Alexis handed her the glass. "It was, but I'm going to mix things up a bit. I'll have a beer. I've heard there's a microbrewery on the island now."
"Tropic Turtle. It's real good. I'll get you two."
Alexis wrinkled her nose. "One's probably enough for me."
"It's not for you," she said, nodding toward Ty as she sauntered away. "He's about to finish."
The waitress was right. By the time she returned to the bar, Ty finished his set as the crowd clapped and whooped appreciatively.
"Thank you," he said with a slight wave. He barely removed his guitar before making a beeline for Alexis. "You made it. I'm so glad." He slid into the seat across from her, eager to hear her reaction.
"You are really good," Alexis blurted out.
"You sound relieved."
She gave him a nervous smile. "I just didn't know what to expect. It's been a long time since I watched someone play."
"Too many billable hours?" he queried.
"Something like that," she said vaguely. "Your sound is very pure."
He looked pleased. "Pure, I like that. Thank you."
"So you wrote all those songs yourself?"
He nodded. "Told you, it's my passion."
"The crowd sure likes you."
"They're mostly family members." When her eye widened in surprise, he laughed. "Joking."
"The waitress definitely likes you," Alexis whispered as the petite girl arrived with two bottles of Tropic Turtle and two pilsner glasses.
"That was awesome, Tyler," the waitress said, placing his beer and glass down first. "You're so amazing."
"Thanks, Lily. How's school going?"
Lily put down Alexis's bottle and glass and smiled ruefully. "It's hard, but I'm doing it."
"Lily takes classes online," he explained. "Not easy to go to college if you don't want to leave here."
"Hospitality and hotel management," Lily offered. "I figure it'll come in handy if
I stay on the island."
"Pink Palm could use some real competition," Tyler agreed.
"The Pink Palm Hotel?" Alexis queried. "That's still going?"
"Still does real good business," Lily said, "but word on the bay is that Roy
Haskell hasn't been well since his wife died."
"That's too bad," Alexis said, her face clouding over.
"Some people don't recover from a thing like that," Lily continued.
Alexis's expression wasn't lost on Tyler. "Thanks for the drinks, Lily," Tyler said politely, letting her know it was time to move on.
"Let me know if you need anything," Lily said, directing her offer to Tyler.
"Will do."
Tyler turned his full attention to the person he really wanted to talk to. "So how's your visit going?"
"I'm here in a bar, aren't I?" She sighed. "I'm kidding; it's not too bad. My parents are as expected. Same for my sister. Nephews are great, though. I highly recommend them."