Sawyer looked over at him. “If any craziness happens again, let me know. I don’t like the idea there might be kids going around slashing tires.”

“Okay, I’ll let you know if it happens again,” Kaegan said.

He shifted his gaze from Sawyer to Bryce. A man whom Kaegan didn’t recognize had entered the café and he immediately knew the guy wasn’t from around here. However, from the huge smile of recognition on Bryce’s face, they obviously knew each other.

Kaegan tried downplaying the jealousy he felt that suddenly rushed through his body. He didn’t recall making a sound, but obviously he had because both Sawyer and Ray glanced up at him and then followed his gaze across the café.

Ray looked back at him. “Like I said earlier, some things never change. Whenever Bryce talks to a guy, steam comes out your ears.”

He continued watching Bryce and the guy chat it up while he responded to Ray. “Steam does not come out of my ears.”

Ray chuckled. “Yes, it does. More is coming out now and I don’t know why. She’s not your girl.”

It was then that Kaegan aimed a narrowed gaze at Ray. “Not my girl but she’s my friend, and I don’t know the guy. Do either of you?”

Both Sawyer and Ray shook their heads.

“He’s probably someone passing through or visiting someone in the cove. Chill, man,” Ray said. “You’re acting territorial again.”

Kaegan glanced back at Bryce and the man. At that moment he didn’t care how he was acting. He didn’t like how friendly Bryce and the man seemed to be.

Kaegan looked back at Sawyer. Although he hadn’t said anything, it was obvious from Sawyer’s smile that he’d agreed with everything Ray had said. Okay, maybe he was acting territorial, and he didn’t have any right doing so because Bryce wasn’t his girl. But little did his friends know that he intended to change that soon. Real soon.

* * *

“IT’S GOOD SEEING you again, too, Jeremy. What brings you to Catalina Cove?” She had spoken with him when he’d called last Tuesday to congratulate her on passing the exam. She didn’t recall him mentioning that he would be in the area this week.

“I’m visiting someone and remembered you once said your parents owned a café here and served the best blueberry muffins. I decided to stop by and see if you knew what you were talking about.”

Bryce threw back her head and laughed. “You’ll see how good they are. Do you want anything else to go with the muffins and coffee?”

“What do you suggest?”

“Depends on what you like. Some people like to eat bacon or sausage with their muffins.”

“That sounds like a winner. I think I’ll take an order of bacon.”

“Okay,” Bryce said. “I’ll be right back with your coffee.” Smiling, she walked off, glad to see Jeremy, but she knew nothing had changed. She still wasn’t interested in him and was pretty sure he’d gotten the voice message she’d left on his phone letting him know how busy she would be if she passed her exam. When she’d spoken with him on the phone last week he hadn’t asked her out.