Page 10 of Something Real with the Sea Monster (Kraken Cove #3)

TEN

Tegan

“Are you sure you don’t mind me crashing at your house indefinitely?” I ask Mia for the millionth time on Friday night.

She laughs, pushing a strand of hair off her face and taking a sip of tea. “Of course I don’t mind. I’m so excited to have you around, you don’t understand. I’ve missed you.”

I look up from my laptop where I’m scanning through websites for boutique hotels. I had an idea about something I wanted to try on the Inlet Views’ website but I can’t find a good comparison. “Oh, I’ve missed you too! I can’t believe you moved here and left me all alone in Sydney!”

“You know there’s an easy solution. You should come join me. I’m telling you it’s beautiful here and you’d get used to the differences.”

I sigh. “Kraken Cove is beautiful. I just don’t know if I could live in such a small town. You know me. I’m already having retail withdrawal.” That’s not the only thing I’m missing. I could really use wine, but I haven’t even gone a whole day. That feels a bit weak.

Mia laughs again. “Well that’s what the internet is for, silly.”

She finishes her tea and goes back upstairs to her studio to finish working on her latest painting. I get up and check the fridge, but there’s no booze. Disappointed, I make myself a tea instead.

By the time Luke comes in, dropping his work boots at the door and calling out to us, I’ve switched to the sofa and am scrolling social media, thinking. It looks like I’m doing nothing, but there really is deep thinking going on at a fundamental level. “Hey, Luke.”

Luke flicks the kettle on. “Artist still at work upstairs?”

A message from Jack pops up on my phone. “Huh? Oh yeah. Mia’s still upstairs.”

Jack: do I actually have to sit here and scroll through women like they’re being served up to me on a restaurant menu?

I laugh. Yes. You have to scroll and don’t be afraid to drop some likes as well. It helps the algorithm know what you’re interested in

Jack: the algo-what?

I can’t help laughing again. I don’t think he’s opened the apps at all since I set up accounts for him last weekend. It’s like he’s shy or something, which doesn’t make sense to me. He’s gorgeous and sweet. A real catch.

Luke looks over. “What’s got you laughing away over there?”

I pause typing my reply to Jack to wave my phone in the air for a moment. “Your brother clearly needs help. I mean, it’s serious. Were you aware he hasn’t had a date in ten years?”

Luke pours hot water into a mug and drops in a teabag. “I wouldn’t waste your time, Tegan. He’s a lost cause. Even Mom gave up years ago.”

“No! He just needs some pointers. Someone to steer him in the right direction.”

“If you say so.” Luke takes the mug of tea upstairs to Mia, and I go back to messaging, thinking about what he said. I can’t believe nobody seems to see what a catch Jack is.

I don’t know the guy very well, but he seems dependable, caring, loyal. God, I wish more guys were like that.

Tegan: don’t play dumb. I know you know

Jack: OK I do, but I won’t pretend to understand it. I’ll do what you say, but I want you to know I’m not enjoying it

Mia cooks dinner, and I help as much as I can. I’ve never been the world’s greatest cook, but I can make a mean salad. We’re sitting around after dinner, and I pull out my phone to check, but there’re no new messages.

I frown.

Tegan: well? Progress report please.

Jack replies almost instantly. Nothing! I told you this wouldn’t work

Tegan: Do I need to come down there?

Jack: yeah, probably. I clearly need supervision

I tap the phone on my chin, thinking for a moment. Mia and Luke are snuggled up together on the sofa, and I’m clearly a third wheel. That wouldn’t normally bother me, but I have to admit, I don’t mind the idea of spending more time with Jack.

That decided, I get to my feet and slip on my shoes.

I’m in a pair of denim shorts and a hoodie, but I don’t bother changing.

It occurs to me as I’m halfway there, strolling down main street, how freeing it is to be going out but not worried about how I look.

To walk right through the center of town and not have a single fuck to give.

I would never go anywhere in Sydney with no makeup on. I even wear makeup to the gym.

When I ring the buzzer, Jack must run down the stairs. He’s there in seconds. He pauses as he opens the door and looks me up and down. “You look good. Did you do something different with your hair?”

I laugh out loud, given the fact I’ve tossed it into a messy bun and was wearing it out and meticulously styled before. “Yeah. You could say that.”

He smiles as he holds the door open and then locks it behind me. “Well you look nice. It suits you.”

I don’t quite believe the compliment, but then again, I can’t think what reason he would have to lie. I head up the stairs to the apartment still mulling it over.

“You want something to drink?” Jack asks.

I groan. “Yes, but I’d better stick with tea. Thanks. When are you going to show me what you’re working with?”

The living area is open plan. Jack goes into the kitchen, and I take a seat on the sofa.

“Take a look if you like. My phone’s just there.” He jerks his head to indicate his phone, which is sitting on the edge of the coffee table.

I pick it up and am surprized to find he’s got no screen lock. Small-town people are so trusting! I open the app and start flicking through while he makes the tea.

By the time he comes over with two steaming mugs, I’m reading one that seems quite promising.

“What about her?” I turn the screen so he can see it.

The lady in the profile picture has a cute smile.

She’s short, with curly brown hair and fringe that falls into her eyes.

Her lips are painted a bright red, and she’s holding a drink. I think she looks friendly.

Jack shrugs. “She’s nice I guess.”

“OK, no. You can do better than nice.” I swipe left and look over the next profile, scrolling down to a picture of a blonde lady in bathers. She has a curvy figure with large breasts that impress even me. I waggle my eyebrows at Jack. “Not bad.”

Jack holds out his hand, and I pass him his phone. He scrolls through the profile in silence. After a moment he shakes his head. “She’s two hours away. No deal.”

I laugh. “OK, Mr. Picky. Keep looking.”

He flicks through a few profiles. It annoys me not being able to see, so I scootch closer on the couch.

When he flicks to a profile with a tall redhead, I snatch the phone. “What about her?”

This woman has a photo of her in a pretty sundress and another in shorts at the beach.

“Her name is Joanne,” says Jack, as if that settles it.

“So?”

“So that’s my mom’s name. I couldn’t date a Joanne. That would just be weird.”

I roll my eyes. “You’re impossible. It’s like you’re looking for problems. I think you should commit to meeting some of these people in real life. It’s way harder to look for problems with a real person in front of you.”

“I don’t know.”

I hand back the phone and there’s a pause where we both sip our tea. I’m still sitting very close to Jack, but I don’t move. I’m not really sure why. I guess I’ve gotten comfortable around him pretty quickly. He’s easy to feel comfortable around.

“So tell me about this guy from Sydney,” he says. “If you want to. If you’re ready to talk about it.”

He’s probably just looking for a way to take the spotlight off him for a while. I guess that’s fair. Since he’s been vulnerable with me about his love life, it seems only right for me to do that same. I sigh. “He had red flags all over him from the start.”

“Mmm?”

“Well, for one thing, he was my boss.”

Jack lifts a brow but says nothing.

I keep going. “And for another, he’s married. I know that sounds bad, but when we started seeing each other he told me they were separated. He said they were just finalizing the separation and hadn’t fucked in months. I guess now I’m not so sure.”

“You think he lied?”

I shrug. “He might have. I don’t know if it’s better to know or not know. I mean if he lied, technically, I helped him cheat.”

“Not your fault if he lied,” Jack says.

I nod. “I know that on paper. It still sucks though.”

“Mmm.” There’s a pause. Jack takes a sip of tea. Then he asks a question I’m not prepared for. “What did you like about him?”

My throat gets tight, and I have to take a moment to breathe through it.

“I dunno. The passion I guess. The way he couldn’t get enough of me.

The way he used to say things to me like no one’s ever made him feel that way before.

I guess he made me feel special.” It sounds pretty cheap and self-centered saying it out loud like that.

Jack sets down his tea, and for a moment I think he’s going to reach for my hand. “Tegan, you are special. I know I don’t know you really well, but I can see it. If you’re ever with anyone who doesn’t, then he’s not the guy for you.”

I wish I could look away from the warmth in his green eyes. Him looking at me like that makes it fucking hard not to cry. “Yeah.”

“Really.”

I brush away a stupid tear and snatch up his phone again. “Stop trying to distract me! Let’s find you a girlfriend! You’re too sweet to go to waste.”