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

THREE

Tegan

Luke’s brother is hotter than I remember. That’s the first thing I think as I see him.

Mia looks between us. “Tegan, Jack. Jack, Tegan. You remember each other from the wedding?”

He holds out his hand in a sweet old-fashioned gesture. “Hi, Tegan. Good to see you again.”

He’s got a short dad-beard situation going on, though I remember him as clean shaven.

The beard suits him. He’s dressed in smart jeans and a clean white shirt.

Neat, but casual. Boy-next-door charm. His smile is tired, though.

It’s the sort of smile that, on a cute guy, usually makes me want to see if I can brighten it.

I can’t help it, OK? I’m permanently ovulating.

But that’s old Tegan. New Tegan isn’t looking at cute boys or men or whatever we’re calling this quietly masculine guy who’s just that bit older than me and has a deep, rumbly voice which vibrates my lady parts and makes my nipples stand up and pay attention.

Nope. Not doing that. “Yeah. Same.” I shake his hand and make myself look away.

I pour myself a large glass of wine and grab a slice of pizza, finding a spot beside Jack on an outdoor plastic chair. “Wow, I can’t get over the sunsets here.” I glance over my shoulder then back at Mia who grins.

“It is amazing, huh? It’s so good to see you. How long do you have off work?”

I shrug. “Dunno yet. I’m not sure if I’m even going back.”

“Really?”

“Really. If I never have to see Mark again, it will be too soon.” I hate that there’s still a twist in my belly when I think of him. And that if he called right now, I know I’d answer. I should definitely block his number. Only I couldn’t bear to do it yet.

Mia nods. “Mark your boss Mark? Well, you know you’re welcome for as long as you like.

Kraken Cove is a good place to heal from heartbreak.

” She gives Luke a meaningful look, and I can’t help smiling at the adoring one he shoots her right back.

I’m sure Kraken Cove is a good place to heal if you fall in the lap of your gorgeous kraken fated mate.

But I don't know what I’d do with a fated mate now even if I had one. My heart feels like it’s malfunctioning. I’m not even sure it’s ever worked properly.

“Sounds like there’s a background story there.” Jack gives me a sympathetic smile.

I sigh. “It’s not glamorous. Basically I shouldn’t have gone there, and I did. So no one should be surprised that I’ve ended up hurt.”

“I think you’re being too hard on yourself,” says Mia.

I drain the rest of the wine in my glass and reach for the bottle. “You’re biased. You always say that. But thanks for the vote of confidence. Next topic.”

Luke steers the conversation to a project he’s been working on, and I’m grateful. I really don’t want to talk about Mark right now. Or, like, ever again.

Soon the pizza is gone and Jack heads into the kitchen and returns with cheese and more wine, and when my head is nicely fuzzy and my belly is full, I’m feeling a little better. I’m distracted at least. And I haven’t checked my phone in several hours.

Go me.

Jack pushes his second glass away. “That’s it for me. I should head to bed. Big day tomorrow.”

“Even on the weekend?” I ask.

Jack scoffs. “There are no weekends for me. Every day is a workday.”

“You know, you should really think about hiring some help,” Luke says.

“Yeah,” I add. “You should. Wait, what are you hiring help for anyway?” I might have had one too many wines.

Jack laughs. “I’m running the Inlet Views, and I’ve been thinking about hiring someone to help with bookings and running the website. Orders. That sort of thing. But finding someone at short notice is hard, especially when the position might only be temporary.”

I blink. A temporary job sounds pretty good right about now. “Well I could do it. Why don’t you hire me?”

Mia sits up straighter with a gasp. “Really?”

“Sure. Why not? I’ve worked in hospitality.

How hard could it be?” Technically it was more like PR, since the job was as a party planner for a club in Sydney.

Mostly it was flirting with guys and making them want to come buy me drinks at the bar, but he doesn’t have to know that. Tom-ay-to, tom-ah-to, right?

“Wow, really?” Jack runs a hand through his hair. “I might just take you up on that. Are you sure?”

“Of course.” I open my hands in what’s meant to be a confident gesture, but it’s kind of spoiled when I almost knock over my wine glass. Luke catches it and sets it to rights. “I’d be happy to help. Sign me up.”

“Well, how about you come by in the morning, and I’ll talk you through it, and we can see if you’d be a good fit? I could definitely use the help.”

“You say that like you don’t believe I would be amazing at this job!”

“No. Not at all. It’s just…” He pauses and I pout.

I’d be fucking brilliant at his stupid job.

“I don’t even know what I’m doing half the time. I’m not sure I’m qualified. And uh… well it’s hard work.”

“And you think I’m afraid of a little hard work?

” What about me would make him think that?

Well, apart from my fake nails and my fake lashes and my fake tan and my one hundred percent leather heeled Louboutin boots and yeah, OK.

Maybe I look like I’m afraid to get my hands dirty, but I’m not.

“Don’t answer that.” I hold up my finger.

“I promise I got my promotion at my last job before I started giving the boss blow jobs on the regular.” I frown.

“I should probably stop with the TMI right about now.”

Mia laughs. “Come on, Teegs. Let’s get you into bed. We’ll pick up your car tomorrow.”

I roll my eyes but let her help me up from the plastic chair and wave to Jack.

We walk to her car, and she gets in the back with me while Luke climbs into the driver’s seat. “Are you sure you want to take a job at the Inlet Views? Not that I’m trying to put you off or anything, but it will be a bit different to your old job.” Mia gives me an anxious look.

“Good. Different is good. Really good. Besides, I’ve missed you guys. It will be good to have a reason to stick around for a while.”

“Aww, I missed you too.” We’re both tearing up, and I catch Luke’s fond smile in the rearview mirror as we hug and wipe at wet eyes.

“It’ll be good to have you around,” Luke chips in. “You can help Mia decide on her design for the nursery. She’s spent two weeks going back and forth between yellow and green.”

My eyes widen, and I squeeze Mia’s hand. “Then does this mean…?”

She gives me a huge grin as she nods. “I was waiting until you got here to tell you. We haven’t told anyone yet. I got so nervous that something would go wrong, but I’m pregnant!”

Now we really are crying and squealing and clutching each other’s hands. “Oh my god, you guys. I feel like this is a sign. I was definitely meant to come visit. Good things are on the horizon. I just feel it.”“Me too.” Mia smiles at me. “Maybe Kraken Cove will heal your broken heart too.”

I nod. “I certainly hope so. Even if I don’t find my own hot kraken.”

I can’t help that my mind darts back to Luke’s very hot older brother, but it’s only fleeting.

I’m sure Jack has a lovely girlfriend, and even if he doesn’t, I’m not doing that right now.

I’m officially on a break from men and monsters and everything but self-care and self-improvement.

I’m in my find myself era and it’s time to focus on me for a change.

I’m feeling almost optimistic when we get back to Luke and Mia’s. So much so that I send a message to my mother who I avoid like the plague unless I’m on top of the world.

Tegan: hey, Mom. Things weren’t working out for me at my job so I’m taking some time off and staying in Kraken Cove with Mia. No need to worry. I’m already applying for new jobs.

It’s not technically true, but I had a tip off that my dream job at Stratos Group might be advertised soon, so I have a good feeling.

The good feeling is a little withered by morning when I still don’t have a reply from Mom.