Page 95 of Memories By the Shore
I stand here confused but not willing to leave yet.Am I worried losing sight of Avery could cause me to lose her entirely again?Am I chasing her or our past?
Maybe both.
Marv shrugs his shoulders. “Okay. Well, since you’re here. Can I get you a glass of wine?”
I’ll wait until they finish, then follow Avery to her car.That’s not weird at all.I repeated this to myself a few times before responding to Marv. “Sure. I’ll just hang out here at the bar.”
“Wonderful. I’ll grab you something from my reserve.” His voice is spritely.
I climb onto the bar stool, keeping Avery and Helen in my peripheral. “Sounds good.”
The door to the back flings open and then shuts as Marv pushes himself through.
“Mayor Collins.” The tall, blonde bartender says my name smoothly. “What can I get for you?”
“I’m good. Marv is grabbing me something from his personal stash,” I say.
“Of course he is.” Her eyes drop to my lips and then back up. “Can I get you anything while you wait?”
I shake my head, seemingly declining more than just a drink offer.
“Suit yourself.” She rolls a shoulder, turning in the opposite direction.
“Jasper?” A feminine voice from behind me. It’s not the one I’d prefer, but it’s familiar.
I whip my head around, coming face-to-face with Melanie. I knew it was a bad idea to date a local. “Oh, hi, Melanie.”
“Haven’t heard from you in a while,” she states, clutching her purse.
I knew I wouldn’t be able to avoid her for much longer. Coconut Grove is a small town, and I am the mayor, for fuck’s sake. Melanie and I were just a casual thing, but the moment I saw Avery walk into my office that day, a switch flipped.
“I meant to call you, but I’ve been busy.” I give her a canned, empty response. It’s a dick move. My mind can only focus on the tattooed brunette from my past.
“Of course,” Melanie dismisses my reply, knowing as well as I do it’s a bullshit excuse. She opens her red lips to continue, but Marv is suddenly at her side.
“Jasper! Here is my favorite red,” he begins as if not realizing he’s walked into our conversation. Grateful for his electric personality, I sigh a breath of relief. “Iris and I use it as a table red whenever we have people over. Yes, it’s a simple blend, but just perfectly spiced.” he slips around the back of the bar and pulls two wine glasses off the hanger. “Well, here, you just have to try it,” he continues. “Oh, you have company!” he says, reaching for a third glass.
“She’s not staying,” I blurt, extending my arm in front of us.Marv pauses, his hand suspended in the air. His eyes dart over to Melanie, and they exchange uncomfortable looks. I get the urge to explain or apologize—or something.
Heat burns the tips of my ears. “I meant that I’m meeting someone soon.”
“Stalking me, Mr. Collins?” The last voice I ever want to hear is suddenly behind me. I slowly craned my neck, knowing Avery had joined our uncomfortable group. My situation got a hell of a lot stranger. I can’t tell them all a different story, and now the restaurant owner—one of my constituents, my ex-fling, and the love of my life—are all staring at me, waiting for me to answer their simple questions.
“Avery, hi,” I say causally.
“What are you doing here?” Her hand rests on the back of my high-back bar stool.
“Okay, four glasses of my favorite red are coming up!” Marv’s excited voice and clanking glasses provide a brief reprieve.
“Hi, I’m Melanie.” Melanie shoots her arm out with a smug look, swiping me across the face.
“I’m Avery.” I catch the subtle furrow of Avery’s brow as she returns the gesture.
I open my mouth to speak, but the way Melanie’s eyes bore into Avery’s, it won’t matter what I say. So, instead, I sit and sweat.
Melanie clicks her tongue. “And how do you know Jasper?”
Avery’s lip quirks up with a devious smile. “Oh, we used to fuck.”
