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I shake Bill’s hand. “I’m Charly. I’m a friend of Bryce’s.”
The younger man standing beside Bill whistles. “I didn’t know B had friends. Especially not one as pretty as you.”
Heat creeps into my cheeks. “I guess I’m more of an acquaintance. I’m staying at the inn for the summer.”
A Cheshire grin spreads across his face. “Welcome to town, then. I’m Jared.”
Bill claps him on the back. “He’s my grandson, and my right-hand-man.”
“Nice to meet you.” I point to the cooler, wanting to take Jared’s unwavering blue eyes off me. “What did you guys catch?”
Bill flips open the lid. “Tuna, halibut, flounder ...” He reaches inside, and pulls out a fat black fish covered with white spots. “And Bea’s favorite: Black sea bass.”
Bryce nods in approval. “She’ll be excited.”
While Bryce packs the fish into his own cooler, and pays Bill, Jared nudges me with his elbow. “What’s your favorite kind of fish?”
I shove my hands in the back pockets of my shorts. “Probably salmon. I do love fluke though, if it’s cooked right.”
“Ah, fluke is delicious in a garlic and butter sauce.” He crosses his toned arms over his chest. “Where are you from, Miss Charly?”
“Manhattan.”
“Who are you visiting with?”
“That’s his way of asking if you’re single.” Bill rolls his eyes. “Subtlety isn’t his strong suit.”
I let out a nervous chuckle. “Oh, I’m—”
Bryce cuts in. “We should get going.”
He’s standing so close to me, I can smell his natural cedar scent mixing with the salty air. The hairs on his arm brush against mine, tickling my skin. His body is angled toward me like he’s guarding me, and I wonder if he realizes it.
I arch an eyebrow as I look up at him. I wish I could see behind those big, reflective sunglasses of his.
“Where are you off to?” Jared’s question is directed at me.
“Bryce is taking me to sign up for canoeing lessons.”
Jared’s eyes light up. “You don’t need to pay for lessons. I can take you canoeing.”
My eyes bounce between Bryce and Jared, waiting for my disgruntled roommate to object. But he doesn’t.
I wave a hand. “Oh, no. That’s okay. You don’t have to do that. I’m sure you have better things to do with your time than teach a tourist.”
“Better than spending the day on the water with a beautiful woman?” Jared grins. “I can’t think of anything I’d rather do.”
I don’t know Jared, and he’s a little too forward for my liking. But he’d save me the money I’d spend on lessons. Plus, Bryce said Nana has known his family for a long time. What’s the harm in letting a cute guy take me out on the water for the day?
“Sure.” I swallow. “That’s very kind of you.”
Jared pulls out his phone, and takes my number. “I’ll give you a call this week, and we can set up a time.”
Bryce rolls his cooler halfway down the dock by the time I hand back Jared’s phone. I hustle to catch up with him, and wait for him to say something after he slides the fish onto the truck bed. His muscles are spring-loaded, and his teeth gnash together. Still, he says nothing.
What’s his problem?
We make it halfway home before the silence gnaws a hole through my determination to stay quiet. “Is there something you want to say to me?”
