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“He’s not a bad guy—just opinionated.”

“That’s one word for it.”

Dani’s mouth twitched. “I do appreciate your input, Ash. To be honest, I’m sure Ariel would agree with you. Problem is the money.”

“Then I’ll buy it.”

She shook her head. “No, I can’t have you do that.”

“Why not? I offered.” Asher dragged a hand over his face. “Listen, Dani, I respect wanting to keep business on island, but a wooden stage will be heavy and cumbersome. And slick if there’s the slightest bit of rain. How will you store it when the concert’s over? Take it apart and rebuild the next time?”

“If there is a next time.”

He lifted her chin. “Hey, it’s a great idea. I’m sure it will be the first of many concerts.”

“Thanks for the name, by the way. And the idea for the battle of the bands. Sadie mentioned you came up with them.”

Heat warmed his neck as he shoved his hands in the front pockets of his frayed jeans.

“You know, there’s still room on our schedule for another act. I was serious before when I asked if you’d be willing to sing.”

He couldn’t shake his head fast enough. “No, that part of my life is over. Went up in flames, remember? Literally.”

She pressed a hand against his arm. “But it doesn’t have to be. God has given you an incredible talent.”

“Oh, yeah? I seem to be more talented in destroying the lives of those I love.” His voice rose as he shook off her arm. A band cinched around his chest, creating a vise around his lungs. “Where was God then? Huh? God doesn’t care about people like me. I deserve to be alone.”

With that, he pushed past her and strode down the sidewalk.

“You’re wrong, Asher.” She called after him.

He stopped at the pain in Dani’s voice and turned.

Her eyes glistened as her eyebrows furrowed. “I hope you can realize that someday, before it’s too late.”

He closed his eyes as her words socked him in the chest. He rubbed a hand over his sternum, his gut on fire, and kept walking. He strode past the door as Sadie stepped onto the sidewalk.

“Asher, you okay?”

He lifted a hand but didn’t stop. Couldn’t. If he did, then she’d see the pain on his face. And nobody needed to witness his silent torture. And he didn’t want anyone else’s pity.

He should’ve stayed home. He should’ve stayed with the ‘no’ he’d given Sadie after she asked for his help with the stage. Getting involved with the island and anyone here was only going to lead to trouble.

Was something going on between Dani and Asher?

Asher retreated into the darkness, his form becoming nothing but a shadow under the streetlights. And leaving Sadie with more questions.

She stepped onto the sidewalk and hurried over to Dani, who stood against the restaurant wall with a hand covering her face.

“Hey, you okay?”

Dani jumped. Seeing Sadie, she nodded. She pasted on a smile that Sadie knew was fake.

“Everything okay between you and Asher?”

Frowning, Dani waved away Sadie’s question. “Yes, it’s fine. Just a difference of opinions, that’s all. I wanted to remind him of his value to the island. We didn’t see eye to eye on something I said.”

“About the stage?”