“Yes, Avery. Don’t panic. Are you okay?” My aunt was a lot like my father—calm through the stormiest seas—but I knew her well enough to know that if she was telling me not to panic, then I had good reason to do the opposite.
“I’m fine. Why aren’t I panicking?” I held my breath, not wanting to make a sound so she wouldn’t have to repeat herself.
“We’re at the hospital. It’s your dad.”
I stumbled backward, almost dropping the receiver. “What happened?”
Hayden
What was taking her so long? I stuffed my hands into my pockets as I paced the main deck.
“Skylar,” I called just as she was heading back through the sliding doors after silently collecting my empty glass from beside my lounger.
She turned, a huge smile on her face. “Can I get you another? Or a snack, maybe?”
She was probably shocked I’d even spoken to her. Avery had done her best to be the only member of her team I had anything to do with, which was exactly what I’d wanted. Maybe I’d asked too much of her.
“Do you have a pair of binoculars?” I wanted to see if they were on their way back. Perhaps the tender had engine trouble and Eric was trying to fix it.
“Certainly. I’ll just get them for you.”
I scanned the shoreline, trying to see where the tender had docked, but it was just too far away. I wanted my documents and the fact I couldn’t just open my email and have them appear was driving me nuts. This was my future that was taking so long to arrive.
“Here you are,” Skylar said as she returned and placed two pairs of binoculars on the side table, one larger than the other. “They focus automatically, but let me know if you need any help.”
“Thank you. And actually, you could get me a glass of water, please.”
Her grin grew wide as if I’d just promoted her. Maybe I had. Avery was working around the clock. Perhaps it was time I let Skylar take some of the burden. Avery waiting on me didn’t seem right after last night.
I took out the binoculars, focused on the marina and caught sight of the tender with Eric at the helm. I jerked the binoculars up and Avery Walker filled the frame. She was wearing her yacht uniform, her bronzed legs shown off by her mid-thigh khaki skirt, her hair in a ponytail and large sunglasses that made her look like a movie star. Eric reached out to help Avery onto the boat. As they touched, a shot of jealousy seared through me. Did he have a crush on her? Of course he had a crush on her. The woman was a goddess—elegant, poised, wise and kind—not to mention the most beautiful woman I’d ever laid eyes on. Had they kissed? Had he held her like I had last night?
She’d disappeared after our kiss like Cinderella fleeing before the clock struck midnight. I was so used to being in control with the women I was with, I couldn’t recall a time when I’d felt abandoned. Maybe it was because Avery and I hadn’t fucked, because neither of us had gotten release, but I knew it was more than that. I got the distinct impression I’d never be able to get enough of Avery Walker. She was equal parts tough and vulnerable. Loyal and trusting, hardworking and driven. I couldn’t remember admiring someone as much as I did her.
Avery sat at the front of the tender, facing me and away from Eric. Ridiculously, a sense of satisfaction circled in my gut. Was she looking for me like I was looking for her?
She pushed her sunglasses to the top of her head and covered her face with her hands. Was she shielding herself from the wind? No, it was as if she were crying. Surely not. I lowered the binoculars, trying to think of reasons she might be upset. Had someone seen us on the yacht and disciplined her? She’d said that guests were strictly off-limits for crew. Had something happened while she’d been ashore? Had she been mugged? No, I’d seen her bring her tote back on the boat.
I picked up the binoculars. She wiped under her eyes with the back of her hands, then slipped her glasses back on. She took a deep breath, smiled and then turned back to face Eric. She’d thought she was having a private moment. And I’d intruded on that when I had no right to. I’d been spying on her, invading her privacy, but now I had to know what was wrong. I was constantly asking too much of Avery. Had she felt pressured last night into kissing me? Was she upset because of what she’d done or was it something else entirely? I set the binoculars down.
“Shall I just set this on the table for you?” Skylar asked as she appeared with my glass of tap water on a tray.