“Got it. She likes playing the hero, doesn’t she?” Emilia took a seat at one of the bar stools and shot Morgan a sardonic look that quickened her pulse.

“I see you know all there is to know about the Don. Do the doggos need any water? Morgan’s finicky about community water bowls. Kraken gets his own cup.”

“Lucky boy,” said Emilia.

“Lucky owner. I know he drinks out of the toilet at home,” said Stormy.

“He does not.” Morgan put her hand on Kraken’s head, only half feigning her wounded tone. No dog of hers would ever drink out of some bacteria-filled cesspool.

“Mhmm. What can I get you ladies?”

“I’ll take a stout,” said Morgan.

“And I’ll try your porter.”

“Excellent choices, though I would have pegged you as an IPA drinker,” Stormy said to Emilia. “How are you liking Seal Cove?”

“I feel like I dove right into the middle of it.”

Another joke? Morgan couldn’t tell.

“Not something I’d recommend. I don’t touch that water until July, and that’s with padding.” She patted her curvy figure.

“Or a wet suit,” said Morgan.

“Why haven’t I seen you in ages? Buying coffee doesn’t count,” Stormy asked as she set Morgan’s foaming stout down in front of her.

“I’ve been on call and it’s spring. Everything wants to be born or die, usually at the same time. Danielle made me take three nights off a week, though, so maybe you’ll see more of me.”

“I’ll believe it when I see it, but thank you for darkening my door.”

“I don’t darken doorways.”

“Oh, but you do. You’re all dark and brooding.”

“And I don’t brood.”

“She broods,” Stormy said to Emilia.

“Brooding is better than pouting,” said Emilia.

“True. Although Stevie is a cutie when she pouts. Tell her I miss her, too. Does she know you’re here? I’m surprised to see you two separated.”

“Stevie?” Morgan felt an unwanted heat rise in her cheeks. “I left her at the house. Emilia and I ran into each other at the dock.”

“I won’t tell her you’re cheating on her,” said Stormy.

Emilia’s eyebrows contracted in confusion, and Morgan contemplated tossing her drink in Stormy’s direction. The last thing she needed was Emilia thinking she and Stevie were an item.

“Cheating on her with beer,” she tried to clarify.

Emilia’s eyebrows continued their trajectory inward.

“I’m not dating Stevie.” Why was she saying these things? She looked to Stormy for aid, only to find her friend smirking at her in amusement.

“Well, now that you’ve thoroughly established how you feel about Stevie, I’ll get back to work,” said Stormy as a group of high schoolers came into the shop.

“Let’s grab a table.” Morgan fled Stormy’s knowing smile. Damn her friends. They meant well, but they were also mortifying. She chose a corner away from the boisterous youths in pursuit of a caffeinated jolt. Kraken heaved a sigh and collapsed by her chair. Nell, Morgan noticed, sat close to Emilia and watched her surroundings with some of her owner’s wariness.