“This is delicious,” she said.
“Thank you.”
She took a sip of her beer and motioned to the boat. “Are you going out again tomorrow?”
“I don’t think so. Tomorrow I’ll probably go riding.”
“Horseback riding?”
He shook his head. “Motorcycle. When I was in college, I bought a beat-up 1983 Honda Shadow with the goal of restoring it and turning it around for a quick profit. Let’s just say it wasn’t quick, and I doubt I’ll ever make a profit. But I can say I did all the work myself.”
“That must be rewarding.”
“Pointless is probably a better word. It’s not very practical, since it has a tendency to break down and genuine parts are almost impossible to find. But isn’t that the price of owning a classic?”
The beer was going down easy, and she took another drink. “I have no idea. I don’t even change my own oil.”
“Have you ever gone riding?”
“No. Too dangerous.”
“Danger depends more on the rider and the conditions than the bike.”
“But yours breaks down.”
“True. But I like to live life on the edge.”
“I’ve noticed that about your personality.”
“Is that good or bad?”
“Neither. But it’s definitely unpredictable. Especially when I try to reconcile it with the fact that you’re a veterinarian. It’s such a stable-sounding profession. When I think of veterinarians, I automatically think family man, complete with an apron-wearing wife and kids visiting the orthodontist.”
“In other words, boring. Like the most exciting thing I should do is golf.”
She thought of Kevin. “There are worse things.”
“Just to let you know, I am a family man.” Travis shrugged. “Except for the family part.”
“That’s kind of a prerequisite, don’t you think?”
“I think that being a family man is more about having the proper worldview than the actual condition of having a family.”
“Nice try.” She squinted at him, feeling the effects of the beer. “I’m not sure I could ever imagine you being married. Somehow, it just doesn’t seem to fit you. You seem more like the dating lots of women, perpetual bachelor kind of guy.”
“You’re not the first person to say that to me. In fact, if I didn’t know better, I’d say you spent too much time listening to my friends today.”
“They were very flattering.”
“That’s why I take them on the boat.”
“And Stephanie?”
“She’s an enigma. But she’s also my sister, so what can I do? Like I said, I’m a family-oriented guy.”
“Why do I get the feeling you’re trying to impress me?”
“Maybe I am. Tell me about your boyfriend. Is he a family man, too?”
“None of your business,” she said.
“Okay, don’t tell me. At least not yet. Tell me about growing up in Savannah instead.”
“I already told you about my family. What else is there to tell?”
“Tell me anything.”
She hesitated. “It was hot in the summer. Very hot. And humid, too.”
“Are you always this vague?”
“I think a little mystery keeps things interesting.”
“Does your boyfriend think that, too?”
“My boyfriend knows me.”
“Is he tall?”
“What does that matter?”
“It doesn’t. I’m just making conversation.”
“Then let’s talk about something else.”
“All right. Have you ever been surfing?”
“Nope.”
“Scuba diving?”
“Nope.”
“Bummer.”
“Why? Because I don’t know what I’m missing?”
“No,” he said. “Because now that my friends are married with children, I need to find someone who’s up for things like that on a regular basis.”
“As far as I can tell, you seem to find ways to keep yourself entertained. You’re wakeboarding or Jet Skiing as soon as you get off work.”
“There’s more to life than just those two things. Like parasailing.”
She laughed and he joined in, and she realized she liked the sound of it.
“I have a question about vet school,” she said apropos of nothing, but no longer caring about the direction of their conversation. It felt good just to relax, to bask in the pleasure of Travis’s company. It made her feel at ease. “I know it’s dumb, but I’ve always wondered how much anatomy you had to study. As in, how many different kinds of animals?”
“Just the major ones,” he said. “Cow, horse, pig, dog, cat, and chicken.”
“And you had to know pretty much everything about each one?”
“As far as anatomy goes, yes.”
She considered that. “Wow. I thought it was hard just doing people.”
“Yeah, but remember: Most people won’t sue me if their chicken dies. Your responsibility is much greater, especially since you’re dealing with kids.” He paused. “And I’ll bet you’re great with them.”
“Why would you say that?”
“You have an aura of kindness and patience.”
“Uh-huh. I think you got too much sun today.”
“Probably,” he said. He motioned to her bottle as he stood. “Want another?”
She hadn’t even realized she’d finished. “I’d better not.”
“I won’t tell anyone.”
“That’s not the point. I don’t want to give you the wrong impression about me.”
“I doubt that’s possible.”
“I don’t think my boyfriend would appreciate it.”
“Then it’s a good thing he’s not here, isn’t it? Besides, we’re just getting to know each other. What harm is there in that?”
“Fine.” She sighed. “Last one, though.”
He brought two more over and opened hers. As soon as she took a drink and felt the corresponding buzz as it went down, she heard a voice inside her whisper, You shouldn’t be doing this.
“You’d like him,” she said, trying to reestablish some boundaries between them. “He’s a great guy.”
“I’m sure he is.”
“And yes, to answer your earlier question, he’s tall.”
“I thought you didn’t want to talk about him.”
“I don’t. I just want you to know I love him.”
“Love is a wonderful thing. It makes life worthwhile. I love being in love.”
“Spoken like a man with plenty of experience. But keep in mind that true love lasts forever.”
“Poets would say that true love always ends in tragedy.”
“And you’re a poet?”
“No. I’m just telling you what they say. I’m not saying I agree. Like you, I’m more of a happy-ending romantic. My parents have been married forever, and that’s what I want to have one day, too.”
Gabby couldn’t help thinking that he was very good at this sort of flirty banter—and then reminded herself that it was because he’d had a lot of practice. Still, she had to admit there was something flattering about his attention, even if she knew Kevin wouldn’t approve.
“Did you know that I almost bought your house?” he asked.
She shook her head, surprised.
“It was for sale at the same time this one was. I liked the floor plan better than this one, but this one already had the deck and the boathouse and a lift. It was a tough choice.”
“And now you’ve even got a hot tub.”
“You like that?” He cocked an eyebrow. “We could get in later, once the sun goes down.”
“I don’t have my suit.”
“Bathing suits are optional, of course.”
She rolled her eyes, pointedly ignoring the shiver that had gone through her. “I don’t think so.”
He stretched, looking pleased with himself. “How about just our feet,
then.”