Page 46 of From the Start

Miles taps his chin as he studies me. “Do you think he’s sick?”

I know I caused this myself by constantly being late, letting Jaxon do the bulk of my work, and generally goofing off during work hours. But I’m trying here. Failing to understand how to make a spreadsheet. But I’m trying.

“Piss off. I work.”

“Do you think this has anything to do with Harper?” Zane asks Miles.

Harper. I can’t get our kiss out of my mind. I knew the second I saw her a few months ago that it would be heaven to kiss her. And I was right. Her tasteis addictive.

Too bad the stubborn woman fights me every single step of the way. It won’t stop me. I know what I want and I’m not giving up. Especially since I know she wants me. She’s just fighting me to fight me at this point.

“Ugh.” Miles feigns throwing up. “He has the same look on his face that Rhett had when he was chasing Dakota.”

“Love is in the air.” Zane shivers. “No thanks.”

I frown. Zane and Miles are such players. Zane always has been. But Miles was devoted to Hazel before he went off to become a professional surfer.

I’m different from them. I don’t enjoy chasing women and forgetting their names in the morning. I want to be loved. I want to wake up to the same woman every morning. Go to sleep with the same woman every night. After rocking her world, of course.

“Come on.” Miles flicks the lights. “We’re going to Mermaid Karaoke and you’re coming with.”

The only reason I’m going is because theBootleggerbar, where karaoke takes place, isn’t far fromRumrunner.Maybe I can sneak over to check on Harper. Or maybe she’ll come toBootlegger.

Thirty minutes later, I realize I’ve made a mistake.Rumrunneris completely packed with women dressed up as mermaids and men trying to chase them. It is not my scene. When I was eighteen and sneaking into the bar, it wasn’t my scene.

Miles and Zane, on the other hand, are having the time of their lives.

“What do you think of the blonde?” Miles points to a woman.

Zane’s nose wrinkles. “She has trouble written all over her.”

“Shall I order us some drinks?” I don’t wait for their reply and make my way through the crowd to the bar.

“Alaia!” I wave to the bartender to get her attention.

“Kai Raider.” She narrows her eyes at me. “Are you old enough to be in here? I need to see some ID.”

I roll my eyes. Alaia was in the same class as Eli. She knows exactly how old I am.

“What are you doing slinging drinks? Are you trying to find your next story at the bar?”

“I don’t exactly get to write stories for theSmuggler’s Gazette.”

TheSmuggler’s Gazetteis the local free newspaper. It mostly contains help wanted ads, classifieds, and houses for sale.

“I thought the article you wrote about the sheep getting loose was funny.”

She sighs. “Those Harris brothers are trouble. Speaking of trouble.” She nods to the person behind me and I whirl around with a smile on my face.

“Oh.” It’s not Harper.

“Oh?” The woman scowls. “You’re going to lose my vote for sexiest man on the island if you don’t show any enthusiasm.”

She reaches for me. I raise my hands in the air and back up as much as possible in this crowded bar.

“Not interested.”

“If you weren’t interested, youwouldn’t be here.”