Luke.

  Luke and his blue eyes and big hands. Hands that probably knew how to properly use a pair of handcuffs and inspect your body from head to toe. He was also the one man who had turned me down. My face felt like it burned with shame and rejection at the thought. Has it only been two nights ago?

  “Earth to Oli!” Raven waved her hands, and a brow rose.

  “What?”

  “Are you really not sleeping well?” she asked, just as my sister Scarlett sat next to her.

  “Not sleeping well?” Scar’s lips twitched. “Because you’re having incredible sex with someone or….”—she took a good look at me—“the opposite. I got it.” I rolled my eyes at her. “You know what fixes that?” She wagged her brows, and Raven giggled.

  “I have a feeling Oli hasn’t had someone put…” My eyes widened wondering what the hell Rave was going to say. “…her to bed in a while.”

  “Really?” Scar’s attention moved to me. “Are we mad at someone? Wait, who are you seeing?”

  “No one,” I muttered.

  “I don’t know about that.” Raven grinned, and I gave her the most annoyed expression I could muster.

  “Who?” Scarlett asked.

  “Who what?” Coral, the oldest of us, asked behind me. I didn’t have to glance at her as she took the seat next to me.

  “Olie is seeing someone. Or maybe she’s not seeing someone now since she’s, you know…“ Scarlett made a cranky face that made me want to laugh out loud.

  Instead, I rolled my eyes and huffed under my breath. “You’re all ridiculous.”

  “What is it you always say?” Scarlett pretended to think. “Best way to get over someone is to get⁠—“

  “On top of someone else,” all three sisters chimed in.

  They weren’t wrong. It was a motto I had wholeheartedly lived by.

  Especially after I had my heart stomped on and obliterated to smithereens by my high school sweetheart. Like a stupid schoolgirl, I’d thought love was all that mattered. Andrew had said all the right things, making me think we would be this sweet, little family. When I’d been accepted to a culinary school in New York, he’d talked me out of going. Telling me what was the point of getting all those school loans if I was going to stay home to raise our kids and already knew how to cook?

  Stupidly and naively, I’d gone along with it. Let go of my dreams and goals for him. For us, I’d thought.

  My parents had never liked Andrew, something that had only pushed me closer to him. That was until I decided to surprise him at his college for Thanksgiving break after he called to tell me he couldn’t get time off from the local restaurant he worked at. I’d driven four hours there, and to my surprise, after his roommate let me into their dorm as he was leaving, there was my boyfriend, the guy I’d thought I’d marry, the one who had named our kids, in bed, snoring with some girl I’d known in high school.

  I shook away the thought before I got pissed. Getting angry at my dumbass ex was a waste of time and energy. I’d quickly learned that men came and went. Like a bus you missed, you only had to wait for a little bit to catch the next one.

  I wasn’t a blushing virgin or inexperienced. I wasn’t ashamed about my body count or the notches on my bedpost. I was honestly proud of them. I was comfortable in my body and sexuality, and figuring out how to get those needs taken care of was fine by me.

  Life is too short for mediocre sex and faking orgasms.

  As long as I was safe and not playing with anyone’s feelings, there was nothing wrong with what I was doing. I liked dating. Or you used to, a voice quipped in my head. Lately, I’d been so busy with my baking and thinking about the guy who was all about protecting and serving, I hadn’t really tried to put myself out there.

  “Best way to get over someone is to get on top of someone else,” I mumbled and forced a smile. For the first time since deciding that was the easiest, safest way to live my life, the idea of hooking up with some random tourist didn’t call me in the least.

  You should at least try, the realistic, jaded part of me said while the hopeless romantic who had struck her interest in the sheriff shook her head.

  “You know what…” I said, feeling my sisters’ gazes. “You’re right.” Their eyes widened, and two tilted their heads. “Or wait, does that mean I’m always right? Since it’s my motto?” I asked with a grin I plastered on my face. Fake it till you make it. “I think I am going to go get someone to buy me a drink.”

  “Wait, what about Luke?” Raven asked. Disappointment shimmered in her eyes. And I hated it.

  “Luke? Who’s Luke?” Scarlett asked.

  “Luke is the sheriff,” I explained, “and our baby sister⁠—“

  “I’m not a baby,” she argued like she always did any time we called her that, but I ignored her.

  “Thinks he would be the perfect guy for me,” I shared.

  “I never said he’d be perfect. No one is perfect,” Raven argued.

  “No shit,” I muttered and took a deep breath. “He’s also not interested,” I shared, pretending his rejection didn’t still sting. And because I couldn’t help myself when I needed to prove a point, I kept sharing. Too much. “I showed up at his place Friday night… well, early Saturday, wearing a very cute dress and red lipstick, and he told me to go home.” I shrugged but avoided their eyes. I could only imagine the pity in their gazes.

  “Does that mean you’re interested in him?” Coral asked. I opened and shut my mouth. What would be the point of admitting that? None. None at all, the realist in me chimed while the romantic rolled her eyes.

  “Babe, if you’re interested—“ Coral kept talking, but I shook my head.

  “It doesn’t matter. Who is driving tonight?” I asked, about to set my keys in the middle of the table but changed my mind last minute. “Never mind.” I faked a grin as I eyed my sisters, who were looking at me like they had no idea what to expect from me. Not that I took it personally. I was the wild child. “I’ll get a ride with whoever I hook up with tonight. It's been fun!” I got up and walked over to the bar.

  Two of them called after me, but I ignored them. I might have felt my sisters' eyes on me, but I didn’t turn around even though for the first time, I was tempted to. I could only imagine what they were saying.

  That I was crazy.

  That I needed to settle down.

  Just because all my siblings but my brother and I were hooked up, married or getting married and having babies, that didn’t mean I needed that. It felt like the new year had rung in, and one by one, my sisters were all knocked out cold by Cupid. As if I’d ever let that little weird cherub get near me! I scoped out the guys at the bar seeing what there was to work with.

  Best way to get over someone is to get on top of someone else, I reminded myself even though it was the last thing I wanted to do. Luke’s face flashed before my eyes, and I mentally shook it away. Focus, Oli. This wasn’t the first time I’d picked up a random guy for a one-night stand. It was honestly easier than women thought it could be.

  My eyes moved to the busy bar in the middle of the brewery. It was packed with people. At the far end, there was a group of three guys. Decent looking, but it wouldn’t work. I’d gone to high school with one, kind of knew the other two. That was the issue of living in a small town. But that wasn’t why. It was because all three guys were focused on the game playing on the big screens. Too much work.

  Next to them was a guy with dark hair, wearing an impeccable suit. Dark tattoos peeked beneath the unbuttoned collar of his crisp shirt. His face turned slightly, making it possible to check out his profile. Strong nose, great jaw, and slight scruff with a hint of silver in it. I loved older guys. They knew what they were doing. When he lifted a dark double shot of something to his lips, a gold Rolex gleamed. My eyes roamed to his hand, and a brow rose. No ring, but there was a slight tan line on it. My guess would be recently divorced. Or worse, a cheater. Either way, it could make him a possible clinger. No thanks.

  Three couples at the other end and next to them a bachelorette party. Shit.

  That’s when I saw him. A familiar face with all too familiar gray blue eyes already set on me. The smile grew on my face as I walked right to the center of the bar, taking the barstool right across from him.

  “Uh-oh, I know that look. What are you doing, trouble?” Austin Hart, my brother’s best friend and co-owner of the brewery, said, leaning forward and giving me a bright white smile.

  If it weren’t for the fact I’d known him forever, I might have been attracted to him. I more than definitely would have taken him out for a ride. Austin was tall and handsome and had this air about him that let a woman know she would not be disappointed. But he was my brother’s best friend and like a brother to me.

  “Nothing.” I frowned playfully, leaning forward. “What about you, handsome?” I said, giving him my best smile. I didn’t want Austin to take me home, but a little flirting wouldn’t hurt. He stared at me and shook his head.

  “You’re up to something.” I wanted to scowl but somehow managed to keep a semi-innocent expression on my face.

  “No, I’m not.”

  “Beautiful, how long have I known you?” he asked, taking my hand. My eyes locked with his. They were pretty. The color the exact shade of the sky just before a really great thunderstorm hit Moonlit Pines.

  But it wasn’t the right tone of blue. Not like the sheriff’s.

  “Hmm… Really long time.”

  “And how many times have you called me handsome in all those years?” I opened and quickly shut my mouth.

  We might have flirted in the past to piss Onyx off, but never seriously. Unlike Raven, who was actually now dating his other best friend and business partner, Bash.

  “Maybe I just needed some time to think what it could be like…”

  “And what’s that?”

  “I don’t know… asking you for sex on the beach?” His lips twitched. “Or the lake, since that’s closer,” I added, and he chuckled.

  “I know you.” He pointed at me. “You’re definitely up to something, and knowing you, it’s trouble with a capital T.” That earned him an eye roll I knew he took with a grain of salt.

  “I don’t know… have you ever thought about it?” He leaned closer, squeezing my hand in his.

  “Beautiful, who are you trying to make jealous?” I shook my head and leaned in.

  “No one.” I pouted since I knew my sisters couldn’t see me, if they were even still watching. “The girls are just being… obnoxious,” I shared quietly. “Do you mind if I hang out with you for a little bit?”

  “Hang or flirt?”

  “Since when does that matter?” I let my fingers skate over his thick arm.

  “Oli…” I looked up as his voice drifted away and I lost his eyes. He was no longer looking at me but above my shoulder.

  “Yeah?”

  “Any chance your sisters were bugging you about the new sheriff?” My eyes widened.

  “How did you⁠—“

  “Because he’s coming over here and looks like he wants to cut my balls off.”

  “What?” I asked, but before I could turn towards where Austin had been staring, I felt a change in the air.

  It was him.

  “Hey, Sheriff March?” Austin said, straightening as he tossed the towel he’d used to wipe the counter down casually over his shoulder. “Haven’t seen you here in a moment.”

  I felt Luke’s body press behind me.

  The heat penetrated through my dress, making me feel cold and hot at the same time. My body was acutely aware of just how close he stood. My nipples seemed to wake up and take notice.

  “Been a busy couple of days,” he shared. “Did I interrupt something?” Luke asked, his voice just above a growl. His open-palmed hand rested on my shoulder, and I shivered despite the heat that coursed through me making me feel all warm and cozy.

  Danger, Will Robinson!

  “Na, Oli here was just telling me how she wanted a margarita on the rocks.” My eyes locked with Austin’s as I tried and failed miserably to ignore the man behind me.

  “Make it two,” Luke said, and Austin might have looked at me, but all he did was nod.

  “Can I get you two anything to eat?” I opened my mouth to cancel my margarita when Luke’s deep voice cut in.

  “Two cheeseburger specials.”

  “I’ll get that going. Be right back with your drinks.” Austin winked at me before he left. I felt Luke shift to my side. I hated how much I loved how he felt next to me. When I didn’t immediately look up at him, the sheriff’s fingers rose between us, tipping my chin up, gently forcing me to acknowledge him.

  “Mind if we get a booth?” he asked. A muscle twitched beneath his eye like he was pissed. He is mad? Good!

  “No thanks,” I replied tightly but had a feeling the sheriff wasn’t going to let it go.

  Luke leaned closer. His hand cupped and stroked the side of my face so tenderly everything inside my yelled at me to lean into his touch.

  “I know you’re pissed about the last time we saw each other but⁠—“

  “Nothing,” I cut him off. “You know what? You can tell Austin to cancel my drink, not the food order, since you got two meals for yourself.”

  “Oli.” The warning in his tone was clear, but I didn’t care. He’d made me think he was interested then told me to go home!

  “I’ll see you around, Sheriff.” I quickly hopped off the barstool. At my age, I was over the stupid games men liked to play. Especially a man his age. He should know better. I grabbed my clutch and started to walk out.

  Maybe coming out tonight was a bad idea? I should have stayed home. I had just made it out the door, but not three steps later, long, strong arms locked around me.

  “Olive, I’m not playing games with you.” I turned around, surprised he let, me and laughed. Right. In. His. Face.

  “You’re not?” I asked with a smile on my face while ignoring the handful of people probably watching the whole exchange. “I’m sorry to tell you, Sheriff March, but it sure seems like you are playing games. Games that grown men like you shouldn’t be playing anymore.”

  He’d chased me, made me think he wanted me, and when I finally gave in, he hadn’t wanted me. He’d turned me away when I’d shown up on his doorstep. He was the one who had been playing games, asking me out, flirting and then rejecting me.

  “Sit and eat with me,” he ordered tersely, one arm still locked around my waist and the other hand cupping my face. God, why is that so hot? What the hell is wrong with me?

  “Why would I want to do that?” My voice was terse. My chest rose and fell heavily, like I’d run out instead of walked. His eyes searched my face.

  “Because that way, we can sit across from one another, and I call look at those pretty, dark eyes of yours and ask you to forgive me for turning you away,” he laid out honestly. I blinked. “You caught me off guard,” he shared softly, almost vulnerably. “I didn’t expect you to come over. Fuck, baby, I didn’t even know you knew where I lived. I didn’t want to take advantage in case you had been drinking.”

  “I was stone-cold sober,” I admitted.

  “But I wasn’t sure. And I didn’t want you to regret things the next morning.”

  “I wouldn’t have,” I found myself admitting softly, my body relaxing a little.

  “I like to think that’s true, but with how we’ve been… me pursuing you and you telling me no every time? I couldn’t risk screwing things up.” He leaned in, bending so his bright ocean-water gaze connected with mine. “Please? Have dinner and a drink with me? Let me drive you home after?”

  “You shouldn’t drink and drive, Sheriff.” I muttered, and his lips twitched.

  “Fine. Have dinner and a drink with me, and we can walk home after.”

  “Walk—“ I repeated and then laughed. “You’re messing with me,” I noted, and he nodded.

  “What if I skip the drink and drive you home, Cookie?”

  “Don’t call me that,” I mumbled, the fight in my voice basically gone.

  “Please?” His gaze searched mine, and I made the stupid mistake of taking a deep breath. Luke’s distinctive scent filled my lungs, and I found myself leaning closer towards him. I waited for a beat to hear something.

  A voice in my head shouting at me, to direct what way to go, but everything inside of me was quiet.

  Almost like for the first time, the realist and the hopeless romantic in me were both holding their breath, waiting to see what my heart decided.

  “Fine,” I huffed out, trying to hold on to a smidge of my usual attitude. “But you’re paying, and no drinking,” I demanded and then, for some godforsaken reason, I added, “For either of us.” His brow rose, and I could have sworn those island-water eyes of his steamed with desire. I could use that to my advantage since he’d wormed his way under my skin.

  It was time to work Sheriff Luke March out of my system.

  Good luck with that, the realist in my perked up. He looks like he wants to play for keeps. The hopeless romantic in me swooned, and the realist in me quietly nodded in agreement.

  “Why do you want to stay sober, Olive?” His lips were just a breath from mine. This close, I could smell a hint of mint on his breath, and I had no idea why I liked that. Why I found it endearing. Like he’d popped one in his mouth in case he’d bump into me.

  “So, when you take me home, you have no doubts about why I’m there. And you don’t have any excuses,” I said brazenly.

  I wasn’t kidding.

  I wasn’t a shy schoolgirl, and he had to know that about me. I was always going to ask for what I wanted. If that was too much for him⁠—

  “Fuck, I’m tempted to toss you over my shoulder and jog the two of us home right fucking now.” I blinked and laughed.

  I couldn’t help it.

  That wasn’t anywhere close to what I’d expected him to say.

  “We could, you know?” My hand drifted between us, resting on the center of his chest. It would make it easier for me to hold on to the idea that we were just scratching an itch. That anything between us could somehow stay casual and uncomplicated. Sure, lie to yourself. Let’s start doing that now!