Page 64 of After You Returned

“And violates our privacy.”

Miles grins as he sits next to me. “Violates our privacy because you don’t want to get caught streaking through downtown?”

I elbow him. “I’m not the one who got caught streaking through downtown while carrying a raccoon.”

“Not any old raccoon. It was Rogue from Rogue’s Landing. The people of Rogue’s Landing hadn’t even realized I’d stolen their live mascot.”

It’s tradition on the island to ‘steal’ the live mascot from other towns. Smuggler’s Rest has an otter named Viking. No one has a chance of stealing him since Parker keeps him close to her at all times. Rogue’s Landing has the raccoon. And Pirate’s Perch has a dirty-mouthed parrot.

“I can’t believe Rogue didn’t bite you.”

He grins. “He likes me.”

Sammy barks.

“And I like you, too, Sammy.”

“You and animals. You’re almost as good with them as my brothers.”

“Whoa! No one is as good with animals as Thomas and Ian. Those sheep would jump off a cliff for your brothers.”

“Let’s hope not. Sounds bloody.”

Silence falls but it doesn’t last long. “You going to tell me what’s wrong?”

I wasn’t planning on it. “Why do you think anything’s wrong?”

He motions toward my bike. “You only ride your bike when you’re upset or drunk. You’re not drunk. You must be upset.”

“How do you know I’m not drunk? Maybe I had a boozy brunch with cocktails.”

He lifts his eyebrow and waits. I blow out a breath.

“Fine. I didn’t have a boozy brunch.”

He nudges me with his shoulder. “What’s wrong? Why are you upset? Do you need me to ruin someone’s life?”

“You can ruin someone’s life?”

He snorts. “Have you met my brothers?”

He’s not wrong.

“Come on. Tell me what’s wrong. I can’t fix it if I don’t know what it is.”

“You don’t need to fix anything. I can handle anything life throws at me.”

He drops an arm around my shoulders and draws me near. “I know you can. But you don’t have to. You have me now.”

I wish I had him. I wish I could trust him to stay when the staying gets tough. But I can’t. He’s already bored with hisjob at the distillery. What happens when the newness of our relationship has worn off? Will his boredom chase him away from Smuggler’s Hideaway again?

I push those thoughts away. I have enough on my plate without worrying about Miles.

“I got a job.”

“Yes! How exciting! We should celebrate. Drinks, dinner, dancing, karaoke. The whole shebang!”

I stop him before he can jump to his feet. “It’s not on the island.”