She leaned over to Blair. “Tonight’s the night,” she whispered in her friend’s ear. She watched as Reid sauntered toward her from across the lawn. She could already see the flecks of liquid amber in his eyes as he got closer. “I’m going to tell him everything.”
Three
Maggie
“Having fun, G?” Justyn twirled Maggie in a perfect circle, keeping time with the music. The band was belting out another peppy beach tune.
“It’s a great party.” She smiled at her dance partner. Josh had convinced Blair to join him for a song. Something abo
ut owing it to a soon-to-be-married man. So, Maggie was happy to oblige when Justyn asked her to join him. He must have seen her feet tapping in time to the beat under the table.
Reid had been standing by the bar, talking to his dad for the last fifteen minutes. She glanced to the left and watched where her handsome swimmer was listening to something the older Strait was saying. Like his son, Mr. Strait was holding a Bud Light in one hand, but was gesturing with the other as he continued with his lecture. At least it looked like a lecture to Maggie. Reid wasn’t saying much.
Justyn swung Maggie out to the right and let go of one hand. He pulled her closer, matching their movements to the beat.
“What’s going on there?” She motioned with her chin over his shoulder.
Her dance partner pivoted.
“Oh, Uncle Wes is probably burning Reid’s ear about work.” Justyn made a face.
“Your business? What’s that look for?” Maggie asked.
“Let’s just say our dads have definite opinions about how we should do things.” Justyn twirled her again. “And they’re never good at holding back.”
“And y’all don’t agree?” Maggie was intrigued.
God knows Denny Zeal had strong opinions about how to operate a successful business. Maggie had sat through her fair share of lectures about the importance of accurate budget projections and hiring the right managers. She could relate to being forced to spend a lot of time listening.
“It’s not that exactly,” Justyn continued. “We just want to do this ourselves. Our boats aren’t the same as building traditional fishing boats and fixing them.”
Maggie nodded. “Your boats are really special.” She felt herself grow red thinking about her favorite ways to spend time on the Strait cousins’ custom boats. Sex probably wasn’t the first selling point to customers, but maybe they could include that in the next ad. Maggie smiled, wondering what kind of response she would get from Reid when she mentioned it later tonight.
“Thanks, G. We hope everyone else will think so too. We just want to prove we’re different than our fathers, ya know?”
“Oh, I understand.” More than you know. “Speaking of dads, where’s yours?” she asked.
“Dancing over there with my mom.” Justyn shifted her to the left so she could see a tall gray-haired man in his mid-fifties holding a curvy blonde close. “He doesn’t miss a chance to dance to some beach music.”
Maggie smiled, noting the older Strait’s broad shoulders and infectious grin when he looked down at Justyn’s mom. If the genes were any indication, Justyn and Reid would both age well.
The song ended, and Justyn lowered Maggie for a gentle dip.
“Keep your hands off my man, G.” Blair’s eyes looked down on her.
Justyn pulled his partner up and dropped her hand. “You were the one out there shaking it with an almost-married man.” He pulled the blonde under the crook of his arm.
“Joking, joking. I know you were in good hands.” Blair winked at her friend. “I sure could use a drink. Josh is almost as wild as Henry out there.”
As if summoned, Henry and Shirley Guthrie emerged from the crowd of dancers. “Well, now there are my favorite young lovebirds.” Shirley swooped Justyn and Blair into an embrace, managing to still hold onto her beer with one hand. Tonight, she was decked out in a bright yellow caftan-style dress, and her shell earrings matched perfectly.
Blair shot a look toward Maggie, and she had to turn away from her friend to stop an onslaught of giggles.
“I told you, didn’t I, Henry?” Shirley looked up at her husband. “The moment I met these sweet girls, I just knew exactly who we had to introduce them to.”
“We know all about your matchmaking skills, Shirls.” Henry patted her hand dismissively. “Have you girls enjoyed the island this summer?”
“Well, of course they have, honey,” Shirley answered before Maggie or Blair could respond. “Thanks to me and JoBeth, they found two of the cutest boys east of Beaufort. What did I say the day we met, sweetie?” She looked at Blair. “Catch an island man, and you’ll never leave.”