“Nah.” Reid chuckled. “My cousin here is the college boy in the family.” He slapped Justyn on the back.
“Shut up, Reid. These girls don’t want to hear the complete Strait family history. Boring.” Justyn was bending down tying a knot to the cleat on the dock.
When the rope was secure, Justyn walked over to stand beside Maggie.
Blair, who had been heading toward the house, turned around. “Strait, huh? So are you still in school, Justyn Strait?”
“Don’t let my boyish good looks fool you. I graduated four years ago. Couldn’t wait to get back to the island,” he said. “Reid, it’s time we head home. It’s starting to get choppy out here.”
Maggie wasn’t ready for them to leave. There was more to these island guys than smoldering looks. “What about you Reid?” She wanted a reason to make him stay. If only she could come up with a way to make him touch her again.
“Oh, Reid here spent the last several years jumping out of helicopters to save drowning fishermen in Alaska and crazy shit like that. One of the Coast Guard’s best swimmers,” Justyn teased, but Maggie could tell he was proud of his cousin.
“Wow.” She smiled at the sailor, imagining what he looked like swimming shirtless through the waves. “I bet you saw some beautiful beaches out there.”
“None as pretty as here,” he said, looking into her eyes. Maggie felt a jolt from the intense stare and wondered if he was really talking about the shoreline.
“What about you two?” Justyn asked, stepping on the boat’s bow. “I thought I heard Shirley mention something about you going to Carolina. It figures.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Blair sounded pissed. And Maggie thought they had started to get along during the cruise. It didn’t take much to ruffle her high-strung friend.
“Nothing, just that I’ve met your type before. I met a Carolina girl or two in my day.”
“I’m sure you
met girls all over the ACC, what with all those baseball games and trophies,” Reid called across the dock. These guys clearly liked to pick on each other.
“Again, Reid. Enough with the family history. They don’t need to know about my baseball glory days. It’s time to go.” Justyn cranked the engine.
Reid headed toward the ropes. “Would you girls be interested in another cruise? We’re going to be busy the next few days, but I’m sure we can show you Beaufort one night.”
“That sounds fun,” Maggie answered for them both before Blair could protest. “What’s your number? I’ll text you my number and the house phone. Cell service seems to be spotty around here sometimes.”
“Typical for this place,” Blair muttered while Reid called out numbers.
“What Blair means is that the island is quaint, but everyone’s been so friendly. Thanks again for the offer,” Maggie finished, tapping on her phone.
Reid smiled and boarded the boat. She waved good-bye, watching the cute boat builder push off from the dock. This hot Fourth of July had definitely lit a spark in her summer.
Five
Maggie
“They are cute, Maggie. Like over-the-top, hot as hell, sexy, and delicious kind of cute. How are there two guys like that on the island?”
Maggie looked at her friend in the mirror as she held up one of her favorite dresses to her small frame. What did a girl wear to a water-cruising non-date?
“I know. Have you seen Reid’s eyes? I have to stop. It’s like I start blushing every time he looks at me.”
“And what about Justyn’s? They are this gray-green color I’ve never seen before. And his chest. Oh my God. I’m totally sleeping with him before the end of the summer—whatever it takes.”
“Blair! Seriously.”
“What? There’s nothing wrong with it. I know what I want and I want him.” Blair pulled a shirt over her head that ended just above her navel. “It doesn’t have to lead to anything else. I’m perfectly happy with summer sex.”
Maggie raised her eyebrows. “I feel bad for Justyn. He’s not going to know what to do with you.”
“I hope you’re completely wrong, G. I think he’ll know exactly what to do.” Blair giggled.