
With a fresh damp cloth from the back of the restaurant, Eric cleaned the stray crumbs from the table, shoulder muscles rippling, a half smile turning up the corner of his mouth. A couple walking nearby on the beach turned to look at him. The man nodded. The dark woman behind him looked Erek up and down and smiled. For once, his lips effortlessly formed a smile in return and he carried the dirty dishes to the kitchen with a bounce in his step. Behind the bar, Jean’s eyebrows drew sharply together in a scowl.