Page 11 of The Scent of Salt & Sand

“Mel, I thought that was you. I can’t believe my luck. I was just thinking about you, and it’s like you suddenly appeared.”

“Hello.”

Her smile was as nervous as it was beautiful. He smiled back at her, doing his best to look nonthreatening and non-stalkerlike.

“How are you? I mean, you swam away so fast I figured you were okay, but that water’s pretty rough out there,” Dean said.

The blonde’s laughter was a bright, happy sound that filled the little store. “Oh, Melody is a strong swimmer. You don’t ever need to worry about her in the water.”

“Melody,” Dean repeated. “That’s a lot prettier than Mel.”

“Yes,” Melody said. “Thank you.”

There was an awkward silence during which Dean frantically tried to come up with something, anything charming, or at least intelligent, to say. Thankfully, Melody’s friend came to his rescue.

“You must be the hero who thought our Melody needed saving yesterday morning.” She held out her hand. “I’m Harmony Seirina, Melody’s cousin. Thanks for going into the water after her.”

“Dean Kent,” he said, taking her hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

She looked from Dean to Melody, and her gray eyes sparkled mischievously. “Melody, you didn’t tell me your hero was so handsome!”

Melody blushed attractively.

“Not surprising. I’m sure I looked like a drowned rat out there with my clothes soaked, insisting your cousin needed saving.”

“Dean, I’m sure you exaggerate. No amount of water could possibly tone down all of your yumminess.”

“Harmony! You’re embarrassing him,” Melody said, though Dean noted that now her cheeks were flaming pink.

“Oh, Dean knows I’m just teasing,” Harmony said. “Hey, what were you doing out there that made this poor man think you were drowning?”

Melody’s eyes met Dean’s and her lips lifted in the beginnings of a real smile. “I was laughing.”

“You were what?” Dean asked, grinning at her.

“Laughing,” she repeated. “I met a fat, round sea lion, and he said the funniest things.” Her nose wrinkled with glee.

“A talking sea lion. Wouldn’t that have been a sight?” Harmony chuckled awkwardly. “Our Melody makes up the best stories, don’t you?”

“Oh. Yeah.” The joy slipped from her pink lips. “I was just laughing and swallowed a mouthful of seawater, and that made me cough.”

“Ah, that makes sense. I heard you coughing and thought you were drowning.” He wanted to bring back that smile. “But I’d like to meet your sea lion friend. He sounds like quite the comedian.”

Dean’s chest warmed as cheer returned to Melody’s cheeks. “I appreciate you jumping in after me. Fully clothed and looking like a drowned rat.”

“No problem at all. It’s part of my job, though I admit that not saving you was a true pleasure. Although in my head that came out much nicer than it sounds.” Dean cleared his throat and took the leap. “So, um, I’m off today and I was wondering if you might like to get a cup of coffee, or a glass of wine, or breakfast—well, my breakfast, probably your dinner. I work nights, so this is really my morning. But I’m up for eating or drinking pretty much anything. With you, I mean.” Dean ran a hand through his hair. “Damn, sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I don’t usually have mouth diarrhea.”

Melody frowned, studying him closely. “Mouth diarrhea?”

“No! I didn’t mean to say that. I’m usually not this big of an idiot, either. I’m not sure why I’m screwing this up. Probably because you’re so damn beautiful that you make it hard for me to think.”

Harmony’s laughter sparkled around them again. “Oh, Dean, you’re not screwing anything up. I think you’re charming. Don’t you, Melody?”

“I suppose. If you don’t really have mouth diarrhea.”

Dean’s cheeks heated. “I don’t. I promise. Listen, I’ll prove it. I’ll say this fast and to the point. Melody, would you please go out with me?”

“I can’t.” She shrugged. “I have to work.”