Duke rang the bell for her to pick up the food. She carried the dishes over to where Kaegan sat watching her with those dark eyes. Why did he still have to be, after all these years, the work of impossible male beauty? She knew then that she needed to meet someone and get involved real quick-like. She didn’t do casual sex but her vibrator had seen its useful days. She hadn’t shared a bed with anyone since Marcel and that was close to four years ago.

Kaegan didn’t say anything when she placed the food in front of him on the table. She was about to walk off when he said, “You’re usually not here on Monday nights, Bryce.”

How would he know that? And why did he have to say her name in that deep, husky voice that could still send shivers of desire down her spine? “You’re right—usually I’m not. I was away this weekend, so I thought I’d pitch in so the folks could leave early.”

He nodded. “Today your mom mentioned that you’ll be taking a six-week class at a university in New Orleans.”

She wondered why he was holding a conversation with her when all those other times he’d come into the café he’d acted like he could barely tolerate her presence. “Yes, that’s right. I’m taking the class so I can become a licensed Realtor in other states. Very few people are leaving the cove and selling their homes, so I need to expand my horizons if I want to continue to make money.” She wondered why she’d told him all that. It wasn’t like he was interested in knowing any of it. “I’ll let you get to your meal now.”

Bryce walked away, and like before, she could feel his gaze on her. She wondered if, like her, he was remembering how things used to be between them. Every time she saw him, she was reminded of how close they used to be. How incredibly close, both in and out of bed. Each time she looked into his face, studied his lips, she couldn’t help but remember how he’d taught her to kiss that first time and all the times after that, and just how much she enjoyed doing so. Kaegan had taught her a lot of things that she’d rather not think about now.

Bryce decided to wipe down the counter and restock supplies so her parents would have less to do in the morning. Anything to keep her concentration elsewhere and not on Kaegan. She moved from table to table, filling up the napkin dispensers and straw holders. Afterward, she wiped off the laminated menus and placed them back in the rack. When she saw Kaegan’s beer had gotten low, she asked, “Would you like a refill?”

He glanced over at her, as if considering her words. Instead of giving her an answer, he asked one of his own. “Why did you and Samuel Abbott break up, Bryce?”

His question was like a blow to her stomach. She actually felt the sharp pain, which was why her hand suddenly covered the lower part of her abdomen. Honestly, she wasn’t ready for this. In a flash, anger replaced the pain and she had a mind to go get that pitcher of beer off the counter and pour it on his head. But why waste good beer over a brutal hard head? The one still filled with untruths about her.