Page 11 of The Seal's Promise
“You’re not staying with Wes or at Levi’s place?”
Dalton paused from studying the pretty dusting of freckles along the bridge of her nose. “I didn’t realize Levi kept a place here. But no, I figured staying with my gran and her home cooking was far better than dealing with Wes’s surly moods and shift work.”
She nodded. “Your brother has a lot on his plate, between running the sheriff’s department, the summer influx of people in town, your grandmother, and the pier.”
The implication was subtle but he heard it loud and clear: Dalton had shirked all responsibility while Wes had taken on all the family burdens.
“I’m back, so I can help him with two out of the four things.”
“For now, but maybe finding someone to help your gran out before you leave would be a more permanent solution.”
“Already on it, in fact, do you have any thoughts on where I should inquire about someone looking for some part-time work helping out an old woman who will likely spend more time trying to get rid of them than accepting their help?”
Brooke’s furrowed brow lifted and her smile was like the golden hour at sunset, brightening her entire face. “No, I’d say you could post something on the town’s social media pages, but your gran would see those and probably burn this town to the ground.”
“We don’t want that,” he said, leaning closer with his elbows on his knees but keeping a socially acceptable distance away. Her light, soapy scent hung in the air between them. “What about the library bulletin board, does that thing still exist?”
“Uh, yah, and there are always new flyers or posters up. There’s also May’s coffee shop.”
“Your sister opened a coffee shop?”
“Yah, well, it’s more like a small coffee stand with a garden, but it’s the town’s water cooler. If anyone is looking for a side hustle, May will know.”
“Great, thank you.”
Brooke stood as if she couldn’t wait to end their chat.
“I just had a few more questions,” he said, standing too.
“Okay.”
“Why’d you marry Tyler Banks?”
Her gasp was audible, and he knew it was borderline inappropriate for him to ask, but he couldn’t stop thinking about what Wes had said.
“None of your business, Dalton,” Brooke said sternly. “If you have any more questions about your gran, you can wait for Tommy to return. I have to get back to my patients.” She was out the door before he could respond, but her reaction told him everything he needed to know.
Brooke had a fire in her, one he had never seen before when they were in high school. They’d only ever just been friends back then—admittedly they’d been the oddest duo, he was the jock and she was the bookworm, but they’d clicked. Maybe he’d always been curious about what made her tick, but now there was some kind of magnetic heat pulling him toward her and he needed to figure out exactly what it was.
CHAPTER SIX
Brooke
The Problem with a Crush
“The problem witha childhood crush is that they never go away, those feelings are just frozen in time, never resolved,” May said as she poured steamed milk in the shape of a heart into a mug.
Brooke rolled her eyes. “You’re so dramatic. There is and was no crush, and no need for resolution.”
May set the perfect latte down in front of Brooke while a big smile pulled at her perfectly glossed lips.
“Brooke, you might be older, but you’re not wiser. You can lie to yourself all you want, but I know you.” She leaned forward and dropped her voice lower. “Dalton Hart has been the man of your literal dreams since you were eleven. The hot golden boy, funny, extroverted, kind, and gorgeous. No time or distance is going to change it. And now you have an actual chance to act on it.”
Brooke took a gulp of the hot, frothy brew, and groaned as she tasted the hints of sweet cream mixing with the rich, chocolatey, smooth coffee.
“Incoming,” May said, standing straight up.
“Good morning, May Garcia. Your sister told me you opened a coffee shop, and I should have known it would be a theatrical experience,” Dalton said as he stopped to stand just next to Brooke.
