It is a good idea, although I think we should run it past my mom. I tell Anita as much and she says she’ll take care of it. All of it.
We talk about the idea all the way back to the trailer park and she’s still tossing out ideas when I get out of the car. I unlock the trailer and change out of my work clothes. I enter my room to get a pair of shorts when I see a fresh yellow flower across my pillow. I pick it up and smell the sweet fragrance.
I decide then what to do with the rest of my day, and slip on my bikini before pulling on shirts and a T-shirt. I grab my keys and head to the car.
It only takes a few minutes to get to the marina. There’s little traffic, although that will increase in the next week. I turn down the gravel road and then into the parking lot. I know Justin’s at the meeting in Myrtle, but I thought maybe I could surprise Pete. I walk into the office and find Bobby behind the desk.
“Hey cuz, what are you doing here?”
“Stopped by looking for Pete.” I want to thank him for my daily flowers.
“He went into Myrtle with Justin. Part of the meeting is about zoning regulations, and that’s his job to handle.”
I make a face at the idea of both of them being gone. “I guess I’ll catch him later, then.”
“Nick’s out on the launch dock, though, if you want to see if he’s still here.”
The thrum of my heartbeat answers for me. “Great, thanks, Bobby. I’ll see you later.”
I leave the office and walk toward the dock. The marina isn’t huge but it’s efficient. A large three-story storage unit sits to my left. The boats are stacked by a huge forklift. It’s kind of fascinating to watch and it was no surprise the boys loved to work here with fun machines and giant toys.
I spot Nick on the wooden platform, fussing with the camera in his hands. His shoulders are broad and muscular. It’s obvious he’s an athlete, but there’s such a gentleness to him—the artist side. I love the dichotomy.
He hears my footsteps and turns, lips curving upward when he sees me.
“Hey,” he says, walking over to meet me. He greets me with a quick kiss. “What are you doing here?”
“Honestly, looking for Pete, but Bobby said you were down here, so I came by.” I nod at the camera. “Taking pictures?”
“I’m going out on the boat for a while. I’m hoping to catch the sunset down the waterway.” He slips an arm around my waist. “Want to come?”
“Sure.”
I’d just caught him, because the boat is ready and he’s already placed three different cameras in a box on the back seat. The boat isn’t big at all…just a small fishing boat with two seats. He holds my hand when I get in, making sure to keep the boat from rocking, and I settle into the seat next to him.
Nick is huge behind the small steering wheel, but his eyes are bright against the afternoon sky. He starts the engine and the quiet marina turns into a rumble that lessens as we get away from the dock and out in the waterway.
Maybe because I’d never been a big swimmer or beach-goer, I certainly never thought I’d be a boat person. Fishing all day or cruising up and down the waterway. It can be a little boring unless you’re with a big group, but being out here with Nick as the sun lowers in the horizon feels calming. He doesn’t go too fast, giving me a chance to look at the big houses that line the waterfront. I spot the dock and tree swing at Richard’s—now my mom’s—house. We reach a wide, open area, the passage from the ocean to the waterway, that also leads into the mouth of the river. Nick cuts the engine and gentle waves rock the boat.
“Is this our destination?” I ask. There aren’t many boats out and the whole place is serene.
“Yep, the sun will head right down the river. Hopefully I can get a few good shots.” He gets out his camera and takes a few test shots, checking his settings. I pretend not to get self-conscious when he takes a few of me.
I spent a lot of time with Nick while he worked with my mother on her book. He took photographs that were used in the actual book and for promotion. The truth was Nick was no longer a hobbyist…he’s a professional.
“When’s the sun setting?”
He looks in the distance. “Probably about an hour.” His eyes skim over me. “Want to go for a swim?”
I’m not the best swimmer but I’ve come a long way in the last year. I spent a lot of time with the guys, conquering my fears of things in the dark Atlantic water. The afternoon sun feels hot now that we’re sitting in one place and the thought of seeing Nick with his shirt off is enough motivation.
“If you promise not to leave me.” I still get nervous in the ocean.
He smiles. “Not a problem.”
I drop my shorts and pull my shirt over my head. When I look up, I’m greeted by Nick’s bare chest. His skin isn’t fully tanned and there’s a distinct difference between his neck and his shoulders—probably from working out for the team with his equipment on. I don’t move out of fear of rocking the boat, but damn, I want to touch him.
While I’m studying him, he’s studying me, and I feel warmer than I did a moment before. I’m still not used to showing this much skin—or even having such a heated gaze directed at me. I run my hand over my stomach self-consciously, but he grabs it, linking his fingers with mine. I smile up at him, the sun right behind his head. He counts to three, his voice deep and playful, before jumping over the edge, pulling me with him.