“It’s already five p.m. in Paris, so I’ll call the European parties tomorrow morning.”
“Sounds perfect.” Steven slammed his laptop closed.
“By the way,” Katie added, “thanks for sending breakfast over the last couple of days.”
“Breakfast?” Steven mumbled, as he scrolled through a lengthy
message on his phone. “I don’t know anything about that.”
“Biscuits and gravy yesterday. Bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches today. Gary said you sent him to fetch it for me.”
“I’d love to say that was my idea, but it wasn’t.” Steven tucked his phone away.
“Why would he lie about something like that?”
Steven threw his hands up in the air. “I have no idea what’s going on with him. Today, he chewed me out for giving you an assignment to work on while we’re here. Then, a few seconds later, he did a one-eighty and encouraged me to come over here and talk to you about it.”
Katie went to the kitchen counter and grabbed her purse, throwing the strap over her shoulder. “I can’t figure him out.”
“Sorry he’s acting so flaky. He’s usually not this moody.”
Steven stood and stretched, which only served to emphasize the well-developed shoulder muscles, flexing under his t-shirt. She forced her eyes away.
I can’t think about my boss like that.
“He’s only been acting weird the past few days.” This proved it. She’d carelessly hurt Gary’s feelings, and now he was withdrawing.
“Aside from Gary, are you enjoying the trip?” Steven followed her out the door.
“Way more than I expected.” She locked the cottage door behind them and tucked the key in her purse. “I’ve done quite a few things outside my comfort zone, and I have to admit, it’s been fun. Like ziplining the other day. I still can’t believe I did it.”
“I’m surprised you’ve overcome so many fears.” Steven’s hand steadied her elbow as they descended the steps, but his touch didn’t have any effect on her. If Gary had done the same thing, there would’ve been sparks flying out of her arm.
“You know, I’m really only afraid of one thing, and that’s death,” Katie said. “So once I convinced myself death had a low probability, it wasn’t that difficult.”
“You should’ve gone parasailing with us yesterday. Statistically, it’s really safe.”
They turned on the sidewalk that led to downtown Indigo Bay.
“Yes, but that’s like flying in an airplane. It’s safe when everything’s working, but if anything goes wrong, your chances of surviving are pretty much zero.”
As they walked, the sea breeze blew her hair into her face, and she tried to tuck it behind her ears. Her only regret with her new style was that the some of the layers escaped a ponytail holder.
“There’s a hint of danger, I suppose. But I guess that’s part of the adrenaline rush.”
“I can see why you guys enjoy the thrill of doing something dangerous, but ziplining is about as adventurous as I’m willing to go.”
“So, we still can’t talk you into sailing with us tomorrow?”
“I’d be happy to go sailing if you were on a nice safe lake. There are too many things that can’t be controlled if your boat flips over in the bay, like sharks and riptides.”
He threw his head back and laughed. “Katie, even your anxieties are well-thought-out.”
“That’s me. Organized phobias.” She shook her head. “It’s impressive how far Gary has managed to push me on this trip.”
A serious expression overtook his face. “About that… I’ve been waiting for a chance to talk to you alone. I’m worried about the two of you dating.”
She felt blood rushing to her face. So much for hoping Steven hadn’t noticed anything was going on between them.