Love at first bite, p.1
Love at First Bite, page 1
Love at First Bite
An Outer Banks Novella
P. Sawyer
Copyright
Published by P. Sawyer
Text Copyright © 2021 P. Sawyer
All Rights Reserved
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, duplicated, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior written consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without similar condition, including this condition, being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
Copyright © 2021 P. Sawyer
All rights reserved
Cover by: No Sweat Graphics
www.authorpsawyer.weebly.com
Table of Contents
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Epilogue
About the Author
Dedication
To my amazing team that always has my back.
Rachel~ Your covers always amaze me.
Ebony~ Thank you for always being there when I’m trying to figure out plot issues and just for me to have an issue.
Sam~ Thank you for your editing wonders. ☺
Lauren~ Thank you for all of the information and responding to my 8,000 text messages about dog things. ☺
Readers~ I couldn’t do any of this without you. I hope you continue to enjoy the stories for years to come.
Chapter 1
~
Chance
“What’s going on?” my brother Landon asks, as he strolls into the small office I’m currently sitting in.
I shake my head. “Nothing. It’s Monday. I’m doing paperwork and orders and all the lovely bullshit that comes with owning a bar.”
Landon throws his hands up. “Dude, no need to be a dick.”
I let out an exasperated sigh. “I’m not being a dick. You’re the one walking in here asking. What did you think I would be doing?” It was about two in the afternoon and I was wondering what he was doing here. “So why are you here?”
Landon takes a seat across the desk from me. “No reason. I was driving by and saw your Jeep here.”
“Well, where else would I be?” I ask running my hand through my hair.
“That is true. You don’t seem to have much of a life.”
I shake my head. “Seriously? What the fuck was that comment for?” I know I’m rearing for a fight. I’ve been in a bad mood for days, and I haven’t been able to figure out why.
“Nothing, Chance. It’s just that you’ve been really throwing yourself into the bar and haven’t been around much lately. Everything okay?”
I turn to look at him again. “Everything’s fine. I own the bar. I have to be here. And it’s not like you and Mitch are around much anymore either.”
“We’re around,” he offers back. I shoot him a look. He knows what I mean. Before they found Kensley and Amber, they were pretty much at the bar every night hanging out. Fuck, they’d even come behind it and serve drinks and just hang out. I don’t have much time to go do anything else when I’m the one that has to be here.
“Why don’t you hire a manager?” Landon asks as I shake my head.
“We’ve tried that before. Remember? She stole over six thousand dollars from us?” Landon and I co-own the bar together. Landon is two years older than I am and when he opened his construction business, I opened the bar. He was some of the financial backing behind it.
“We did and it was a failure, but listen to what I have to propose.”
I nod and take a deep breath. “Okay, what is it?”
“Jackson.”
“Jackson? Our cousin Jackson?” I ask back.
Landon nods. “Yeah. He called...”
“And?” I hold my hands up.
“Nothing. He’s looking to relocate here with us and needs a place to stay and a job.”
“What happened? I thought he was engaged to what’s her name?” I question.
Landon shrugs his shoulders. “Don’t know the details, but I do know she cheated, he’s left and should be arriving anytime now.” Landon looks at his phone. “Oh, he’s here.”
“So, you’re going to just drop this on me, like, as he’s walking into the bar?”
Landon smiles.
“You’re an asshole,” I reply as Landon stands and walks out of the office towards the back door that we all come in from.
I watch as Landon opens the back door and greets Jackson. “Hey, man,” he says to me as he steps inside the bar and brings me in for a hug.
“Good to see you even if I didn’t know you were coming till about two minutes ago.” I chuckle as we pull apart.
“I’m blaming that on your brother,” Jackson chuckles back.
“I agree. Come on in, have a seat. What can I get you to drink?” I ask as I round the bar and motion for him to sit on a stool.
“Just a beer. Thanks,” he replies as I nod. Landon joins him and I slide an IPA over to each of them.
The bar is not set to open until five on Mondays, even though it’s the dead of February and tourist season is well over. I toyed with the idea of shutting down on Mondays, but some of the locals still show up, so why not? It’s not like I had anything else to do. With Landon and Mitch doing whatever engaged people do, I was left to feel like the third wheel.
“So...” I begin as I turn to Jackson. “What brings you to Kill Devil?”
He takes a swig of the beer and places it in front of him. “I need a new start.”
I nod. “Seems like the general thought process around here.”
Jackson takes another sip of his beer and Landon sits quietly. “Well, there was nothing left where I was, and I figured why not?”
“Well, glad you’re here. It’s been what five, maybe six years?” I offer back.
Jackson nods. “Something like that.”
Landon clears his throat, and we turn to look at him. “Well, you can stay with Chance until you find something.” Landon glances at me and I try to hide my frustrations. I knew that’s where this was going, but still, he should have asked prior and not put me on the spot. In all honesty, it’s not a big deal. I lived above the bar, in a three-bedroom apartment that we redid when we bought the building. I had plenty of room.
“Yeah, that’s fine. I have the extra room upstairs.” Jackson nods and I turn my attention back to Landon who nods in Jackson’s direction. There was something somber about him. Something off. He wasn’t his normal laugh out loud, fun self. Then again, it had been about six years since I’d seen him.
“And I have a job here if you want one,” I offer.
“Doing?” Jackson asks.
“Bartending, managing.” I shrug. “Landon’s been nagging me to hire a manager to get me the fuck out of the bar. Not that I have anything else to do.”
“That sounds good. I’m appreciative of anything you have,” he answers back, taking another swig from the bottle.
“Great. If you want, we can get you settled upstairs and then I can show you a few things down here. Mondays are sort of slow during the off-season,” I share as I wipe the bar with a rag more out of nervousness than need.
“Sounds good.” He slides his empty bottle towards me. “I really appreciate you guys coming through for me.”
Landon and I nod at each other. There was a time when Jackson and the two of us were as tight as you could imagine. The three musketeers as our grandmother would call us. However, somewhere along the line, we lost that comradery that we’d once shared.
“No worries. Let’s get you settled in,” I state, rounding the bar and heading towards the back door.
Chapter 2
~
Clarissa
“What are you doing tonight?” Jenna asks as we finish cleaning up the back room from the day’s work. It was slower today than it has been. Then again, it’s been pretty slow anyway. I moved to Kill Devil Hills about six months ago and opened the vet practice shortly after. It’s been a rough go to say the least.
“I don’t know. I don’t know many people around here and honestly, it’s Valentine’s day. I might just grab a bottle of wine and drink my sorrows away at home,” I offer back as I shut the lights off and head to the front of the shop.
“I know a lot of the tourist things are shut down, but Sutter’s is open and doing something,” Jenna states.
“I don’t even remember where that is, and it’s a couple’s holiday. One that I am not. I’d look pathetic sitting at a bar by myself.”
Jenna offers a half smile. “You really wouldn’t, but suit yourself.”
“What are you doing?” I ask as we step out of the office and I lock the door behind us.
“Since I’m single too, I decided that maybe I’d head to Sutter’s and have a drink.” She sticks her tongue out at me.
“Want company?” I ask smiling back. “I guess it wouldn’t be too bad.”
“Unless we look like a couple ourselves.” Jenna lets out a laugh.
“Ha. Well, anything is possible these days. What time do you want to meet?” I inquire as I walk towards my car.
“Eight, work?”
I nod. “Should be fine. It’s only six now.”
“Great, I’ll see you then,” Jenna says, bouncing over to her car.
I unlock my door and slide into the driver’s seat. I think about the time I’ve been down here. It’s been lonely, that’s for sure. Attempting to start over is never fun. The only person I even have to talk to is Jenna, and I think she feels as if she has to because she works with me.
I glance at my phone, reviewing the text message that reminds me I’ve sent the phones to the answering service. I’m the only veterinarian on the Outer Banks that offers twenty-four-hour emergency services. Granted, it isn’t a lot of business, but it is something that will hopefully increase my reputation in this new town. I think in the last six months, I’ve had maybe five or six emergency calls, and they’ve all been pretty much during tourist season.
I pull out of the parking lot and onto Route 158 and head north towards Duck to my house. It was something I bought on the cheaper side since most of the money went into the practice.
I pull into my driveway a short time later and pause for a moment when I step out of the car. There’s a chill in the air, but it’s still in the fifties even in the evening. I’m happy that I chose the Outer Banks. I’ve always wanted to live near the beach year- round. I wanted to give myself that sense of peace that the breeze off the ocean brings, how the sun shines on your face.
I glance at my phone and realize I only have about forty-five minutes to get ready before I have to leave for Sutter’s. I’d been in there once before when I first arrived in Kill Devil. Now, Jenna wants to go back because they are pretty much one of the only places open without heading back to the mainland.
I throw my stuff on the kitchen counter as I breeze through the main area to my bedroom. The house is raised off the ground as are many in this area due to the closeness to the beach. The house boasts two bedrooms, each with their own bathroom, and an open living room/kitchen area. My favorite feature is the sliding door that leads to the deck, which looks out into the ocean. I’ve enjoyed sitting on that deck many nights.
I grab a quick shower to clean off the animal smell, throwing my scrubs into the laundry. I step out and wrap a towel around myself, assessing whether or not I need to touch up my legs before pulling on a black fitted mini-skirt and off the shoulder sweater.
I leave my hair down, it’s natural wave apparent as I throw on a small amount of make-up. I wasn’t one of those girls that slathered their faces. I preferred a more natural look. Giving myself one last glance, I grab my purse, phone, and keys and head to Sutter’s.
Chapter 3
~
Chance
“Are you ready for tonight?” I ask Jackson as we are restocking the bar. It was Friday afternoon and of course, the dreaded Valentine’s Day holiday.
“I’m ready to rock and roll. You?” he responds as he finishes refilling the pint glasses on the shelf behind us.
I shrug my shoulders. “I’m fine. I hate this holiday.”
Jackson chuckles. “Me too. What do you have going on tonight anyway?”
“Same shit. Some specials that Marco begged to offer and then of course, we have to have some special drinks.” I roll my eyes at that one. All of the shit made me want to gag. Maybe it was just the overhype of a holiday geared towards consumerism, not love. Why would I need a holiday to show the person I’m with that I love them? Shouldn’t I be doing that every day? Maybe I was just jaded or jealous that I didn’t have anyone to celebrate the holiday with.
“So, about the themed drinks and not the scowl on your face...” He trails off as I throw him a glance.
“Yeah, you come up with some shit. I don’t care. Hopefully, we’ll have a good turnout. It tends to be slow in the off-season.”
“Yeah, but it’s Valentine’s Day. Where else is there to really go?” Jackson laughs. He’s not wrong. Most of the restaurants and places close down for the off-season.
I shrug my shoulders. “Yeah, I know, but still...” I’m interrupted by the back door slamming open.
“A little help!” a feminine voice calls out as I round the bar to grab a couple of bags from my soon-to-be sister-in-law’s hands.
“What is in here?” I ask as we head back to the bar.
“Desserts,” she says, smiling as she places the last two bags on top of the bar.
“Desserts?” I question back as she starts to unload the bags.
“Yup. I figured you could offer special desserts tonight. I made chocolate-covered strawberries for one. I’d say you should charge at least five dollars for four.” I just nod as she moves to another bag. “I also made petite red velvet cake jars with strawberry cream cheese frosting. You should charge about six or seven dollars for them.”
I look at her in confusion.
“What?” she asks as I shake my head.
“I’m confused. I thought Marco had this planned already?” I ask.
Kensley smiles. “He did. He called me.”
“And how much am I going to owe you for this?”
Kensley looks between Jackson and me. “Thirty percent of sales. I’m trying out the cake in a jar thingy.” I nod as she packs it all up and heads to the kitchen. Kensley moved here about nine months ago and inherited her grandmother’s taffy shop. Yes, the one with the famous voodoo taffy. She’s been working to transition it to a cupcake and bakery in the off-season.
“Oh, before I forget, here is a bag of voodoo taffy.” I shake my head at her. “What? How can you have a holiday of love without the candy known to bring people together?” She laughs as I place it behind the bar.
“I’ll put a piece out with every table setting,” I reluctantly respond back. “Are you guys coming in tonight or does Landon have plans?”
Kensley shakes her head. “Nope, we want to see if anyone proposes on V-day.”
“God, I hope not. It’s so tacky,” I reply voicing my own thoughts on the subject.
“Thank God, your brother didn’t propose today. I would have said no.”
I let out a laugh. “No, you wouldn’t have. The two of you are gaga over each other. But he still proposed at Christmas which is still cheesy and lame.” I hear Jackson choke on his drink, and I throw a look at him.
“You’re an ass, Chance.” She slaps me on the arm. “You’re just jealous.”
I shrug again. “Maybe, I am. Maybe, I’m not.”
“All right, I need to get home and change before Amber and Mitch head over.” She walks behind the bar and pulls me into a hug. “Still love you, Chance.”
“Yeah. Yeah. Get out of here. Thanks for the desserts.”
“No problem.” She disappears out the back door and I turn my attention back to the bar and the staff filing in for opening.
~~
It’s about eight o’clock and Landon, Mitch, and the girls have just arrived and are sitting in their booth. The same booth that is always reserved for our group.
The bar is busy. The waitstaff, Jackson, and I are being kept on our toes. I’m manning the bar itself, while Jackson focuses on filling orders from the waitresses. Landon and Mitch come behind the bar and grab a couple of beers. I shoot them a quick look and Landon smiles. “At least the girls are not making you make them one of those silly fruity drink concoctions.”
I nod and huff. He’s right. “Let me know what you want to eat,” I shout over as he sits next to Kensley.
I glance over to their table and see the amount of love between the two couples. Who would have thought that my brother or Mitch would have been the ones to fall in love at first sight? Neither of them believed in that shit. You know who did? Me. Yes. I did. I know it’s contradictory because I feel Valentine’s Day is an overhyped-up bullshit holiday, but I truly believe in love at first sight. I see it every night. Maybe I am jealous, as Kensley stated earlier, but I deserve to have happiness and love someone as well.
I turn my attention back to the patrons at the bar. There were a couple of couples but primarily single locals. I fill a quick order for Mac as movement on the opposite side of the bar catches my attention. A woman sits down, one I haven’t seen before. There’s an unfamiliar feeling in my stomach as I take a few moments to watch her. She’s alone, at least at the moment, and seems a little frazzled. Her attention is currently drawn to the phone in her hand. I finish with Mac and walk towards her.
