Page 28 of Erase Me
“So, where’s your roommate?”he asked.“Pat, wasn’t it?”
I glanced out at the surfers as a daredevil who was close to the pier suddenly angled her board and shot between the rows of wooden pilings and out the other side.“Did you see that?”
“Yeah, right under the sign that warns surfers not to do it.”
I smiled at him.“She’s a rebel, I guess.”
He scoffed.“So, your roommate?”
“Pat didn’t want to be a fifth wheel.”
“That’s too bad.I was looking forward to meeting her.”
I reached into my jacket pocket.“I can call her and ask her again, if you want.”
“No.It’s fine.I like it this way.”
“Well, don’t get used to it.It’s our girl time, don’t forget.And boys arenotinvited.”
He laughed.“By the way, I accidentally left your book at my apartment.
“Accidently, hmm?”I cocked an eyebrow, letting a smile lift the corner of my lips.This was good.I needed to get back into his apartment to retrieve my immobilizer.
“Totally.But since you came on your own tonight, I’m thinking maybe you’d want to pick it up after we eat.What do you think?”
“That’s a lot of thinking.”
“I’m a thoughtful guy.”
“You certainly are.”
He glanced at the clock high on a tower above the lifeguard building.“Want to walk on the beach or out on the pier before we eat?”
“I’d like that, but I’m starving,” I admitted truthfully.“I haven’t eaten at all today.”
“No worries.We can eat first.If you want to, we can always take a walk later.”
He pointed at the restaurants on the pier, and we made our way over there.
As charming as Reed was, I needed to exercise caution around him.He wasn’t merely an agent on assignment; his connections ran deep with the company’s directors.This was precisely why I was here.I was targeting him and the job at the same time.
We walked up onto the pier, and the restaurant on our right had weathered shingles and colorful umbrellas for outdoor seating.The aroma of freshly grilled seafood coming from the open doors was enticing.At the tables outside and the horseshoe-shaped bar inside, the clink of dishes and glasses and the conversations of diners enjoying their meals were lively.The friendly, casual ambiance of the place blended perfectly with the coastal vibe I was getting.
To our left, a more upscale eatery had panoramic windows and outdoor seating with equally breathtaking views of the ocean.The sound of soft laughter emanated from there, hinting at a cozy, intimate atmosphere.
“Let me see where we can get a seat first.”
As Reed vanished into one of the restaurants, I watched the people strolling past.It was a diverse group.In just a few moments, I saw older people dressed up for a night out, younger folks in shorts and t-shirts jogging the length of the pier, women wearing head scarves and walking arm-in-arm with small children running in front of them, and Asian-featured families pulling wagons filled with fishing gear.
Leaning against the pier’s wooden railing with a dozen other idlers, I basked in the warm glow of the descending sun.
The breathtaking coastal landscape, the outdoor lifestyle, the mild climate, and the sense of community, all combined to paint a picture of a place where families could settle and live out their lives happily.Reflecting on what I’d done last night—stopping the robbery—I felt a small sense of satisfaction.Even so, I knew I hadn’t done all that I needed to do to preserve a certain family.Not yet, anyway.
“We have a table on that side,” Reed said, coming up behind me and gesturing towards the more upscale of the two restaurants.
As we navigated through a crowd of waiting customers, Reed pulled me close to his side, and the slight pressure of his hand against my bruised ribs made me wince involuntarily.Unfortunately, he noticed.
“What’s wrong?”
