Free Rip Current by Jill Sanders Page A

from behind the bar.  
    She shrugged her shoulders and slapped at his hand. “Not so much. I like my job too much to care.” She started cleaning up and closing down the bar. When she glanced at the clock, she smiled when she noticed that it was only a few minutes to one.
    “ But, you’re feet have to be killing you.” Cole said, shoving a handful of cherries into his mouth.  
    She glanced at him and shook her head. “I’m sure there’s still something in the kitchen to eat.”
    He shrugged his shoulders. “I’ll have whatever you’re having.”
    She rolled her eyes at him and placed her dinner order of cheese sticks and a turkey sandwich. Just for him, she added another sandwich and a side of chips and salsa and then made it all to-go instead of dine-in like she normally did.
    “ You were going to tell me what was so funny,” he reminded her when she started wiping the counter down.  
    She glanced up at him and tried to remember what she was thinking about. “Oh, it’s just funny that after so many years, I can gauge when it’s time to start closing down without glancing at a clock.”
    She watched Cole tilt his head a little and nod. “I guess it’s a lot like the way I can tell that a good wave is coming.” He smiled at her as she chuckled.
    “ I guess.” She allowed herself to lean against the bar for a moment. “It must be nice to have a job where you are out in the sun all day.” She sighed.  
    He shrugged his shoulders. “Surfing really isn’t a job. Modeling. Now that’s a job.” He shook his head. “Everyone thinks it’s an easy job.” He shook his head.
    She laughed. “It must be rough, standing around in your underwear all day.”
    He sighed and shook his head, then turned and said goodbye to Shelly and Marcus, who were leaving.
    “ You didn’t answer my question about Roman,” Marcus said to Cole.  
    “ I didn’t?” Cole frowned and then grew quiet.  
    “ No,” Marcus finally said. “We got interrupted by the fight.”  
    “ Oh, right.” He chuckled. “That was a crazy one. Did you see how that guy…”  
    “ Cole,” Marcus demanded.  
    “ Right.” Cole shook his head and sighed. “He’s still in Atlanta, I guess.”  
    “ You guess?” Marcus leaned on the bar and glared at his brother.  
    “ Yeah, I mean. I haven’t actually spoken to him.”  
    “ Well, what can you tell me.” Marcus crossed his arms over his chest and waited.  
    “ He’s not home.” Cole smiled and leaned back.  
    “ I know that. When will he be home?”  
    “ Why?” Cole asked. Wendy stifled a giggle. She knew when Cole was avoiding answering. She didn’t know why he was, but he was doing a terrible job at it tonight.  
    Marcus rolled his eyes. “Fine, if you’re not going to tell me, I’ll have Aunt…”
    “ No!” Cole jumped off the stool and took his brother’s shoulders. “Don’t you dare.”  
    Marcus shrugged his shoulders. “Fine, then spill.”
    Cole glanced around and sighed. “Fine, but I’m waiting until Cassey’s done.” He nodded to where their sister was busy setting chairs on top of the tables.
    “ Okay.” Marcus glanced at Shelly, who nodded.  
    “ We can wait. I’m not that tired.” She smiled.  
    By the time Wendy finished cleaning and closing out, Cassey was finished as well. They all stood around the bar and waited to hear Cole’s big secret.
    ***
    “ He’s gone to find Marissa.” He left out the part about him finding her. He knew he was betraying Marcus and Cassey, but he’d made Roman a promise. Besides, he wasn’t too sure if he believed Roman himself. After all, his brother had, in the last eight years, claimed to have seen her over three dozen times. Of course, no one else had, and half of those times, it had ended up being some woman who only looked like their long-lost sister.  
    “ Is that all?” Cassey sighed. Cole could see the sadness flood into his sister’s eye and hoped more than anything that Roman