By The Sea Read Free Page A

appeared at the next table over, helping Geneva and the kids.
    “How long have you lived here?” Mason asked her. I tuned in out of curiosity, only half paying attention to Jerome’s attempts at flirting while he ignored his wife. “Any good antique shops? I’m looking to furnish my new place.”
    Geneva began babbling about Crystal Antiques around the corner and I checked out of their conversation. “Let me go put in that order, Jerome.” I gave him a polite smile and darted to the kitchen. Mason seemed to be in competition because, seconds later, he was right by my side.
    “Does that guy always flirt with you in front of his wife like that?” he asked.
    I shrugged. “I guess so. Comes with the territory of waitressing. I’m sure you’ve already noticed the women batting their eyes at you here. Not like you can tell off every person who makes you uncomfortable. We’d be ripe out of customers.”
    He grabbed the plate of fried flounder for his table, but glanced my way. “Doesn’t seem right.”
    I pursed my lips and ignored him, trying not to let the accusation in his voice bother me. Who was he to judge? He’d see in a matter of days that if he wanted to stay working here, he’d have to be polite as anything. If he threw a hissy fit anytime someone acted morally ambiguous, he’d be out of a job in no time. Or was he accusing me of flirting back? Maybe he was another of those moronic guys who interpreted politeness as interest?
    By the end of my shift, one thing was clear. Mason had gotten under my skin. Even though I normally left most people’s business to themselves, his presence ticked in my mind, adding new questions every couple minutes. If I didn’t get some answers soon, I was heading close to the old dangerous territory of reading too much into things that didn’t exist.
    Again, another woman asked for his company after work—this time our regular, Linda, with the perfect blonde curls and flawless tan. Again, he gave her the same dismissal. Was he repeating his trip to the docks tonight? Jenna smoked her cigarette out behind the building while Mason and I retrieved our things. I leaned against the brick wall in the back next to Jenna, waiting for Mason to leave first. This time I’d find out where he was going.
    “Why’re you acting so weird around him?” Jenna asked, right as I was about to head out. “You’re usually comfortable around everyone and, unlike Gina and Terry, you don’t get wrapped up in guys.”
    Of course, Jenna would drill me with hard-hitting questions and all. “He reminds me of someone I used to know. It weirds me out.”
    “Mm.” Jenna let out an exhale of smoke that poured through the alley. “Well don’t act stupid about it. He’ll just notice more.”
    She was trying to help in her own way. I saluted. “Message loud and received. I’ll see you around, Jenna.” Not waiting another second, I hurried off, hoping Mason hadn’t gotten too far.
    I stalked down the boardwalk but even under the full moon that illuminated everything with a pearly light, I couldn’t spot a tall man with broad shoulders. This time of night in a small town like this, no one roamed the roads. I tugged on the strap of my purse and let out a sigh. My curiosity would have to wait for yet another time. Frustration welled inside me, like getting to the end of the chapter to find out you didn’t have the time to start the next one. I paused when I reached the turn he made to the docks yesterday. Maybe he’d left some hint of what he’d been up to.
    The boards were old but, salt-soaked as they were, didn’t creak much. Still, I took to the docks with careful steps, not wanting to draw attention. The ocean was a black beast, but crests of waves glistened like shards of quartz and beckoned to me. I hadn’t gone night swimming in some time now. Once in a while, I’d dip in for a small swim by myself, but not with the regularity I’d done when I was young and had someone by my side.
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