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the shop the morning before. She was dressed down and didn’t look like she was wearing the makeup that she’d had on before. Without her hair styled and sophisticated designer duds she looked more like a high schooler.
    A very flirtatious high schooler…
    “Is it always like this?” I asked Alesha, glancing over my shoulder at the offshoot of the cafe that was filled with tables and one long booth, all of which were occupied.
    She shrugged. “I don’t know. Seems like it. I’m only here for the summer. Normally I live in Phoenix with my dad.”
    “Gotcha.”
    “Are you new in town?”
    “Yeah, just got here this week, actually.” I rubbed the back of my neck.
    Alesha leaned forward and offered another playful smile. “If you need a tour guide, I’d be happy to help. I know my way around. I was here last summer, too.”
    I nodded, unsure how to get out of the conversation. I didn’t want to be rude to the sister of the woman I was interested in, but I also didn’t want to set myself up to be the source of her teenaged fantasies.
    Luckily, before I could come up with an exit strategy, Carly reappeared from the back of the shop—which I assumed contained a kitchen—and with one sweeping glance, sized up the situation and came over to intercede.
    “Leash…” Carly cut into the conversation, shooting her sister a warning look. “Can you go check with the tables on the patio and see if you can get anyone a refill?”
    Alesha mumbled something and stomped off through the side doors that were thrown open to let in the sea breeze. Carly watched her go and then snapped back to attention. “Did she take your order?”
    Her suddenly frosty tone surprised me, like I’d just had my legs knocked out from under me. Had I done something wrong? She didn’t think I’d been flirting with her sister…did she? Just hours ago she’d been so warm and bordered on flirtatious.
    “Not yet.” I paused, wondering how to get things back on track.
    “Sorry.”
    “Don’t be. I’m glad she didn’t. Gives me more time to talk to you,” I flashed a smile.
    Carly didn’t miss a beat. She smirked up at me, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “That’s some line.”
    I laughed. Aaron had been right on. She didn’t play around. “What can I say, had to take a shot when I saw the opportunity.”
    “Hmm.” Her eyes flitted back and forth between mine, searching for something. “Tell me something about yourself, Nick. Something new.”
    “I’m an ex-Marine. I fixed jets for them, usually in tandem with Navy guys like Rosen. Did that for eight years, right out of high school. Got out about nine months ago and putzed around Fallon, tending bar, and looking for a chance to work at the Air Park there. When that wasn’t panning out, I came up here to see the museum, got to talking with Aaron, and next thing I know I was giving notice at my shitty apartment, loading up my truck, and driving out here.”
    Carly pursed her lips. “Okay. So, I got your back story now. But I still don’t know who you are.”
    I laughed. “You’re a tough crowd, huh?”
    She shrugged. “I’m just more interested in the details. I think that’s what makes a person who they are.”
    “So how would you answer that question then?” I challenged, raising my brows.
    She smiled and tapped her short, squared fingernails on the counter. “Fair enough. I’d tell you that my middle name is Jane. My favorite time of day is the moment right before the sun rises, when the sky goes crazy with bursts of color. I’m a cat person but I don’t currently have one. I prefer biking to walking, although I also know how to skateboard as long as the road is fairly level. I have a brown belt in Jujitsu. I like the sound of rain on the roof at night. And I’ve never been on a train.”
    Where did this girl come from? I’d had a feeling from the first time I saw her I’d never met anyone like her, and after she gave me her list of highly personal, almost