Lost Innocence

by Jannine Gallant

  Leah’s grandma jiggled her arm, then leaned in close to be heard over multiple shouted conversations. “When’s the stripper coming? I may have to pace myself so I don’t fall asleep before he gets here.”

  Nina grinned in response. Evie Grayson was past eighty and could probably drink them all under the table if the way she’d been belting back cocktails was any indication. She twirled a strand of beads hanging from the macramé headband around her fluffy purple hair.

  “Not until later. The owner of the bar agreed only on the condition the stripper didn’t show up until midnight. He didn’t want a bunch of rowdy women hooting and hollering and scaring away the tourists too early in the evening.”

  “Probably smart.” She pushed away her half-empty glass. “I’d better slow down since I might just ask him for a lap dance. At my age, it may be my last chance.”

  Nina sputtered and choked on her drink. “Seriously? What would your gentleman friend have to say about that?”

  “Oh, Magnus would cheer me on.” She winked. “When I left this evening, he told me he wouldn’t complain if I came home in the mood.”

  Leah broke off a conversation with Regan to frown at her grandmother. “Gram, quit embarrassing Nina.” She helped Evie down from her stool. “Go talk to Ryan’s mom and let me chat with my BFF for a minute.”

  “Fine, but she doesn’t look embarrassed to me.”

  Nina couldn’t wipe the grin from her face. “Not in the least. You’re my hero, Evie. I want to be just like you when I’m your age.”

  “An admirable goal.” Leaving her cocktail, the older woman departed.

  Leah plopped down on the vacated stool and hooked her pink patent leather go-go boots over the rail. “Thanks for the party. You and Paige outdid yourselves, and everyone is having a wonderful time.”

  “Good. As long as you’re happy, I’m happy.”

  “Oh, I am. I can’t wait to be Ryan’s wife, but one last girls’ night out as a single woman is a terrific send-off.” She leaned her elbow on the table. “I haven’t talked to you since we got back from Sisters. Has the creep who hit you and tied you up been caught yet?”

  Nina took another sip of her margarita. “I’m afraid not. But on a positive note, there haven’t been any more attacks, either. My hope is he found whatever he was after and will leave me alone from now on.”

  “God, I hope so. Are you and Teague still . . .”

  Nina nodded. “We are, though not as often since his daughter returned from seeing her grandparents.”

  Leah scrunched up her nose. “Wow, you and my grandma are quite the pair this evening. I meant are you still dating, not are you sleeping with him.”

  “So did I. Who has sex on the brain now?” Nina raised a brow as she twirled the straw between her fingers. “He’s busy with work and Keely, and I’ve been painting like a fiend to prepare for the Summer Art Fair.”

  “You really seem to like this man. Are you two serious?”

  Nina nodded. “I care about him more than anyone I’ve dated since Keith, but I’m just not sure . . .” She bit her lip.

  Leah touched her arm. “What’s the problem?”

  “I don’t know if I’m ready to risk my heart to a committed relationship.”

  “It’s been over five years. I don’t mean to sound insensitive, but Keith died, not you.”

  “My concerns aren’t what you’re thinking. I loved Keith and intended to marry him, but we were struggling with priorities. Work always came first for him, and our engagement changed my expectations. Honestly, it’s a whole lot easier to simply keep things on the lighter side.”

  “That’s true, but casual doesn’t fill your soul with joy the way being in love does. What does Teague want?”

  “I’m not sure since we haven’t discussed it yet. He’s packing a lot of emotional baggage, too.”

  Leah eyed her steadily. “Are you hesitant to commit because he has a daughter?”

  “No. Keely and I get along very well. She’s a terrific little girl.” Nina fiddled with the straw again. “Making their life here in Siren Cove work for his daughter is Teague’s top priority. She matters more to him than anything.”

  “As it should be.”

  “I know, and that’s why I’m not ready to push too hard or too fast. I’m fine with what we have . . . at least for now.”

  Leah’s brow wrinkled. “If you’re sure?”

  “I am.” Her tone reflected none of the doubt niggling at the back of her mind. Maybe because she was determined to ignore it. When a hand touched her shoulder, she jumped.

  “Would you like to dance?”

  The man standing behind her, probably in his mid-twenties, had anxious brown eyes and a sweet smile. He was good looking in a boy-next-door sort of way, and Nina suspected half the women in the bar would be happy to dance with him. Despite the speech she’d just given Leah about not wanting a committed relationship, the only man she was interested in dancing with was Teague. Maybe she needed to broaden her horizons.

  Straightening her shoulders, she slid off the barstool and smiled. “Sure.”

  “Really?”

  “Why not? I like this song.”

  He took her hand and led her onto the dance floor as the local band covered a classic Beach Boys tune. “My buddies said you’d turn me down.” He glanced toward a corner table where two young men laid bills on the surface, then gave him a thumbs-up.

  Definitely not locals.

  She put a little distance between them when he pulled her in close. “They bet on it?”

  His cheeks colored. “Seemed like a sure thing from their perspective since you’re the hottest woman in the bar.”

  “Thanks, I think. Just so you know, uh . . .”

  “Weston. And you are?”

  “Nina. Just so you know, Weston, this isn’t going further than a dance. If you bet money on anything else, you’re going to have to pay up.”

  “Wow, I’m not that stupid. Class practically oozes from you, not to mention you have an aura of untouch-ableness surrounding you. Is that even a word?”

  “I don’t think so.” She swayed to the chorus of “Good Vibrations.” “Then why did you ask me to dance?”

  He smiled. “I like a challenge. Plus, women at bachelorette parties tend to forgo some of their natural inhibitions. I thought I might get lucky.”

  Nina glanced toward their tables where Janice had just delivered a tray of shots. When Paige waved a hand and gave the cocktail server a questioning look, the woman pointed toward Weston’s two friends.

  Nina laughed out loud. “Your buddies are trying to loosen us up, I see. You never know. You might still get lucky.” She stepped back as the song ended. “Just not with me.”

  The hint of regret in his eyes turned to alarm. “Please tell me I didn’t just hit on the bride-to-be?”

  “Nope, the bride is the woman with the long brown hair I was talking to earlier. You might try asking the petite blonde or the tall brunette to dance. Both ladies are single.”

  He released her hand. “But you’re not?”

  “No, I’m definitely taken.” Apparently it didn’t matter if she was reluctant to venture into a committed relationship. Teague already had her heart—whether she liked the idea or not.

  “Can’t blame a guy for trying. Have a nice evening, Nina.”

  “You, too.” After he walked away, she approached Paige and pointed at the row of shot glasses lined up on the table. “You planning on drinking one of those?”

  “What?” She spun around then laughed. “Maybe. Those guys in the corner bought them for us.”

  “I was dancing with one of them. Tourists hoping to end their night with a little action.”

  “I saw.” Paige gazed across the room. “He’s actually pretty cute.”

  “His name’s Weston. I told him to ask you or Regan to dance since I’m not interested.”

  “I wouldn’t be, either, if I had a guy like Teague to go home to. Are you still staying
with him?”

  Nina shook her head. “No, there’s Keely to consider. I’m diligently alarming my house and sleeping with a canister of pepper spray beside my bed.” Her voice hardened. “I refuse to be frightened out of my own home. Anyway, nothing’s happened since that creep tied me up last Saturday. I’m beginning to think I can finally relax.”

  “But you still don’t know what he was after?”

  “I’ve racked my brain trying figure out what it could possibly be, but I’m at a loss.”

  “The whole situation is scary weird.” Paige rubbed her hands up and down her arms. “I hope you’re right and he’s gone for good.”

  Nina picked up her drink and sipped. “Enough depressing talk. Hey, is Quentin going to put in an offer on the Poseidon Grill?”

  “He isn’t sure yet. He’s waiting for reports from various inspectors, and there’s some problem with a lien. Before he left town, Quentin had a chat with the current manager, and the guy thinks they’re going to close the place down for good soon.”

  “That’s too bad. The Poseidon Grill is a real landmark in town.”

  “I’m hoping Quentin will make an offer. I—oh, my.” Paige grabbed Nina’s arm and turned her to face the door. “Do you think that’s our stripper? If so, he’s early.”

  A man in a white suit with subtle sequin accents strolled into the bar. He took off a pair of dark glasses and surveyed the room.

  Paige scowled. “I don’t recall requesting an Elvis impersonator. Not to mention he looks old enough to be Leah’s father.”

  “If nothing else, Evie should like him.” Nina eyed Leah’s grandma, who was in an animated conversation with Ryan’s mother near the windows. “She mentioned something about a lap dance.”

  When the man waved and veered off toward a group sitting near the band, Paige let out a breath. “Oh, thank God. He’s just a guy with tacky taste. We dodged a bullet there.”

  “After that scare, the real stripper has got to be an improvement.”

  “We can only hope.”

  * * *

  Teague grabbed one end of the stretcher as the winch hoisted the accident victim to the top of the cliff. “One, two, three lift,” he shouted over the beeping of the wrecker as the truck backed into position. He and Mateo carried the injured man to the waiting ambulance and relinquished him to the paramedics.

  “Damn idiots.” Mateo nodded toward the second passenger, who’d been able to walk away from the mangled vehicle. Currently, he was bent double, heaving his guts out on the side of the road. “Drinking and driving. What a bunch of morons.”

  “Not to mention we got called in after our shift was over to rescue their asses. Between this wreck and the out-of-control backyard bonfire occupying the regular night crew, this has been one hell of an evening.”

  At the edge of the highway, Officer Long loaded the third member of the trio into the back of his patrol car. The driver had taken the corner too wide and sent his sports car sailing off the side of the cliff. Flashing lights on top of the police vehicle reflected off the fire truck and wrecker, creating an eerie glow in the night sky. Teague glanced over the drop-off as he and Mateo gathered up their equipment. The Porsche had crunched like an aluminum can on the rocks below. The drunken tourists had been damn lucky no one had died, though one member of the group had sustained a compound fracture and the other two were covered in abrasions.

  Mateo slammed the compartment door on the side of the truck. “I had nothing better to do tonight since Sabrina is at a bachelorette party. But I’d rather be at home in my recliner watching Netflix than here.”

  “I had to call for a babysitter. Thank God Stella was available since Nina’s the one who organized Leah’s party.” Teague shut the second compartment before heading toward the driver’s side of the truck. “She’s been pretty great about helping me out with Keely when I need someone to watch her in an emergency.”

  Mateo climbed into the truck and glanced over at him. “I’m tempted to stop by Castaways just to make sure all those women have a ride home. After what we just witnessed, I don’t want any of them driving tonight.”

  “Surely they have designated drivers or will take cabs.” Teague started the engine and pulled around the police cruiser onto the highway.

  “I think I’ll drop by, just the same.” Mateo glanced at his watch. “It’s after midnight. They should be wrapping up the party by now. If you want to go straight home, that’s understandable since you’re paying for a sitter.”

  The idea of seeing firsthand what was going on at the party was tempting. Memories of the decorations Nina had purchased taunted him, and he couldn’t help wondering. . . “I can afford an extra half hour. In the name of community safety, of course. I’ll follow you over there.”

  Mateo grinned. “Sure, that’s what we’ll call it. Community safety. We’d never dream of checking up on our women.”

  Twenty minutes later, Teague ignored the guilt nagging at him, knowing Stella probably wanted to go home to bed. He parked on the mostly deserted street near Castaways and climbed out of his pickup. When Mateo joined him a few seconds later, they approached the bar. The grinding beat of a bass drum reverberated from inside.

  “Sounds like the band is still playing. Maybe the party isn’t over yet,” Mateo said. “I guess we’ll just have to join the fun.”

  “I really can’t hang out for long. When you have a kid waiting at home, your priorities change.”

  “Just another reason for me to put off popping the question. Lately, Sabrina’s been hinting I need to fish or cut bait. She says her biological clock is ticking.”

  “Don’t mess up a good thing, dude.” Teague pulled open the door to a blast of music accompanied by raucous cheering. “Becoming a father was the best moment of my life.” Two steps into the room, he stopped and stared. “Serious? They hired a fireman stripper?”

  Mateo snorted. “Damn, maybe I’m not putting on enough of a show in the bedroom. I should start bringing my gear home with me.”

  In the center of the room, a blond guy with impressive abs wore nothing but a fireman’s helmet, a red G-string, and a smile. A yellow flame-retardant suit lay on the floor, and he had a hose wrapped around the bride-to-be. Her face was nearly as red as the material barely covering his package as he did some serious gyrating.

  “Jesus. Maybe we should take off.” Teague’s gaze zeroed in on Nina, laughing and cheering and waving dollar bills with the rest of them. “None of these women look like they’re ready to leave.”

  “Oh, my God! Was that a twenty Leah’s grandma just shoved in that guy’s crotch? I swear she copped a feel.”

  Teague stared as an elderly woman with purple hair did a bump and grind with the stripper. “He’s probably just a college kid.”

  “Not a bad way to cover the cost of tuition.” Mateo straightened as the song concluded in a clash of cymbals. “Hey, it looks like the band is wrapping up for the evening. We caught the big finale.”

  “I think Leah is forcibly restraining her grandma. That guy better get his clothes on in a hurry.”

  “At least he isn’t doing solo performances in a back room. Let’s go see if anyone needs a ride.”

  Teague threaded his way through the tables to the group of women near the windows. Nina stood with her back to him and her phone out. When he rested a hand on her shoulder, she spun around.

  “Teague! What are you doing here?”

  “Mateo and I were called out on an accident. After we hauled three drunks up the cliff out of their totaled car, we thought we’d stop by to see if anyone wanted a ride home.”

  “Were they hurt?”

  “One guy was, but no one died. I don’t mean to imply you and your friends aren’t responsible, but—”

  “No problem. I’d planned to call for a couple of cabs. Kim hasn’t been drinking, and Ryan’s mom is fine to drive, but I think Sabrina and Regan could use rides.”

  Teague nodded toward Leah’s grandma, still swaying to music
that had stopped several minutes before. “I hope she isn’t driving.”

  “Evie? Heavens no. I’m taking her home. Paige just has to walk a couple of blocks, but Leah rode her bike here. I don’t want her riding along the highway this late at night.”

  “I can put her bike in the bed of my truck and drive her.” He let his fingers drift up to stroke the back of Nina’s neck. “You’re okay?”

  “Sure. I nursed a single margarita for most of the evening and avoided the shots some guys bought us. I’m fine.” She stood on her toes and wound her arms around his neck to kiss him. “Thanks for stopping by.”

  He lingered over a second kiss. “You’re welcome.” As he stepped back, Mateo approached with his arms around Sabrina and another pretty brunette.

  “I’m giving these two lovely ladies a ride home. Everything under control?”

  Teague nodded. “Yep, we’ve got it covered.”

  “Great. I’ll see you next shift.”

  After his buddy walked away with the two women, Nina pressed a hand to his chest. “I should get Evie back to her apartment.”

  “Okay, but if you get home before me, I want you to be careful. It’s late, and that asshole—”

  “I’ll keep my pepper spray handy.”

  Reluctantly, he released her. “Okay.”

  He didn’t move while Nina spoke briefly with the cocktail waitress and handed the older woman a roll of cash. She paused to chat with Leah and Paige, gave them each a hug, and then slipped an arm around Evie to lead her from the room. Nina gave him one backward glance filled with promise before disappearing through the door.

  He started when Leah touched his arm. “I hear you’re giving me a ride.”

  “I am. Your grandma is quite a character.”

  “Isn’t that the truth? I’m just glad my mother and sister left before Gram felt up the stripper. Mom would have had a stroke.”

  Paige pressed a hand to her lips but couldn’t suppress a grin. “I nearly peed, I laughed so hard. I’m pretty sure the guy wished it was . . . er, never mind.” She gave Leah a hug. “Go home to Ryan. I’m out of here.”