I slid the Jack and Coke across the bar. “Here you go, Ethan.”

“Thanks, Bell. Things look busier in here. Even after the dinner rush.”

I scanned the crowd. There were a heck of a lot more people than usual, and I think that was in large part because a band was about to take the stage. Ford hadn’t wasted any time getting a few different acts lined up, and it looked like his play was going to work. I glanced down the aisle to see none other than Lacey Hotchkiss with her boobs resting on top of the bar as if they were a platter for Ford to feast from.

Lacey and I had never become friends, much to my parents’ chagrin. But we’d mostly stayed on opposite corners of life on the island. She hadn’t once been into The Catch since I’d worked here. Of course, now that Ford was back, here she was. I was honestly surprised it had taken her this long. My stomach roiled as the two of them laughed, Lacey flicking her long, blond hair over her shoulder. I gripped the edge of the bar and forced my gaze back to the man in front of me. “Uh, yeah. I think people are excited about the band.”

Ethan nodded. “That was a really smart idea.”

I busied myself wiping down the bar. “It wasn’t mine.”

“Whose was it?”

Ethan blanched, coming to the realization that Ford was behind the live music. “Don’t worry. Ford and I have gotten over our bad blood.”

Ethan studied me carefully. “You sure? It takes a lot to get you riled up enough to pour a beer over a man’s head.”

I grinned. “And let that be a warning to you to never piss me off.” He held up his hands in surrender. “So, where’s your boss?” I hadn’t seen much of Hunter since we’d buried the hatchet at the bonfire.

Ethan took a sip of his drink, then set it on the bar. “He’ll be here in a bit. Just wanted to stop by his parents’ and see if they needed anything.”

“Good. I miss seeing his ugly mug around here.”

Ethan grinned. “Make sure you tell him just how ugly it is.”

“Always do. Can’t have all the attention the ladies lavish on him going to his head.”

Ethan lifted his drink in a toast. “Amen to that.”

“Speak of the Devil.”

Hunter slid onto the empty stool, and Ethan gave him a friendly slap on the back. “What? You guys talking about how amazing I am?”

I stepped up onto the shelf under the bar so I could lean over the counter. I grabbed Hunt’s face in my hands and laid a smacking kiss on each cheek. “Actually, we were just talking about how ugly you were.”

Hunter let out a deep chuckle. “That cuts deep coming from you, Bell.”