“That’s the plan. One day at a time.”
Morgan’s high school classmate Luke Harris and his wife, Sydney, came over to speak to Morgan, so Oliver and his family stepped aside.
He’d barely made it inside the room, and he’d been there for thirty minutes.
Duke Sullivan brought him a draft beer. “Figured you might be getting thirsty.”
“You figured right. Thanks.”
“We won’t keep you,” Luke said. “But if there’s anything we can do, please feel free to reach out.”
“Appreciate that,” Morgan said.
“If I may,” Sydney said somewhat tentatively, “I’ve been where you are after losing my husband and children in a drunk driving accident. If you need to talk to someone who gets it, please call me.” She handed him a business card. “Any time.”
“That’s very kind of you. I’m sorry for your losses.”
Sydney hugged him. “And I’m sorry for yours.”
After they walked away, Morgan glanced toward the bar and caught Sierra looking at him—again. He raised a brow in inquiry.
Her face flushed with color as she looked away.
What’s that about? he wondered, intrigued by her, which was ridiculous in light of how tumultuous his life was at the moment.
Even as he had that thought, however, he was still intrigued.
* * *
“I feel so bad for Morgan,” Monique said as she sat with Linc across the table from her sister and brother-in-law. “What do you suppose he’ll do now?”
“Hard to say,” Oliver replied. “He’ll probably want to find a way to keep the gym open as it’s a pretty successful business.”
“Is it?” Dara asked. “I wouldn’t think gyms make that much.”
“Billy told me it’s all about the people who sign up and then forget about it. He said half his members rarely came in, but they kept the membership for someday when they decide to get in shape.”
“So it’s like a psychological thing, then,” Monique said. “That’s interesting.”
“I’ve been guilty of that very thing,” Linc said. “Having the gym membership that I rarely use because I’d prefer to run or be outside to work out. Billy has made a lot of money off me since I moved to the island.”
Monique wasn’t sure what possessed her to reach over to squeeze his well-developed biceps. “Where’d these come from, then?”
He grinned at her. “Free weights at home.”
“Ah, I see.” That smile of his made her insides flutter any time he directed it her way. After weeks of texts and FaceTime chats, she was happy to be back with him again, even if it was for a sad occasion. He’d told her he dreaded Billy’s funeral after leading the effort to find his body in the Salt Pond, so she’d come to offer her support.
She hadn’t told him she was coming and had truly enjoyed his stunned expression when she slid into the pew next to him in church.
And then he’d made it worth the trip by reaching for her hand and holding on throughout the service.
Under the table, he rested his hand on her leg, which was all it took to set off the low hum of desire that’d been building between them since the first time they hung out months ago. He’d invited her back to his place that night, but she’d declined because she was leaving early the next day.
Fresh off an ugly divorce, she hadn’t been sure she could handle a one-night stand with him. Now, though, she was fairly confident neither of them was interested in one and done. He’d repeatedly asked her to come back to the island for another visit and had offered to come see her on his days off.
They hadn’t made any plans yet, so that was why it’d been fun to surprise him, even if it was for a funeral.
Oliver spotted Jared James across the bar. “Let’s go say hello,” he said to Dara.
