A Flighty Fake Boyfriend (Men of St. Nachos #2) - Z.A. Maxfield Page 0,3
offered to act as if we’re more than that for the wedding.”
Dan snorted. “He’s a very good actor. Take him up on it.”
“I’m no good at that kind of subterfuge.” I stretched. “How can I be so exhausted right after breakfast?”
“Why don’t you take a nap. We’ll be lazy today.”
“That sounds wonderful.” I stood.
The food in my belly was comforting on both a physical and emotional level, and hanging out at Daniel’s place was a balm to my spirit.
I never slept like I did in St. Nacho’s. I put it down to the clean sea air. The taste of salt on my tongue. Being with friends I didn’t have to impress. But it was more. When I strolled along the boardwalk, everything around me seemed more vivid. Colors brightened. The air filled with music. Everywhere I looked, someone was smiling, laughing, performing some small act of kindness—like my mystery server and his grandmother’s hangover cure.
Blue followed me into the room and hopped up on the bed after I got in.
Despite the emotional pain of Luis’s wedding—despite the pressure building as work went undone—as soon as I laid my head on the pillow in Daniel’s inviting guest room, I drifted into a dreamless sleep.
Chapter Two
The sun had set before I woke up. Groggily, I made my way to the kitchen where I found Daniel feeding the dogs.
“Hey, I’m so sorry,” I said. “I can’t believe I slept that long.”
“You must have needed it.”
“I probably won’t sleep tonight, though.”
He brushed his hands off on his jeans. “We can get dinner and walk along the boardwalk. Let’s stop by the firehouse and say hi to my man.”
“I’m up for dinner and a drink or two. Nothing like last night.”
“You got that right. Let me get changed then. Back in a bit.”
“Me too.” My clothes were rumpled and a little damp from sleeping in them. “I’ll be out in a few.”
Still on the fuzzy side of waking, I rummaged in my suitcase for something appropriate. The temperature had dropped. I opted for a white T-shirt, jeans, and a thin sweater. When I saw Daniel, I asked if he thought I’d need a jacket.
“Probably, if we’re going to walk on the beach. The wind can really cut through knits.”
“Okay,” I went back to the guest room and got a lightweight blazer. “You mind driving?”
“Not at all. Let me just make sure the dogs are set.” I heard running water before he came back, ready to go.
As we walked to his car, I glanced back at his house. With the porch light on, it welcomed visitors with ruthless charm. This was nothing like what I expected, but it suited this happier, less-driven Daniel well. I envied him.
“You have a pretty awesome life here, don’t you?”
He smiled fondly. “Oh, yeah.”
We got into his car and buckled up. “You ever see BreeAnna?”
“Yes, she remarried, and they have a kid. I wouldn’t be surprised if by now she had another on the way. She’s a great mom.”
“So you’re still friends?”
“Improbably, yes.” He pulled onto the road. “I think we’re better friends now than ever.”
“That’s good.”
“It will get easier between you and Luis too, you know. Let him have his moment without resentment.”
“I don’t resent him for finding someone else. I resent him for…I don’t know. Inviting me? Making me feel bad about my choices? Couldn’t he have just left well enough alone? It’s as if he’s taunting me.”
“I’m sure that’s not the case.”
“I should have refused to go. Instead, I arranged for this date with Laurie, and—”
“You call Lawrence Dunbar Laurie?”
“Everyone does. It’s the name he came with.”
“Ah.”
“He’s a really great guy. I would probably date him, but he’s already with someone who isn’t out.”
“I see.” Daniel made a turn onto the stretch of Main Street where bars and restaurants clustered. “I’m going to look for a place to park, then we’ll walk to the restaurant.”
“We’re going past the firehouse, I presume.”
“Of course.”
He parked behind a veterinary clinic that looked closed for the evening, and we got out. I drew my jacket closer. “That wind is a little brisk, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, it’s gusty tonight.” He locked the doors and we headed for the firehouse. “Pity we didn’t come during the day. Cam’s usually out here polishing the vehicles like a porn star.”
I laughed at that because I could picture it. “Cam’s not a shy boy, is he?”
“He hasn’t got a modest bone in his body. Well, except when he’s being all humble about his work. ‘Aw, shucks. Just doing