Page 59 of Sandbar Sunrise
She got in the car and made a zip across her lip.
“My gift to you, ten seconds,” she staged-whispered.
He laughed and closed the door to her side.
J.J. felt pleased.This is going to be a fun night with old friends. And one new one. One very unexpected new friend.
* * *
Keith’s Dockside was exactly what Irish Hills had been missing. A place where you could dock your boat, get out, get a meal, get a beer, and get together right on the water.
J.J. thought the girls might tease her for letting Stone Stirling drive her over, until she remembered that it was Libby who had insisted she keep an eye on the billionaire. So, she was simply working her covert mission, right? Not dating Stone Stirling.
She also knew she wasn’t on a date because she was over fifty, was completely comfortable with Stone, and not trying to impress anyone.
J.J. imagined actually dating in her fifties would be a nightmare trapped in another nightmare. She had no interest in that whatsoever.
Thanks to the last few weeks working shoulder to shoulder with Stone, she felt at ease in his company. They spoke the same language about a lot of things, and when they didn’t, they found something to laugh about instead.
They slid into Keith’s Dockside without fanfare. The party was in full swing already.
“Can I get you a beer? Looks like it might be a bit of a wait.”
J.J. looked over, and the two bartenders were moving fast. She recognized one as Keith’s son, Cole. The other was new. “Yes, thanks. No hurry. I’m going to find the girls.”
Stone nodded and moved through the crowd to complete his not-so-covert mission.
Soon, Libby, Goldie, and Viv had reeled her into their corner of Keith’s. Libby was in her classic white t-shirt and linen palazzo pants. Goldie had a fabulous kaftan on, no doubt courtesy of Viv’s line, and Viv wore a mango tunic with white jeans.
They’re all so effortlessly gorgeous. Though, they all need a haircut.She’d need to get that salon open pronto!
The restaurant was full, but not so loud they couldn’t talk.
“Wow, Libby, Keith did a great job,” J.J. enthused. “I thought this would be like Steve’s Marina restaurant part two, but this place overshot that vibe by a mile.”
“It’s not stuffy though, is it?” Libby asked.
“Not in the slightest, I just mean it’s cool. Very cool.”
“Keith, Hope, and Braylon are a force.” Keith’s son had helped Hope to launch her restaurant.
“Yeah, so is Braylon going to be mainly here now?”
“That’s the plan. He’s running this place, so Hope is in the market for a sous chef,” Libby explained. Hope was at her restaurant and promised to be by Keith’s later if she could get away.
“I recommend she hire a twenty-something woman with a good work ethic, tolerance for big lugs, and openness to a potentially meddling mother-in-law.”
“Yeah, for Austin or D.J.?”
“D.J. for now. I guess Austin isn’t ready to get married and has a girlfriend, but for D.J., it’s past time, in my opinion.”
“He’s got the business keeping him busy,” Viv said.
J.J. noticed that Libby looked away from them and then stared down into her drink.
“How’s the salon coming?” Libby asked, changing the subject. “Anything I need to know about?”
“I hate to say this, but no. Stone suspiciously continues to support my ideas on the salon. And even had a few good ones of his own.”
