“So why didn’t you go after her?”

Ned shrugged. A toothpick danced around his mouth. “She knows where I am.”

“Is she here? On the island?”

“What’ll it be, Luke?” the bartender asked before Ned could reply.

“Two light beers, please.”

“Coming right up.”

Luke turned back to Ned. “Well, is she? Here?”

“Yep.”

“You ever see her?”

“Only from a distance.”

“Who is it?”

“Ya ain’t gettin that outta me, boy,” Ned said with a snort.

The bartender delivered the beers, and Luke paid her. Turning back to Ned, he said, “Let me tell you—from experience—everything is better the second time around. If you still think about her, go see her. You never know what might happen.”

“Suddenly yer the wise one, eh?”

Luke shrugged. “I wouldn’t say that.”

“She gonna break ya heart again?”

“Hope not.”

“She’s looking for ya. Better get back to her.”

Luke shifted his gaze to the table. When his eyes met Sydney’s, he returned her smile.

“Whoo, boy, ya got a bad, bad case,” Ned said with a howl of laughter.

“I sure do.”

“Hope it works out for ya this time.”

“Me, too. Maybe it’ll work out for you if you give it a shot. What’ve you got to lose?”

“Eh,” Ned said, shrugging. “Bygones.”

“Whatever you say. See ya later.”

“Look out fer yaself, boy. Don’t wanna see ya crushed by her again.”

The comment stopped Luke short. “That’s not going to happen.” But as he returned to the table, Luke wondered who he was trying to convince—Ned or himself.

Chapter 12

Owen played his way through a song list of summer tunes that everyone sang along to: “Summer Breeze,” “Sister Golden Hair,” “God Only Knows” and “Peaceful Easy Feeling.” Under the table, Luke kept a firm grip on Sydney’s hand and felt her tense when Owen launched into “Southern Cross.”

Luke glanced over to find a faraway look on her face.

Sydney caught his eye and offered a small smile. “Seth’s favorite song.”

“You want to go?”

“No, it’s okay. Just took me by surprise.”

It had caught her when she was actually having a good time, and Luke was sorry to see the sadness creep back into her expression. He tightened his grip on her hand and felt her relax when the song ended.

Owen took a break and wandered over to join them. He plopped down at the table, all his formidable charm focused on Sydney. “So tell me the truth: how much did he pay you to come out with him tonight?”

Startled by the question, Sydney laughed. Even though the joke was at his expense, Luke was grateful to Owen for making her laugh.

“I’m actually rather cheap,” Syd said with a sly smile that made Luke’s blood boil and earned an appreciative grin from Owen.