Jess and her mother, Kris, arrived at the beach house with a mix of excitement and nervousness. The house was simple and charming, painted a faded blue with white trim. It sat comfortably by the sea, its front porch with old wicker chairs looking out over the sandy beach.
Inside, the décor was basic but cozy. The living room had a floral couch, some mismatched chairs, and an old rug. A small wooden dining table was tucked into a corner.
Jess took a deep breath as she walked inside, hoping this place would be a fresh start. She wanted to leave behind the pain of her past with Rick and find some peace here. While Kris began unpacking, Jess went out to the back porch to look at the beach.
The shore stretched out with soft sand, seashells, and driftwood. As Jess walked along the water's edge, the salty breeze and the sound of the waves helped calm her thoughts. She focused on the beauty around her, hoping it would ease her inner pain.
Suddenly, she saw a man walking along the shore. He was leaving footprints in the sand and smiled warmly at her.
"Hey there!" he called over the sound of the waves. "Nice day, isn't it?"
Jess smiled back. "Yeah, it is. I'm Jess."
"Nice to meet you, Jess. I'm Liam," he said, offering a friendly handshake. His grip was firm but kind, and his eyes were warm.
They walked along the beach together, chatting easily. Liam talked about the local area and mentioned his family's pub called "The Salt & Sea."
"It might not look like much from the outside," Liam said with a chuckle, "but it's got character. And the food's pretty good if I do say so myself."
Jess was intrigued. The idea of a local pub where she could meet people and settle into the community sounded good. "That sounds nice," she said. "I've been looking for new places around here."
"Why don't you come by and check it out?" Liam suggested with a smile. "We've got live music tonight. It's a great way to get to know the area and meet some friendly faces."
Jess thought about it. She wasn't sure if she was ready to dive into social activities, but Liam's easygoing nature and the idea of meeting locals seemed like a good distraction. "That sounds good," she said. "I might just do that."
Later that night, Jess and Liam arrived at the pub. The place had a cozy, relaxed vibe with soft lighting and a warm atmosphere. The wooden bar and simple décor made Jess feel welcome.
"You own this place?" Jess asked as they approached the bar.
Liam winked. "Not entirely. It's a partnership," he said with a smile.
"It's nice. You've done a great job," Jess said as they sat in a booth. They ordered drinks to start their evening. Jess reminded herself to be careful with alcohol—she wanted to avoid any drama like she had with Rick.
She tried to shake off her doubts. Liam had been very kind, and his gestures were gentle.
As they waited for their drinks, Jess wondered if Liam had a romantic interest in her. She looked at him again and noticed his smile was infectious.
"Are you doing okay?" Liam asked, noticing her change in mood.
Jess quickly met his gaze and forced a smile. "Yes, I'm fine. Thanks," she replied, trying to push away her unease.
"So, what brought you to this place?" Liam asked, twirling a shot glass between his fingers.
"Just needed a change," Jess said, sipping her drink carefully. The strong liquor warmed her throat, and she laughed, "Wow, that's strong."
Liam laughed too. "That's our special mix. Is it too much for you?" He looked at her with concern in his eyes.
Jess almost choked as she looked into his hazel eyes. They reminded her of Rick's. "Hazel eyes! You have hazel eyes!" she exclaimed.
Liam seemed surprised for a moment but then smiled. "Yeah, it runs in the family," he said, amused by her reaction, though he didn't know why it mattered so much to her.
"Sorry for blurting that out," Jess said with a small grin. "I was just surprised. There aren't many people with hazel eyes."
"But you found me, didn't you?" Liam said with a hint of curiosity, leaving his comment open to interpretation.
"Cheers!" Jess said, lifting her glass to change the subject. She wasn't ready for any romantic talk, especially while she was still dealing with her feelings.
She took a deep breath and said seriously, "Liam, I just want to be clear. I'm here to get away from something and someone. I'm not looking to start any relationships right now. It wouldn't be fair to anyone."
Liam listened quietly and then nodded. "Sorry if I came on too strong. I didn't mean to. Let's just be friends, Jess. No strings attached." He offered his hand for a handshake.
She laughed, feeling a bit relieved. "Friends it is."
As the evening went on, they chatted more about the town's history and the harbor's role in the local economy. Liam mentioned his cousin inspired him to open the pub, but Jess wasn't too curious about the details. For now, she enjoyed the simple, genuine connection she was building with Liam.