Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8

JAY

That voice.

I heard her voice traveling through the ducts yesterday at the library and I couldn't get her off my mind. I didn’t even know who she was, but the emotion in her words, combined with a soothing tone was almost hypnotic to me.

Seeing this beautiful girl on the beach, the closer I got, I just knew I needed to know more. Knowing Hazel was next to her gave me hope that I have a chance, but then to hear she’s the new librarian? Well. I hit the jackpot. Maybe I should go buy a lottery ticket.

Beautiful and with an angelic voice.

She’s standoffish though. Maybe it’s because she’s new to town, and meeting people all at once is a lot. I’ll just have to show her how great Magnolia Point is, and more importantly, me.

Hazel works to spread the blankets out and Maverick comes back with the cooler placing it on one corner of the blanket, while Hazel secures the other side. We all sit in a circle, and I make sure I grab my spot by Nina while Wes grabs the other side of Hazel, and we begin to pass around drinks, chips and sandwich meat and rolls.

“Damn, you came prepared Hazel! It’s almost like you knew we’d be here!” Maverick says slyly and Wes moves closer to her.

“Well it's the weekend, it's a hot day and your best friend has a boat,” she replies with a shrug. “Exactly what I’m doing. It’s the weekend, it’s hot and my best friend is finally living with me again.”

“So, tell me,” Jay says. “If you guys are best friends from long ago, how come you didn’t follow Hazel here to Magnolia Point?”

Nina still hasn’t taken off her sunglasses and I'm dying to know what color her eyes are.

She reaches for the chip bag, dumping a pile on her plate which already holds two brownies and I can’t help but smirk at her abundance of snacks and lack of nutritional density.

“I had different ideas,” she replies shortly and I smile at her sassiness.

“Yeah, she didn’t want to be stuck with me.”

“No!” Nina exclaims, appearing outraged at Hazel’s words. “That's not true and you know it.”

“What kind of different ideas?” I press.

Her head is down, studying the chips on her plate as replies, “I liked my hometown. I didn't need to look for more when I was happy where I was.”

“And you’re not happy now?” Her head snaps up at Maverick's question, and I could kiss him and kill him all at once for asking the intrusive question.

Before she can answer, Hazel says, “She’s happiest with me. And me with her. So we’re complete again.”

She leans closer, throwing her arms around Nina’s shoulders and pulling her close to kiss her temple, and Nina smiles as she says, “Love you girl.”

“And I love you,” Hazel answers.

I smile, their deep friendship and shared secrets evident from their interaction. Intent on getting her talking, I say, “So, obviously, Magnolia Point is the place to be now. I know you said you just got here, but has anything grabbed your attention yet that you need to see?”

“Besides me, of course.” Maverick jokes, puffing out his chest and smoothing his hand down it. I throw a chip at him.

She laughs and shakes her head then responds, “Taste of Magnolia looks cute. I love a fun food truck. I’m meeting Mrs. Holly at Deja Brew tomorrow, but other than that, I haven’t had a moment to really look around. I’m just relying on Hazel's direction right now.”

“If you like tacos,” I say smoothly, “I know just the place to take you.”

Her big sunglasses hide her eyes but I have no doubt she's shooting daggers right now considering I basically just asked her out.

I smile at her then add, “The music is fun, and the place is always busy. It’s a good spot to people watch.”

Wes tosses a thumb my way. “This guy is all about the local scene. Loves his go-to spots, so he’s always quick to want to introduce someone new to them.”

I shrug. “It’s what you’re supposed to do.”

“You’ve lived here all your life?” Nina asks.

“Yep,” I say. “All three of us have.”

“Oh, the trouble you used to stir up,” Hazel says with a laugh. She pokes at Wes’s ribs and continues, “I’ve heard quite a few stories about you all in your teen years.”

“Mrs. Holly has a big mouth.” Wes says good-naturedly.

“She’ll tell you anything you want to know about Magnolia Point,” I add helpfully. “She’s been here forever, she knows everything about everyone, so if you want to check up on me, you know where to go.”

“And who says I want to check up on you?” Nina retorts, and Hazel laughs boisterously.

“Ohh!” The guys razz me, but I wave them off.

“Since I’m going to be working so close to you at the library I figured you’d want to know who’s above you.” I pause then add quietly, “Or under you.”

Her lips twitch at my innuendo and my heart races, but then she says, “I think I'm more than capable of finding out what I need to all on my own. But thank you for the little tip.”

She bites her bottom lip at her little joke and it’s the cutest fucking thing ever.

Nina Amoré is someone I’m definitely going to enjoy learning more about.