Page 64

I feel my cheeks flush at the compliment, and the memories of the kisses I shared with Sully, and shrug. "I don't know what we are, to be honest. Friends might be the best description. Though right now, even that is…questionable."

"You're more than friends," Jasmine says.

She gives me a look that says I'm overreacting without her saying a word. I glare at her.

She glares back.

I shake my head. "He overstepped. Big time. I'm not even sure we're friends at the moment," I argue, tensing and then quickly trying to release that tension when my muscles protest with twinges of pain that remind me of how sore I am. I don't allow it to temper my upset, though. "I can't be with someone who thinks he can take over my life when it impacts my income and livelihood. That's too much."

Cheryl, another of the babes and Hadley's mother, asks what Sully did to overstep. It's a question I would've expected from Mary Elizabeth out of motherly concern or Tessa out of sheer curiosity, but Cheryl is more reserved. Still, I fill them in on how Sully contacted Ty about me not working at the Pelican.

"Oh, hon. I admit that is an overreach, but surely you can see things from his point of view," Tessa chides. "The man is thoroughly smitten with you, and I'm sure he is quite beside himself after what happened."

"I think it's sweet," Mary Elizabeth adds softly. "Not that he interfered with your job," she quickly counters when I jerk my head toward her, "but that he's so protective of you. A lot of men no longer have that wonderful trait."

I lock my jaw, refusing to let the Babes sway my opinion, even though they bring to light some solid points. Sully is protective. It's his nature, his calling. It's what he lives daily as a firefighter and EMT. To help and protect.

But that doesn't mean I want him messing with my life. It's my life, and I've literally fought to get where I am right now. But my heart also tugs because I know why Sully is the way that he is, and it's all so confusing.

No, no, no. It isn't confusing. It's a boundary that can't be crossed. I will not allow myself to feel sorry for him as a way to excuse his behavior. I mean, yes, of course I do feel for all he's been through, but I'm not her. I won't be her, either.

Not again.

"Oh, look. Speak of the devil," Jas says in an amused tone.

I look up to see Sully spinning in a semicircle nearby as though looking for someone. He's obviously not looking for me, though. I can tell by the sharp glance he shoots over his shoulder, as though anchoring my whereabouts, before he goes back to his search.

My stomach knots, and my sore muscles pull once again. Because I know he thinks he's seen someone. Sully is too intense, too focused.

And if that's not enough to confirm my thoughts, one of the Blackwater Saints emerges from Betty and plants himself within arm's reach, his gaze also searching the people around us. But is it because he picked up on Sully's behavior? Or had he seen someone as well?

Jasmine stills when she sees the weirdness going on.

"You okay?" she asks in a whisper only intended for me.

The Babes are discussing how handsome all of the firefighters are and how one of them had seen them running along the beach as a group. Apparently the older ladies don't mind some eye candy every now and again. "I'm fine."

Sully heads my way, a dark scowl on his too-handsome face. He draws the notice of every female he passes on his way to me, though, and I feel myself get hot with jealousy.

My gaze locks with his, and even from a distance, I see his features soften a bit. He looks wary but angry and determined, reminding me of our argument earlier.

But given what has just taken place, I feel my upset weaken like a summer storm blowing out to sea.

He cares for me. I can see it. Feel it. And it's a protective sort of caring, like the Babes said. Not the controlling kind. So maybe I do need to cut him some slack? Especially given the jealousy that just flooded me?

That means something. The fact that I'm jealous. If I feel it, I have to own it. And owning it means…admitting that I like him. A lot.

Which scares me.

A lot.

Am I ready for love? Being in love? Being a partner? A girlfriend?

I shove the terrifying thoughts aside and pounce the moment he gets within speaking distance. "What did you see?"

Sully's gaze flits to the man standing guard behind me and back to me.

"I don't know. Maybe nothing."