Page 131 of Pull Me Under

Tom raises an eyebrow but moves without comment. Traitor. He knows exactly what Cassie’s doing, and he’s enjoying every second of it.

I lower myself into the chair beside her. Close enough to catch her scent – floral with hints of layers I’m too dumb to label. Close enough that our elbows almost brush.

‘Hi,’ she says, gaze slightly shadowed so I can’t get a read on her.

‘Hi.’

‘Didn’t expect to see you here.’

‘Makes two of us.’

Her mouth twitches. ‘Spontaneous decision?’

‘Something like that.’

Under the table, her knee presses against mine. Just for a second. A question.

I press back. I’m here. I came.

Morgan leans forward, completely oblivious to the silent conversation happening six inches from him. ‘So, Brynn, you were saying about the restoration project? I’d love to hear more.’

‘Oh.’ Brynn blinks, turning back to him. ‘Right. Yes. The original clinker design – I’m trying to preserve as much as possible, but some of the planking is beyond saving, so it’s about finding the balance between authenticity and…’

She keeps talking. Morgan keeps nodding, asking intelligent questions, being genuinely bloody interested. Because of course he is. Morgan Morrison doesn’t have a jealous bone in his body, because Morgan Morrison has never had to fight for anything in his life.

I stare at my beer. Take a long drink. Try not to look like I’m counting every time Morgan makes her laugh.

‘You all right there, Jude?’ Tom asks from across the table, shit-eating grin firmly in place.

‘Fine.’

‘You’re holding that bottle like you’re trying to strangle it.’

I loosen my grip. Slightly.

Cal serves dinner – fish pie, golden and bubbling – and the conversation shifts. Easier topics. Village gossip. The upcoming regatta. Whether Ayo’s going to retire or whether he’ll have to be carried out of The Ship feet first.

But I’m only half listening. I’m watching Brynn push food around her plate. Watching the way her smile doesn’t quite reach her eyes when Morgan compliments the restoration work. Watching her steal glances at me when she thinks no one’s looking.

She’s not interested in him.

The realisation hits me somewhere under my ribs. She’s being polite, being friendly, but she’s not interested.

My heart thuds.

She’s here because she was invited, because she’s trying to build a life in this village.

‘So, Jude.’ Morgan’s voice cuts through my thoughts. ‘Cal says you’re acting deputy while Kit’s away. Must be a lot of pressure.’

‘It’s fine.’

‘He’s being modest,’ Brynn says, and I puff up at the defence in her voice. ‘He’s brilliant at it. The whole crew trusts him.’

Morgan nods, impressed. ‘And you two work together? On the lifeboat?’

There’s a pause. A loaded one.

‘We do,’ Brynn says carefully.