Page 17 of Suddenly Beck

‘My shoes,’ I clarify in embarrassment. ‘Rubber soles for health and safety, combined with this flooring create static electricity.’

Oh my god, I sound like a complete dickhead. Why on earth is my mouth still moving?

‘Uh huh.’ He smiles as he watches me.

‘Oh.’ Melanie glances over to the door. ‘Looks like we’ve got some more customers. It’s starting to pick up. I’d better come and help out with the cooking, just let me get everyone seated.’ Her attention is fixed on the people waiting to be served. ‘Beck, be nice,’ she warns as she hurries across the restaurant.

‘So.’ He grins widely, his eyes glittering with mischief. ‘Lieutenant Dan, we meet again.’

‘Nat,’ I correct him.

‘I remember.’ His mouth quirks, and my gaze snags on those dimples, making my gut tighten.

My belly jumps nervously, and I flush again trying not the think about the fact that I’ve tugged one off over this ridiculously good-looking guy… actually more than one if I’m being honest.

God, what is wrong with me? He’s probably not even gay or into me if he is. He’s undoubtedly just being friendly, and he’s Melanie’s son, which instantly puts him off limits anyway. Not that I was planning on making a move or anything. I wouldn’t even know how to; I’ve never even attempted to flirt with a guy before.

Urgh, my inner monologue is just annoying me now. I’m making this into something it’s not. Pushing aside the inconvenient attraction I feel and the complete mortification of the fact he’s had a starring role in my spank bank since the moment I met him, I force myself to think of him just like anyone else. Placing him very deliberately in a box labelled do not touch.

Slowly, the knot in my belly unfurls, and I begin to relax. I can do this, and just because he’s insanely attractive doesn’t mean I can’t hold a conversation with him, but then my mind rolls back to the last conversation we had on the beach, and my gaze narrows.

‘What?’ he asks curiously.

‘Just… ask… for… Molly?’ I repeat slowly and deliberately.

He barks out a loud and honest laugh. ‘Yeah, I probably should’ve warned you, but she’s harmless.’

‘Yeah…’ I drawl out sarcastically. ‘Harmless… like an octopus.’ He laughs again. ‘Seriously the woman has freakishly strong hands for a seventy-year-old.’

Beck shakes his head. ‘Molly’s place really is the nicest around here. Sexual harassment suits and groping OAPs aside, Bea runs a tight ship, and her daughter Lila is friends with my younger sisters.’

‘Would that be Juni and Joss?’ I ask curiously.

‘That’s right,’ he replies as he studies me.

‘She mentioned them the night I arrived, and someone called Quinn,’ I explain.

‘Ah.’ He nods. ‘Quinn’s my younger brother.’

‘Small world.’

‘Not in the bay.’ He shakes his head, a small smile playing on his lips. ‘Trust me, everyone knows everyone. It was a nightmare trying to get away with anything in our formative years.’

‘How many of you are there?’ I ask, although Melanie has mentioned her kids, she didn’t go into detail, probably because she’s had her hands full with the mess at the restaurant.

‘Six,’ he answers with an easy smile. ‘Juniper and Jocelyn are twins, and the babies of the family; they’ve just turned eighteen. Quinn is twenty, and he’s usually at Uni in Exeter. Then there’s me and Jesse, and Reed, he’s the oldest.’

‘Wow, your parents liked to keep busy.’

‘Suckers for punishment I guess,’ he murmurs softly, his smile tainted with a hint of sadness, and I remember that he only lost his dad a year ago. ‘We gave them plenty of punishment over the years.’

‘I’ll bet.’ I smile as I add some more butter and garlic leaves to the saucepan and give it a little shake, listening to it sizzle before deftly slicing another lobster and setting it on the grill.

‘You got any sibs?’ Beck asks.

‘What?’ I look up. ‘Oh,’ I reply evasively. ‘Just the one, Sophia. She’s older and married, but we’re not close anymore.’

‘Anymore?’