Seventeen
Avery
Everything was on its ass. Last night I’d kissed Hayden Wolf, which I absolutely should not have done. And this morning when I’d gone ashore after breakfast, I couldn’t get hold of my dad. I was five seconds away from freaking out.
So far this charter I’d managed to get ashore at least every other day to call my dad. Today was important. Michael got a physical therapy report every month from his therapist and it was due yesterday. The report set out Michael’s progress and was required by the insurer, but it also lifted all our spirits. Despite Michael’s accident being so long ago, the fact that he was still making progress gave us all the drive to move forward and especially Michael. It kept his goal of walking again at the forefront of his mind. Michael had just started his additional therapy, which my forty percent pay raise was paying for, and even though it was unrealistic I was hoping it would have already made a difference and the report would reflect that.
“Avery, Avery, this is Neill. Mr. Wolf is looking for you.” My radio rang out from my waist and I sighed. Hayden still insisted on dealing with just me. August and Skylar weren’t complaining, and usually neither was I, but right then I wanted to focus on finding an excuse to go back on shore so I could call home again.
I hooked my hair into a ponytail and straightened my skirt, checking my reflection in the floor-length mirror on the back of the door. “This is Avery. I’ll be right there,” I said into my radio and I headed to the galley. Last night I’d forced myself back to my room. This morning I could still feel the press of Hayden’s thumbs over my hips, still feel his teeth against my neck, and I wondered how long the memories might last, how long I could keep remembering our kiss. I wanted to etch it into my brain as the most perfect one I’d ever had.
I’d tried to avoid his eyes as I served him breakfast this morning, and he had seemed amused at my embarrassment. But he wasn’t the one who’d risked everything for a kiss. And although I was sure my guilt was scorched into my forehead, no one had said anything. And why would they? The only one who’d been onboard last night was Captain Moss, and if he’d seen anything, I’d have a plane ticket in my hand and my suitcase packed already. No one else knew.
“Where is he?” I asked Neill as I got to the kitchen.
“Pacing in the dining room.” He lifted his chin to the galley entrance. “This isn’t fair to you. August and Skylar are perfectly capable of being at his beck and call. It puts too much pressure on you.”
Why was Neill acting as if Hayden was being unreasonable? We’d had guests who were much more demanding. “I don’t mind,” I said, heading out.
“Just be careful. I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”
I paused in the doorway, my heartbeat shifting up a level, and turned around. “What?”
Neill shrugged. “He’s clearly got a thing for you.”
I frowned and hoped it covered my blush. “He does not. He’s just intense about his privacy.”
Neill stopped slicing whatever it was on his chopping board and fixed me with his stare. “Look at you,” he said, glancing at me from head to toe in the way only a gay man could get away with without being a sleazeball. “Of course he’s got a thing for you.”
I opened my mouth to speak, not quite knowing what to say, but before I could respond he continued.
“Look, you know I think you’re an amazing stewardess and a kick-ass tequila drinker. You also know I can pick up on chemistry a thousand miles off. It’s my superpower.”
Had I been flirting without knowing it? Had Neill picked up on the fact that me staying on board last night had something to do with Hayden? “I don’t know what you mean. Hayden has only wanted to deal with me since he came on board—”
“I also know you’re a terrible liar, so I’d prefer you didn’t say anything.” My stomach crashed to my knees. If Neill had picked up on something between us, then who else had? “Don’t let him take advantage.”
“As if,” I replied, trying to shrug off his comments as alarm bells began to ring in my ears.
“Hayden’s good looking and charming. I get it,” he continued. “But ask yourself if he’s worth losing your career for. Worth you not being able to help your family. You have a lot at stake, Avery, and I really want you to be happy. Just be careful.”
“I have to go.” I waved my hand in the air and spun to exit the galley before the weight pressing on my chest stopped me from breathing. I didn’t want to have this discussion with Neill. Hayden might be a paying guest, but he hadn’t pressured me to do anything I didn’t want to. He could read me—he’d known I wanted him.