Part 16 (1/2)

”Yeah, she was,” he said quietly. ”And look, I didn't mean to say I'd respect you less if you and Jack got together. I'm sorry. I'm just worried.”

”Yeah, well, me too. And I forgive you, even though you ruined the s.h.i.+t out of what could have been an amazing night paddle.”

Joey chuckled. ”C'mon, let's head back.”

We drew our kayaks through the water silently except for the sounds of our breathing and the water trickling off the paddles. I kept my ears strained for the sound of a puff of air signaling a dolphin nearby.

As we got to the dock, all I heard was the low buzz of my phone where I'd left it with my sweater. I waited until we were on the way home, my head resting against the window frame, drawing the last bit of spring air for the night, before I read it.

Late Night Visitor: Take the day off tomorrow? I have plans for us ...

As soon as I woke up, I texted Brenda. I was only working the lunch s.h.i.+ft today. Confirming she could cover me, and get some other help in, I called Paulie.

”You've never officially asked for the day off,” he said gruffly. ”Anything important?”

”I have no idea.”

Then I texted Jack.

Me: What are we doing?

Late Night Visitor: Dev and I will pick you up in 45. Bring a swimsuit in case. Do your brother or Jazz want to come?

The surge of disappointment that I'd be sharing Jack with Devon, and also that he wanted to invite as many people as possible was so strong, I almost laughed at myself. Swimsuit?

Me: I'll check ... again, what are we doing?

Late Night Visitor: Location scouting and looking for horses (don't ask).

Looking for horses ... in a swimsuit. Right. I'd just started to text Jazz when another message from Jack popped up.

Late Night Visitor: Don't worry, I also have alone plans for you and me.

A giddy laugh escaped me, and I bit my lip down to hold onto my emotions.

Me: Didn't even cross my mind.

Late Night Visitor: Lucky you. It was all I could think about.

Me: I lied about that. Obviously. Me, too.

Late Night Visitor: I know.

Me: Arrogant.

Late Night Visitor: Confident.

Jack and Devon had pulled up in their silver Jeep, the top down, and Jack hopped out in aviators, wearing his uniform of dark ball cap, distressed jeans, and solid color t-s.h.i.+rt. He'd shaved and his strong jaw was grinning. My, what beautiful teeth he has.

My brother shook his hand and was introduced to Devon.

As Jack pulled his seat forward so Joey and I could climb in, Joey stepped back to allow me in first. I gave him a shove. I wanted to sit behind Jack.

My brother rolled his eyes, and climbed in, then took the bag from me with our towels and stuff. He and Devon exchanged a couple of comments and talked about where we were going. I'd already told Jazz to meet us at the Marina per Jack's additional instructions.

”Good morning,” Jack murmured softly as I moved in front of him to climb in after Joey.

I glanced up but couldn't see his eyes behind his gla.s.ses.

”Yes, it is,” I returned and settled myself in the seat, tying my hair up with a band.

Jack put the chair back and got in. I could see the smooth nape of his neck over the seat back. Seriously, was every part of him like the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen?

As soon as we were moving, his hand came down the gap between his seat and the door and touched me lightly on the ankle.

I pursed my lips, inhaling deeply through my nose. My chest began a deep steady thump, and I wanted to close my eyes and just revel in the feeling of his fingertips on me. Rummaging around in my brown leather purse, I pulled out my mirrored sungla.s.ses and slid them on. I s.h.i.+fted my foot forward, and his hand closed lightly around my leg.

The Harbor Master at Palmetto Marina was salty and weather-beaten, with the palest blue eyes I'd ever seen. He also may have been the only person in the world who had no recognition of Jack.

Devon filled out paperwork for the charter boat, and then we bought enough drinks, sandwiches, and snacks for an apocalypse and headed down the jetty.

”Wow,” I said, getting a good look at the large white yacht at the end. ”This one?”

”Dang!” Jazz echoed my surprise. ”This beats tooling around in Cooper's dirty old Carolina Skiff dropping crab traps. This has to be like forty feet.”

We climbed on board, and Dan, the captain, who was also older and turned out to be the second person in the world to be completely oblivious of who was on his boat, gave us a tour and showed us where to stow our stuff. We all settled on the front sundeck, chatting over the sound of squawking gulls.

Cap'n Dan glided us slowly along the no wake zone toward the open sound, the cool salty wind whipping errant strands of hair into my eyes.

”I wish Monica was here,” Devon said. ”She loves the water. Loves being on a boat.”

”Where is she?” I asked.

”She'll be here next week, we had a couple of projects we were finis.h.i.+ng up.”

”So what are we doing?” asked Jazz. ”I'm happy to just lounge on the boat, but are we doing something specific?”

”I wanted to get here and check out the spots our locations department had listed.” Devon answered her.

”So, you're just approving them or something?” Jazz asked.

”Well, normally we go with the locations people, but Jack thought we could make a day of it and check a few other places out ourselves.” He glanced at Jack, and they exchanged a look.

Jazz caught my eye, and winked.

”Do you know anything about Marsh Tacky horses?” Jack asked me.

”Well, they're local and in danger of extinction. I think there are less than three hundred left,” I offered.

He nodded. ”Yeah, they date back to the Spanish colonials and are really st.u.r.dy and good in swampy water, so they'll be perfect for the movie, we think.”