Page 26 of Go Away, Darling

“Here, try an onion ring.” Trent pushed one Scott’s way.

“Do they put fairy dust in these?” he asked incredulously. “I don’t think I’ve ever had anything so flavorful and light, considering it’s basically fried batter.

Trent snorted. “They should name a new wing sauce after Chris. The Fried Batter.”

Scott thought that was hilarious and they traded jokes for the rest of lunch. Then we followed Trent out to his dock where he pointed out which boards needed replacing. With my brother’s help I was able to get it done in record time and still leave for the game without rushing, so I stopped at the grocer on the end of the island to grab a drink and snacks.

That’s when I ran into the Anderson sisters. Well, at least Berlin and Paris. “As I live and breathe!” Paris cried out. “The rumors are true!”

Half the store (which was a whopping five people) turned to see what the fuss was about. And even that little bit of attention was enough to make me blush. “Hey Paris.”

“Look at you.” She walked a circle around me while Berlin stood scowling like I’d kicked her cat.

“How are you?”

Berlin didn’t answer, but Paris stopped in front of me. “I’m fantastic. How are your brothers?”

“Good. Scott’s at the house and Ben will be around next week.”

“Really,” she drawled, throwing a look at her sister. “It’s too bad London isn’t here.”

I saw where this was going real fast. “It’s a damn shame. I’d love to see those two in a room together now.”

“You and me both,” Paris grinned. “Maybe we can figure something out one of these days. Accidentally on purpose get them in the same room and see what happens.”

I grabbed a bag of chips off the shelf behind her and winked. “I will happily be your co-conspirator. Just let me know when and where.”

“I’ll hold you to that.” Then she scowled at her younger sister. Once upon a time Olivia and Berlin had been best friends. I wondered if the scowl currently trained on me was because they werestillbest friends and she didn’t like that Olivia and I were getting close. “What’s wrong with your face?”

Berlin finally tore her eyes away from glaring at me and instead glared at her sister. “There’s nothing wrong with my face.”

“Yes there is. It’s all scrunched up and angry. Is Ryker not good in bed? Are you orgasm-less?”

I thought for a split second Berlin might strangle her sister. Instead she hissed, “My sex life is great, thank you very much, and not up for discussion.”

“Then why are you scowling?” Paris refused to give up and I couldn’t figure out how to gracefully disappear.

Berlin waved at her sister. “Can you just go pickup the vegetables we need for dinner already and leave me alone? I bet Chris is off to Tampa anyway and here we are holding him hostage in our rinky dink small town grocery store.”

Paris mouthedI’m sorrywith a shrug. “Fine. Meet you at the cash register. Nice seeing you, Chris!”

But Berlin didn’t budge. She waited until Paris was out of earshot before glancing at me, which is when I decided to cut her off at the pass.

“I like that Calusa Key is small and quiet. Why do you think I stopped here instead of Sarasota or St. Pete? I like that Kelly knows me at checkout and remembers that I always forget to get more butter. I can live anywhere. Iwantto live here.”

She kept that scowl on her face, but her eyes softened a little. “I don’t trust you or your money or your fame. Not for one second. The last thing Olivia needs is an egotistical athlete to woo her and then leave her when he decides fame and money are more exciting in the city.”

The shadow of Beau hung heavy, as I feared. “I understand your concerns. I have no intention of changing my personality any time soon.”

She blinked like I surprised her. “You hurt her and I’ll find a nice electrical storm to strand you in. You can’t get lucky twice.”

I shrugged. “It was a near miss.”

She leaned closer. “I’ll make sure it’s a direct hit next time.”

And while the banter was fun, it was also tedious and unnecessary. “Duly noted. Now if you don’t mind, I have puppies to murder and candy to poison.”

“Ha. Ha.” She stepped to the side, allowing me to finally pass. “I mean it. You’re either in or out with Olivia. She’s not someone you can have fun with and forget.”

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