“Are you just going to stand there and stare at me, then?” he says without opening his eyes.

I feel my cheeks flush. “I thought you were asleep.”

He rubs his hands over his face and then sits up on the side of the sofa. “I was until I felt someone staring at me.”

“Sorry.” I shuffle my feet. “Want me to make some coffee?”

“No, I think we should both get dressed, and I’ll take you out for breakfast at my favorite place.”

“Oh, you don’t have to—”

“I’m going with or without you,” he says but softens his tone with a small smile. “It’s my daily routine. And you’re welcome to join me.”

My stomach growls, and I nod. “Thanks. I’d like that.”

It doesn’t take long for me to get dressed and ready to go—hair tied back in a ponytail, a bit of mascara and lip gloss I had stowed in my purse applied. I’m beyond lucky that Maggie and I are roughly the same size and that she has such an extensive closet. I borrowed several days’ worth of clothes to get me through until I make enough money to buy some things for myself.

When Keegan’s ready, we set out down a flight of stairs behind the pub that leads to his truck waiting in the alley.

With a turn of the key, Keegan’s Toyota 4x4 roars to life, and he pulls out of the parking space and onto the main road.

“So, you go out to breakfast every morning?” I ask, trying to make conversation.

“Most days. I don’t cook, and I like this diner. Good people own it.”

I’m watching the town pass by as we make our way through the heart of it. “It’s such a cute town. I didn’t pay much attention yesterday.”

“You had other things on your mind,” he says. “We’re a small community of just over three-thousand people. We swell to twice that size in tourist season, but given we’re nearing the end of summer, things are about to slow down.”

“I bet that’s not good for your business.”

“It’s true that summer is the best time for the pub, but I stay busy enough all year through. We have our steady regulars, who want to come by for a pint or just some conversation. And the music brings in a good crowd on the weekends. My parents established roots in this community, and they’re sturdy ones.”

“I could tell last night that a lot of the customers were regulars,” I reply. “I like your pub very much, Keegan.”

He smiles, and I swear it could light up all of the Pacific Northwest. “Thank you, lass.”