See Me(28)

Instead of casting again, he fastened the hook and lure to the pole, then tightened the line. “And besides, teaching and cage fighting don’t exactly mesh. I’d probably scare the little kids like I scared you.”

“Little kids?”

“I want to teach third grade,” he said. He bent over, reaching for his tackle box. “It’s getting dark,” he added. “You ready to head back? Or would you like to stay out here a bit longer?”

“We can go,” she said. As Colin set the pole on his shoulder, she noted the restaurants lit from within, lines of people already forming at the doors, the faint strains of music filling the air. “It’s starting to get crowded down here.”

“That’s why I asked to work the day shift. It’ll be a zoo on the rooftop tonight.”

“Good for tips, no?”

“Not worth the aggravation. Too many college kids.”

She laughed, the sound warm and melodic. They began to retrace the steps they’d taken earlier, neither feeling the need to rush. In the dimming light, she was alluring, her slight smile making him wonder what she was thinking. “Have you always lived here?” he asked, breaking the peaceful lull.

“I grew up here and moved back last December,” she answered. “Between college, law school, and working in Charlotte, I was gone for about ten years. You’re not from here, though, right?”

“I’m from Raleigh,” he said. “Spent summers here when I was a kid, lived here on and off for a month or two for a few years after high school. I’ve been living here permanently the last three years.”

“We’ve probably been neighbors at times and didn’t even know it. I went to UNC and Duke.”

“Neighbors or not, I doubt we traveled in the same social circles.”

She smiled. “So… you came here to go to college?”

“Not at first. College came a little after that. I came here because my parents kicked me out of the house and I wasn’t sure where else to go. My friend Evan was living here and I ended up renting a room from him.”

“Your parents kicked you out?”

He nodded. “I needed a wakeup call. They gave me one.”

“Oh.” She tried to keep her voice neutral.

“I don’t blame them,” he said. “I deserved it. I would have kicked me out, too.”

“Because of the fights?”

“There’s more to it than just that, but the fights were part of it. I was kind of a problem child. And then, after high school, I was a problem adult for a while.” He glanced over at her. “What about you? Do you live with your parents?”

She shook her head. “I have a condo down on Market Street. As much as I love them, there’s no way I could live with my parents.”

“What do they do?”

“They own La Cocina de la Familia. It’s a restaurant here in town.”

“I’ve heard of it, but I haven’t been there.”

“You should go. The food is really authentic – my mom still cooks a lot of it herself – and the place is always packed.”

“If I mention your name, will I get a discount?”

“Do you need a discount?”

“Not really. I’m just wondering how far we’ve progressed.”

“I’ll see what I can do. I’m sure I’d be able to pull some strings.”

By then, they were over the sand and headed for the stairs. He followed as she bounded gracefully down the steps.

“Do you want me to walk you to your car?” he asked, meeting her gaze.

“I’ll be okay,” she demurred. “It’s not far.”

He moved the rod from one shoulder to the other, reluctant for the evening to end.

“If Serena’s going out with her friends, what were your plans for the rest of the night?”

“Nothing, really. Why?”

“Do you want to listen to some music? Since we’re already here? It’s not that late yet.”

His question seemed to take her by surprise, and for a moment, he thought she might say no. She adjusted her purse strap, fidgeting with the buckle. While he waited, he thought again that she was beautiful, her long, dark lashes shrouding her thoughts.

“I thought you didn’t go to bars.”

“I don’t. But we could walk the beach for a bit, listen for something good, and enjoy it where we are.”

“Are any of the bands any good?”

“I have no idea.”

Uncertainty was written on her face before he saw something finally give way. “All right. But I don’t want to stay long. Maybe just a walk on the beach, okay? I don’t want to be down here when the crowds descend.”

He smiled, feeling something unwind within him, and raised the tackle box. “Let me just drop this off, all right? I’d rather not carry it the whole time.”

They backtracked to the restaurant, and once he stowed his things in the employee area, they wandered back down to the sand. The stars were beginning to emerge, brilliant pinpricks in the velvety sky. The waves continued their steady roll and the warm breeze was like a quiet exhale. As they strolled, he was conscious of the fact that she was close enough to touch, but he pushed the realization away.