprised Cliff has never picked up on it. I guess I’ve hidden my feelings well, considering Rex doesn’t know. I hope to God he doesn’t know. But at some point, Cliff will figure it out. Or more likely, his girlfriend Lia Perez will. That woman is sharp. And if Cliff finds out, it’ll be weird.

Growing up, Cliff felt like Rex put too much pressure on him to be perfect. Their relationship is better now, but I’d hate to be the reason for a new source of father-son tension.

We finish our food and crumple up the trash, tossing it into a nearby can. “Walk with me?” Rex asks.

We go closer to the water, both carrying our shoes. Rex rolls up his tux pants to keep the sand and water off them. I inhale the salt-scented air, tasting it along with French fries when I lick my lips.

It’s probably what Rex’s lips would taste like if I kissed him.

Bad Quinn. I need to get myself back on track and my mind out of date mode. This isnota date. Even though it would be a perfect one.

Six months away from him wasn’t enough time. Not near enough.

“Since you’ll be doing security for the Printz trial, I could give you the rundown,” I say.

“Please. I’ll conference with Max and our team tomorrow, but I’d love to get started. And I’m sure nobody knows the case better than you do.”

“That’s possible.” As the DA, Lana has far more to think about than a single case, even one this big. I’ve got several otherson my plate as well, but with the Printz case so close to trial, I’ve been thinking of little else at work. “I’m sure you’ve heard a lot about the murder on the news.”

“But what they say in the news doesn’t give the real picture. Why don’t you start at the beginning? Give me the People’s case. Tell me how it happened. I’ll need the full background to understand the threats you’re facing now.”

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