Page 13 of Family Bonds: Alana & Brennan
The server saved him from making another comment and took their drink orders, then left after leaving the menus to look over.
He picked it up, glanced and decided on a steak. It’d be fast and get this date over with.
He wondered what Alana and Becca were playing with right now. Or were they still eating dinner?
Celia cleared her throat, and he put down the menu, giving her the attention she had subtly requested. “Have you lived on the island long?”
“About five years,” Celia said. “My ex works for Bond Construction. We moved here when I was pregnant with Asher. It was easy enough to find a job. They are always looking for people here, but it’s not so easy to find a place to live. You haven’t been here long. I never asked what you even did other than you’re dressed up when you drop off Becca.”
“I’m a partner at Raymond Financial Services. I was at their firm in Boston prior to relocating.”
“Ohhh, fancy. Why did you want to come here?”
“I lost my nanny.”
“You had a nanny?” Her eyes just lit up. “I hadn’t realized that was such a big important job. But I guess it is. Do you do investments and stuff?”
“No,” he said. “I can, but that isn’t what I do. I’m a CPA and manage financial services, taxes, and corporate finances.”
“Sounds... interesting. It’s over my head though.”
Which was Celia’s way of not wanting to talk about it. That was fine with him.
“What do you do for work?”
“I’m a customer service manager for the grocery store on the island. I’d like to work my way up to assistant store manager and store manager someday. It’s nights and weekends or holidays, but gives me a break from the kids and pays more. I was off today, and it made it easier to come out tonight.”
Which could be why she suggested it when she hinted at that date and backed him into a corner.
He had to be honest with himself. Celia asked him out and he was too much of a nice guy to say no.
More like a chicken shit.
“I think it’s great to have career goals.”
“It’s more about money,” Celia said. “It’s a hard place to live. They pay more, but it costs more. When I was married, it wasn’t so bad, but child support only stretches so far. I’d love to get out of the apartment I’m in. The kids aren’t happy sharing a room. Did you buy a house on the island?”
He felt as ifhewas Celia’s career goal.
“I’m renting one for now,” he said. “The inventory is low and out of my range.”
It didn’t mean he didn’t have his eyes open for something in the future, but there was no reason to put roots down too deep in case things didn’t work on the island.
Two months in wasn’t enough time for him to know for sure.
Celia’s hand reached across the table and grabbed his. “I bet you’ve got a house soon enough with that important-sounding job of yours.”
Her nails were a nude color and pointy. Almost scary in his mind, matching the color of her skin as an extension of her fingers.
Not as scary as her bright red lips in a seductive smile as her thumb caressed his hand.
He should have canceled tonight.
But then he wouldn’t have seen Alana again, and that had been worth it alone.
4
LET ME WATCH
