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“I’m truly looking forward to exploring all the best spots. The boardwalk alone sounds like somewhere one could spend a lot of time.”

“It is.” I deflated against my will. She’d be exploring my town, and I wasn’t going to be a part of it. Why did I feel completely off balance by all this? I knew why. Because she’d blindsided me. Again. That’s what Kyle did, apparently. “It’s the perfect day for it,” I said in my most serene tone. “Have a nice time.”

I didn’t look back. Everything in me longed to stalk to my car, but I made a point to glide. She would not win whatever game she was playing. I had a beautiful woman fresh into town who was interested in getting to know me, and nothing made me want to get to know her more than Kyle’s appearance in Dreamer’s Bay.

Chapter Eight

First Dates and Bars

“I just think you should be required by law to tell someone if you’re the returning cornhole champions,” MJ said, beer halfway to her lips. Ronnie Roo’s was the perfect unwind for the four of us after MJ and I had lost epically to the resident sharks in town. “There should be a firm declaration.”

“Define champion,” Elizabeth said, in earnest. “We won last week. But not the week before. So by that token, do we declare forever or only right after a win?” Both of these women were ultra-competitive, and I was here for the watch party.

Devyn threaded her fingers through Elizabeth’s at the high-top table we occupied in the bar. She had her blond hair in a ponytail, the picture of sporty and cute. It reminded me of her head cheerleader days. “Elizabeth’s right,” Devyn said. “We’re merely trying to make our way in this big cornhole universe.” She blinked her eyes in innocence that nobody bought. She was a former big-city wheeler and dealer in the corporate real estate world, taking no prisoners. When Devyn went after something, she generally achieved it. Elizabeth had a way of turning her into a warm puddle, however, which was fun to watch in real time.

“I feel like we were hustled tonight,” MJ said to me. We’d teamed up in the weekly tournament and hadn’t had the best showing. Devyn and Elizabeth smoked us easily in round one, followed by an apologetic Maya and Jason for our final elimination.

I touched my glass of Sav Blanc to her pint glass of some local IPA. “I don’t disagree. I’m fairly confident they practice in their backyard while the rest of us sleep.”

Elizabeth nodded solemnly. “You’ve figured us out.”

Devyn shook her head, grinning. “Another round?”

MJ waved her off. “I have an early round of showings in the morning.”

“What about you, Savanna?” Devyn asked.

I was enjoying myself, so why not? “I’m in.”

“Awesome. Be right back.” Devyn disappeared to the bar, and Elizabeth merged into a conversation at the next high-top over with her friend, Dexter, and his fiancée, Amber. Dexter was my strong, bald occasional gym friend who didn’t take any prisoners. When I needed a spotter, Dex was always there. I was surprised when Amber had managed to land him in a forever, head-over-heels relationship. He hadn’t seemed the type until she’d shown up. But that’s what love did, it changed everything you knew about yourself.

MJ met my gaze. “Hey.”

“Hey, back.”

“Today was great,” she said, covering my hand with hers. “I had fun being on your team and listening to you trash talk.”

“It’s the only part of the game I’m good at. I’m sorry about that last round.” I tossed in a wince. “I feel personally responsible for this tragic loss in the parking lot of the hardware store.”

“It’s probably something we’ll never forget. I really wish you’d tried harder.” She leaned in as she broke into a smile and we laughed together. It was nice, enjoying a moment with her. I was comfortable around her and at ease. I also liked the way she teased me. “Want to get together again sometime? Just us?”

The insinuation was clear. A second date. Bam. I was all for it. “Yes. Let’s do dinner,” I said, feeling confident in the decision. “There’s a new little seafood place just outside of town I’ve been meaning to try. It was reviewed by Alexis Wakefield on her blog, so everyone around here’s been feeling a little famous.”

“Oh, I like her. She’s funny in her reviews. Decided. We have to go.” She glanced at her phone. “Speaking of going, I’m getting concerned about the amount of prep I have to do tonight for my appointment tomorrow. I usually have comps pulled and figures ready to go, and I’m behind.”

“Then get out of here already. I’ll be heading out soon, too. Working in the morning.”

She stood and slid her bag onto her arm. “I’m jealous of your job. The grocery store seems like such a cheerful place.”

“Most people don’t get that,” I said, standing up, too.

She ran a hand from my shoulder to my hand and gave it a squeeze. “I wish I could stay longer.”

I smiled and threaded our fingers. It wasn’t a good night kiss, but it was a step. “Me, too. I’ll reach out about that dinner.”

“I can’t wait,” she said, backing away and waving with both hands.

MJ dashed off to say goodbye to Devyn and Elizabeth as I exhaled, alone at the table and catching my breath. The second half of the day had been a much-needed reprieve from my own thoughts. I’d redirected them back to the friends I was with anytime they tried to drift…elsewhere. I’d just have to keep doing that. It was that simple.