Sean was already on his feet. He tossed a large tip on the bar. "Thanks again,...

Sean was already on his feet. He tossed a large tip on the bar. "Thanks again, Charlie. See you later, Dave."
"See you," Dave echoed. With a glimmer of a smile, he nodded in the direction of the parking lot. "Catching a ride?"
"That's the idea."
"Good luck."
"Thanks. I'll need it."
Sean had slipped his jacket off the back of the stool and was shrugging into it when one of the men seated at the corner spoke.
"Hey, McDermott, what's your opinion? Silicone for sure, huh?"
Sean paused to glance their way. Ray and Frank were partners in a small-port fishing business. He knew them vaguely. Now he wished he didn't. He shook his head in contempt. "Think I'd tell you, Ray?"
Ray's eyes narrowed. "Like you actually know, McDermott. You claiming you've handled the goods, Mayor?" His tone matched the sneer on his face. "If so, the lady sure don't seem to remember." He poked Frank with his elbow. "Looked right through him, didn't she, Frank?"
"Like a pane of glass."
Sean ignored their snorts of laughter. "Let me give you some friendly advice," he said mildly. "I'd be real careful not to let the lady catch you staring at her like that."
Ray pulled a comical face, pretending to look scared, then laughed even harder.
Sean smiled in return. Yet when Ray opened his mouth to speak, he cut him off. "But if the one who catches you gawking, if I hear you talking about her that way again-" he paused, and his smile turned dangerous-"your sorry carcasses will be feeding the fish.