Page 14 of Hidden Harbor (Evergreen Rescue #1)

C hili was a terrible idea. Who needed more heat when I had Anya showering only a few feet away? One flimsy door separated us. I could hear the shower spray pounding against the floor of the tub.

I pulled open the fridge, enjoying the cool breeze as I pretended not to see the sour cream and cheese. I just needed a minute.

The shower shut off. Meaning Anya was naked. So close.

Yep. Just another minute. I gritted my teeth. I’d already made it awkward with Anya. She wanted a friend. Telling myself I could be that friend and believing it were two entirely different hobbies. Especially now that I’d finally searched the motto Gran wanted me to adopt: RUN NAKED AND TALK DIRTY.

Subtle, Gran was not. And while I applauded her commitment to getting me laid, I wanted more than sex.

Sleeping with women had never come easy to me.

Men carried the reputation for wanting disposable, easy sex, but a lot of women were no different.

I wasn’t built that way. Trust took time.

Intimacy took time. Which made it incredibly out of character that I'd tried to rush things with Anya.

The fridge beeped, reminding me I was driving up Violet and Anya’s power bill with each dirty thought. I grabbed what I needed and bumped it closed, just in time for Anya to emerge from the bathroom on a cloud of steam. Like an angel. Of death. Or at least the death of my good intentions.

I forced a smile, trying to look casual and not like I’d been imagining her naked.

Her slick skin. Rosy curves. My throat felt like sandpaper.

I swallowed, trying to produce moisture instead of just imagining it on her body.

Every muscle felt taut, ready to spring into action and live out my fantasies.

“You look refreshed.”

Getting out the words with some pretense of cool should earn me an award. Brother of the Year. Roommate of the Decade. Friend of Anya.

“Thanks. Need any help?”

So much help. But not any she seemed interested in providing.

“Nope. Relax. Enjoy the couch before I take it over.”

She chuckled, the sound reaching into my chest and grabbing my guts in a vise. She was warm, soft, and oh-so-kissable right now. I shifted my gaze, aware I was staring at her mouth. Pink and lush, turned up in a gentle smile. It almost begged me to touch.

“You’re a glutton for punishment. Have you started looking for someplace else to live yet, or are you hoping your grandma will relent?”

Picturing Gran was the cold shower I needed to refocus.

“Honey, the only word to describe Gran is relentless. I have better odds of sprouting wings and nesting with the federally protected murder birds than I do of getting back into the farmhouse.”

She laughed, shaking her head. “ Federally protected murder birds ?”

“The eagles. They’re always harassing my mom’s chickens.”

“The first time I ever saw one was here in Eagle Cove,” Anya said, her lips turning up at the corners. “They are majestic.”

“And mean. Kind of like Gran. To answer your question, yes, I started looking at listings. My luck would have been better if I started a few months ago.”

“Yeah. What kind of property or living situation are you looking for?”

“One that doesn’t rely on the whims of an octogenarian.”

Anya chuckled, the soft sound making me smile. “Are you going to rent or buy?”

“Probably rent at first. Assuming I can find anything.”

“I’ll put out some feelers with my students, see what they know.”

“Thanks, Anya.” I held up my pinched fingers. “I’m this close to putting up a post on What’s New, Friday Harbor begging.”

She giggled. “That’s a post I’d like to see.” She chortled. “That’s a post I’d like to write .”

I rolled my eyes. “Get in line. I’m sure Vi would like a shot at assassinating my character for the entire island to gloat over. I can see it now: thirty-something hermit seeking new rock to crawl under.”

“Aw, Drew. You’re too hard on yourself. I’m sure you’ll find something nice.”

“Before or after I wear out my welcome here?”

Her expression sobered. Her fingers fluttered at my wrist. Like she wanted to touch but wasn’t sure of her welcome.

“We wouldn’t kick you out.” She probably meant to be reassuring, but it sent my pulse galloping like a wild stallion.

“Speak for yourself.” Anya flinched. Vi’s words startled us both. I’d been too engrossed in Anya to hear her open the back door. Casually, I stepped away from Anya, meeting my sister’s assessing gaze.

“Hey, sis. Dinner’s ready when you are.”

She trudged through the kitchen and dropped heavily into a chair at the table, melting over the chair back. “Feed me. I’m exhausted.”

“Tough day?” Anya asked.

“Not terrible. I had to listen to a ten-minute diatribe from a customer who didn’t have a ferry reservation and was shocked that they were stuck on island an extra night.

” Vi shrugged. “I mean, I get it. It sucks. But you came to an island. Planning for the return trip is just as important as the trip out.”

“That’s why I just don’t leave,” I said officiously.

Anya chuckled. “Be careful or you’ll be right about that WNFH post.”

“I’m just a hermit in need of a rock.”

Violet glanced between us. “I don’t think anyone on the island would consider that news.”

I dished up chili, and Anya and I took spots at the kitchen table.

“This is delicious,” Anya complimented.

I was far too old for flushed cheeks and stammering, but it still took effort to respond placidly. “Thanks.”

My sister sighed, drawing out the sound theatrically. “I guess we’ll keep you if you’re cooking for us.”

“Thanks, sis.” My tone was wry. Her lip twitched.

She turned to Anya. “Having brothers is a blessing and a curse.”

Anya cast me a sideways glance from beneath her lashes, pursing her mouth. “I wouldn’t know.”

Vi waved a hand in the air. “I forget you’re an only child. Lucky duck. What’s it like not to have to share everything?”

“Not all it’s cracked up to be.”

Something about Anya’s guarded tone made me want to protect her from further questions. She’d folded, hunching in on herself with every word about family.

“Vi, what did you really have to share?” I scoffed gently. “You were the only girl.”

“The car. Mom and Dad’s attention.” She ticked off items on her fingers. “Gran.” She scowled down at her extended middle finger. “Maybe I’m grateful for that one. Sometimes less scrutiny from her is a good thing.”

I chuckled. She wasn’t wrong. I wouldn’t be in my current predicament if it weren’t for Gran’s tendency to butt into her grandchildren’s lives.

Anya seemed to relax as conversation turned away from family dynamics and toward garden-variety small-town gossip.

Vi was convinced we were getting a new Chinese restaurant, but I argued that none of our general contractors could keep a secret worth beans, and I hadn’t heard anything about a new project.

I’d believe it when I saw the grand opening sign.

After dinner, Violet yawned. “I didn’t sleep well last night, so I’m going to go rot in my bed and turn in early. You good if I abandon you for cleanup?”

I nodded, and she slipped out of the kitchen. Anya helped me with the dishes, a peaceful silence settling between us. The sun was just drifting toward the horizon, the waning rays lighting the kitchen in a gentle glow as I put the last bowl away.

“I’m too restless for TV.” She glanced outside. “It’s not dark yet. Maybe I’ll get in a walk. Do you want to join me?”

It was impossible to gauge if her offer was sincere, or if she truly wanted to be alone. Their tiny house didn’t leave us a lot of options if we stayed indoors. But given recent events, I wasn’t wild about her wandering the road overlooking the bay at dusk on her own.

“Want to see if we can catch the sunset instead?” I asked. We should have just enough time to drive out to Lime Kiln or one of the other hot spots for sunset chasers.

“Ooh. Yes… That’s a great idea. It looks like it’s going to be a good one tonight. I haven’t been out to the lighthouse in forever.”

It was probably a bad time to tell Anya her eyes sparkled prettier than any sunset. I pushed down the impulse.

“I’ll just grab my keys.”