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one. I’ve been in Thai land for two years and didn’t have the opportunity for hobbies.”
    “Thailand?” Evan asked.
    Macey nodded. “Peace Corps.”
    “Whoa. Never would’ve guessed,” he said. Macey tried not to take the comment personally. She couldn’t help it, though. She looked plain and boring and not at all like the type who would take off on an adventure on the other side of the world.
    “What are you doing on such a long vacation?” Clay asked as he treaded water several feet in front of her and Evan.
    “Recuperating from the Peace Corps and starting a nonprofit organization.”
    “Is that all?” Evan asked with a sexy grin that would win over ninety percent of the female population in a nanosecond.
    Macey realized suddenly that she had no idea how long she’d been talking. She hopped up and walked over to her belongings and checked the time. “Actually, no. I’m also helping my friend out at his bar. The Shell Shack. I need to go shower if I’m going to be on time.”
    “Pleasure to meet you, Macey,” Evan said, standing.
    Clay nodded politely, and she waved as she hurried from the pool deck to her apartment. Part one of her mission accomplished: she had some friends in the local fire department. That, undoubtedly, was the easy part.

    D EREK DID A DOUBLE TAKE when Macey stepped behind the counter at two minutes till noon. She was dressed unlike he’d ever seen her before, wearing short white shorts and a body-hugging blue tee. She had curves he’d never noticed, likely because she’d never shown them off. Surely he’d notice that , wouldn’t he?
    Jeez, a good night’s sleep must be messing with his mind. This was Macey . That she was solely responsible for the best six hours of sleep he’d had in months didn’t escape him. Hell, maybe he should hire her to rub his aching muscles every night and tuck him in instead of pouring drinks and wiping down counters all day.
    “Sorry I’m late,” she said, barely looking at him as she grabbed a cup and filled it with orange soda.
    “You’re two minutes early.”
    “That’s late.”
    Derek shook his head and proceeded to take an order from the couple who’d just come in.
    The next hour and a half sped by. The three of them—Macey, he and Andie, in back—were developing a good rhythm, although Macey still had to ask what went into a drink every few minutes. He knew she’d learn. Macey was smart and caught on fast. His hesitation in hiring her had nothing to do with her competence. When they’d been in high school waiting tables at Grace’s, he’d always looked forward to sharing shifts with her because she pulled her weight without fail.
    The lunch rush eventually died down to a steady flow. Macey joined him at the back work area as he mixed a vodka sour.
    “There’s a guy I want to interview for a position waiting for me outside. I’m going to see how far I can get before you’re buried again.”
    “Someone to hire?” he asked, looking beyond her, trying to spot the individual.
    “Hopefully. The past hour’s been insane.”
    Insane, possibly. A way to pass the time without a chance to think about things you didn’t want to think about, definitely.
    “Macey’s been here two days and already doing what you couldn’t manage in two months.”
    Derek didn’t flinch at the gravelly voice. He grabbed a cup and poured whiskey, then served it to Gus.
    “This straight?” the old man asked.
    “You know it is. I tried to dilute it once,” he said to Macey. She smiled as she headed out to do the interview.
    “You learned your lesson, didn’t you?” Gus said smugly.
    “Isn’t there a nurse somewhere who wants to coddle and nurture your obstinate ass?”
    “They all do. I needed a break.”
    Derek cracked a smile. “Want anything to eat?”
    “Some chips is all. Had a steak for lunch.”
    “Remind me to move in with you when I get a chance.”
    He grabbed a bag of salt-and-vinegar chips—Gus’s favorite—and tossed it