Sail Away by Jen Talty

4

Reid stood at the edge of the dock and stared at the lights flickering on the back of the sailboat. Little fish darted back and forth in the water. Darcie had taken him out on a catamaran once, and at first, he’d thought, what on earth does this feisty little chick know about handling a vessel at sea.

Boy, had she put him in his place.

While he was by no means an expert sailor—actually, he knew almost nothing—because of the nature of his need for all things extreme, he’d been on the high seas a time or two.

However, spending a day with Darcie on the open water had opened his eyes, his mind, his soul, and his heart.

It took a fair amount of pizzazz to impress Reid, and Darcie had done it in spades.

“Stalking me?” Her sweet voice rolled through his ears and slid down his throat, coating his stomach with the most decadent flavor. Who knew sound could be so tasty?

“Not you, the boat. I saw you get off here, and with the name and all, I assumed she was yours.”

“That’s a lot of dangerous surmising for a man who likes facts and nothing but the facts.”

“I’m also a man who likes to live on the edge, so this is me being wild and out of control.” He shrugged his shoulders and leaned against the post. The last time he’d seen her had been a random meeting in New Orleans that hadn’t gone well at all.

At least, what he remembered of it. Honestly, it had been an encounter he’d prefer to forget.

She laughed. “I bought her a few months ago. When I’m not on a charter, I live on her.”

“I was surprised to see you, and even more shocked you’re running charters out of Seattle and not some exotic port. It’s not like you to be in a mundane city such as this one.”

“I wanted to be close to home for a bit.” She waggled her index finger under his nose. “And don’t you go knocking my hometown, or I’ll start picking on your Southern drawl, Mr. Texas.”

“You always loved when I got all cowboy on you and did the two-step.” He looped his fingers into his belt buckle and did a little kick with his feet.

She laughed, shaking her head.

He couldn’t help but wonder if she was lying about wanting to be close to home, or if the family had put the pressure on. While she was tight with her siblings, she struggled with being overwhelmed by anyone encroaching on her space.

Something he could relate to.

When he’d last seen her, she’d been in New Orleans with her brother, visiting an old friend.

It looked more like a pity vacation, and she’d looked like shit.

Not that he’d looked any better. He had gone to Bourbon Street with one thing in mind: to get shitfaced every night and try to forget that Darcie ever existed. He’d thought he’d been hallucinating when she rounded the corner. He’d actually poked her in the center of the chest to see if she was real.

Jag hadn’t liked that.

Her friend, Justin, liked it even less.

Reid rubbed his jaw. “The last time I saw you, I said some things I shouldn’t have.”

“I’m surprised you even remember that day.”

“A lot of it’s still fuzzy, and that is both embarrassing and sucky as well as a bit of a saving grace at times.” He let out a sarcastic chuckle. “But I owe you, your brother, and his friend a huge apology.”

“Yeah. You do,” she said. “And for more than just being a jerk in New Orleans. Your list of transgressions is long.”

“I guess I walked into that one,” he said, running a hand through his hair. “We both made mistakes in our relationship.”

“Some of us made more than others.”

“Wow. You’re just not letting go of any of it, are you?” He tossed his hands to his sides, slapping his thighs.

“Sorry. You’re the last person I expected to see. You kind of ruined my plans this week with this charter.”

“What plans? Did you have a hot date? Are you seeing someone? In a long-term, committed relationship?”

“Wow. And what if I am?”

“Are you?” he asked.

“No. But I did have plans.”

“Doing what, exactly? Because isn’t being on charter what you live for?” He groaned. “Sorry. Old habits die hard.”

“I guess they do,” she said. “I’m taking the written portion of my captain’s test next week. I wanted to use this time to study. You ruined that for me,” she said.

“I’m shocked you haven’t already taken it. You wanted to be a captain by now when we were together.”

“Another thing you fucked up for me.”

“How am I responsible for you not taking your test?”

“You’re not.” She huffed. “Other than it took me a little while to get my head on straight after we broke up.”

“I can relate to that,” he said. “I’m sure you’ll ace it. You’ll make a great captain.” He desperately wanted to pull her into his arms, hold her close to his chest, and kiss her sweet, tender lips. Letting her go had been the dumbest thing he’d ever done.

No. Telling her to leave her career had been.

“You didn’t have that much faith in me when we were a couple.” She wrapped one arm around her middle and brought her thumb to her mouth. She swayed back and forth.

That always drove him mad with desire. “Yes, I did.”

“Really? Because near the end of our relationship, I seem to remember you telling me that my job was a waste of time and energy.”

“I didn’t mean it.”

“Then you shouldn’t have said it.”

“I just didn’t want you gone all the time. It’s not easy to have a relationship with a woman whose job has her in exotic places with hot, sexy bodies surrounding her all the time. I’m generally not the type to get jealous, but you seemed more interested in your career than me, and it started to get to me.”

“Now wait one second.” She poked his biceps. “You told me you didn’t think I was cut out to be a yachtie.”

“No. I said you were in the business for the wrong reasons and that needed to stop. I said you needed to quit trying to prove you were good enough, and to either do it or get out.” He held up his hand. This was not what he’d come here for, and he needed to go into tomorrow on basically the same page as Darcie. “I wanted to apologize, and I did. But I need to talk to you about something else. Can we go somewhere?”

“I don’t know. I’m tired. I’m a little tipsy, as you can tell since I’m quick to temper. Can it wait until tomorrow?”

“No. It can’t.” He took her by the forearm and led her onto her boat. He’d spent the last few hours contemplating if he wanted to tell her anything. By doing so, he was really putting her in an awkward situation, and that was really unfair and an asshole move on his part. Apologizing to her didn’t make up for it either. “I’m sorry, and you know I don’t believe in this kind of crap, but maybe things do happen for a reason.” He was all alone and had no one to turn to at this point. If he didn’t shut Preston down, Reid ran the risk of losing it all. He didn’t believe Preston was just going behind Reid’s back with a new product.

No.

Reid couldn’t help but wonder if Preston was making a run for the company. It shouldn’t surpise Reid. Hell, it was something Reid had thought about doing to Preston a few years ago.

Only, Reid wouldn’t be so underhanded about it.

The only question was how and when. And Reid needed a few days to figure out exactly what the fuck Preston was up to.

Darcie was an opportunity that had landed in his lap. No one could fault him for what he was about to do. Not in the long run.

“If you’re going to say that you chartering the vessel I work on is a good thing, I’m going to absolutely disagree. You broke my heart. You called me a selfish bitch and humiliated me in front of the people I work with. And by the way”—she leaned closer and poked his chest—“you should know that Captain Jim is commanding the yacht. And up until about a month ago, I was sleeping with him.”

“You and Jim? You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” He rubbed where her finger had bruised his body. She always found the most sensitive spots and then managed to get him with the sharpest side of her nail.

“I’m dead serious. But he’s supposed to be getting engaged tonight to someone who used to be my friend.” She patted Reid’s arm. “I have shit taste in men who like to do horrible things to me.”

“Come on, you should have known Jim would cheat. He’s never been faithful to anyone, which is why I’m shocked he’s getting married. Is she holding a gun to his head?”

“No. He really loves her,” Darcie said, letting out a long breath. “Or so he says.”

“I’m sorry about what Jim did. And I’ve said I’m sorry about what I did.” He let out a puff of air. “I’m not helping my case here, but you broke my heart too. So don’t go playing innocent in our breakup. I’m taking a lot of the blame because I did put the final nail in our coffin. But you enjoyed tossing dirt on it.”

“That was poetic,” she mumbled. “I sure know how to pick the assholes.”

“Hey, I never cheated on you,” he said. “Got anything to drink around this place?” He made himself comfortable on the aft deck, which was quite roomy. “This is what, a fifty-footer?”

“It is, and I’m really tired, Reid. If we keep going, it appears we’ve both had just enough to drink to piss each other off, so can we just call it a night?”

He rubbed his temples. She knew how to push all his buttons, the good ones and the bad ones simultaneously.

“Reid. I accept your apology, and I make my own for tonight. My family was in rare form with the razzing, and my dad mentioned you, and he doesn’t even know you’re here. I’m just dealing with a lot.”

“You read too much into what your parents say about your career. You always have.”

“It gets hard when everyone around says the same thing.”

“I’m going to run the risk of having you toss a shoe at me, but that’s not true. The people in yachting that give you shit are either idiots who think they are motivating you, or are afraid of you. Your folks just see the same thing I do.”

“I’m not lost. I’m not running. I’m not hiding.”

“Maybe not. However, you refuse to take a good look at what really makes you happy.” He tilted his head and stared at the stars. There were so many things he wanted to say now that he had a clear head and a year to think about what was important. “I’m really sorry. The things I said that day in the Bahamas was totally uncalled for. I was hurt and angry. I was trying to do something nice for my girlfriend, and I felt completely unappreciated.”

She turned, showing off her profile. Her pink tongue darted out of her mouth and stretched across her lips like a paintbrush leaving a glitter trail.

“When you were walking away with Preston, I kept hoping you’d turn around. But you didn’t.”

“We didn’t speak to each other again until New Orleans,” he said. “One beer. Let me talk to you for as long as it takes me to finish a single can.” He tilted his head. “Please?”

“Fine. But when it’s gone, you’re gone.” She disappeared into the galley.

He peeked inside the cabin. The fine teak wood was accented with high-end dark-brown vinyl upholstery. She certainly had good taste, that was for damn sure. He could only imagine what this thing cost her, and it was probably killing her financially to maintain it between the marina fees and whatever else went into living on a boat. “Do you really like being here? Isn’t it kind of small? Or creepy late at night.”

“It’s never creepy on the water. And small? No. Not when it’s just me. And I love to go out and sail. I’ve gone all the way up to Alaska, down to Mexico, and I wouldn’t mind taking some other trips.” She handed him a beer while she nursed a bottle of water. She sat next to him, tucking her feet up under her cute little ass. Her hair caught in the gentle breeze, blowing it over her shoulders. The moonlight threaded through the natural blond highlights, making her hair glow.

The massive wheel stood proudly in the center of the back deck. He could envision her standing behind it with one hand covering her eyes as the sails grew tight with the wind and the boat hugged the water.

When they first met, her age had bothered him. She’d been so young and had yet to experience even half of what life had to offer. Only he’d been wrong about what she understood about life. And what the hell was in a number anyway? Twelve years wasn’t that big of a deal at this point in their lives.

“This sailboat fits you,” he said.

“Thanks.” She held his gaze for a long moment. She could still take his breath away with her powder-blue eyes. She had long, thick lashes, and when she blinked, he bit down on his lower lip in anticipation of when they’d flutter open again, showing off those intoxicating orbs. “What have you been up to for the last year?”

“Work, mostly.” He could have been honest and told her that he’d spent the first six months of it drunk and unaware of anything. That he’d become a useless human being because he’d let her walk out of his life.

And she didn’t come back and fight for him.

After that, as his brain slowly came out of its fog, he’d found out that his friend and business partner had been doing his best to make sure Reid would get nothing of their company. In reality, Reid had only put it all together in the last few weeks, and Reid wasn’t even sure he’d uncovered half of it.

Which terrified him.

He knew Preston could be ruthless. They always joked that they were the perfect team because Reid always knew when to pull back and keep Preston from becoming his own worst enemy.

Reid, though a sports extremist, didn’t take certain types of risks, and that’s where Preston came in. He was willing to go into the shark-infested deep end with both feet and his eyes closed while doused in blood.

But somewhere along the way, Preston had gone all lone wolf.

“I heard you were on that television show where inventors go and ask rich people for money. Kind of funny when you’re independently wealthy.”

“Not rich enough to do everything I want.” Reid laughed. “I didn’t go on the show because I wanted to. It was all part of the movie contract, which is all Preston’s baby. I would have rather said no. I’m still bitter about it. And I’m not supposed to say anything, but they turned us down.”

“Is that good or bad?”

“It doesn’t really matter. Preston got his deal with the production company. He gets to move forward with my product and design when I’m not even sure it’s ready.”

“So, Preston still manages to manipulate you to get his way, I see.”

“It’s a balancing act. You know that. I toss him a bone, and I get what really matters.”

“Right. You’re a crusader trying to make sure people don’t get hurt while using faulty equipment in search of some ridiculous thrill, all in the name of a dead woman.”

“I was a safety nut before Erin died. You know that.” Reid had never really pushed back too hard when Erin came up in conversations. He let Darcie think he used her death to protect his heart. It wasn’t entirely a lie. “Her death just pushed me into taking our idea that was only in the beginning stages in a whole new direction.”

“One that Preston didn’t like.”

“He liked it and still does; he just doesn’t want it to be the focal point because it doesn’t bring in the highest revenue.”

“I don’t think you came here to talk to me about this shit.”

“Nope.” Reid took a sip, swirling the bubbles of the beer around in his mouth. He couldn’t tell her everything or even half of what he suspected. But he needed to get into some files without Preston knowing, and that required some help. “I need a huge favor.” Reid hadn’t given this a ton of thought, and he wasn’t sure it would work at all, but it was his best bet, given the time constraints and the fact that Preston might be three sheets to the wind for the next three days.

“I told you, my brother—”

He shook his head and held up his hand. “I don’t give a fuck about that bungee jump. I’m really not into that shit anymore.” He chuckled. “Well, I am, but not like I used to be. However, I’m really not concerned with whether or not we get to do that night free fall.”

“Then what do you need my help with?” The wind kicked up and took a stray strand of hair, flicking it across her face.

He reached out and tucked it behind an ear. “I need the internet to go down on the boat, but not really.”

“Excuse me?”

“I need Preston and the rest of the team blocked from using the Wi-Fi for at least one day. Or I need a secondary Wi-Fi set up where I’m the only one who has access to it. I can help you set it up.”

“Why?”

“I need to cut off communication between Preston and the company.”

“He will still have cell reception.”

“That’s not going to matter for what I need to do,” Reid said. “We’ll do it during the kayak trip to the rapids. I’ll pretend to be so drunk that I can’t go. We both know I can get so shitfaced I’m utterly useless.”

“I won’t argue that point.’

“Can you help me with this?” Another swig. He closed one eye, peering into the can. About half full.

That sucked. Not only did he enjoy Darcie’s company, but the idea of going back to his hotel room made him want to vomit. When he’d been with Darcie, some of their best nights had been spent sleeping under the stars on a boat somewhere in the middle of a body of water.

Any body of water would do where she was concerned.

“Which would you prefer? No Wi-Fi for your buddies? Or your own login? Either way, I’m going to need some help on the boat to make that happen,” she said, twirling her hair between her fingers—something she did when she was relaxed.

Much better than making her nervous.

“I mean, just unplugging the router and taking the cord won’t work because they will have more. It’s all on our checklist.”

“That will also cut me off from the Wi-Fi,” he said, rubbing his temple with his free hand. “All you need to do is show me were the routers are, and I’ll take care of it.” He could handle hacking into the boat’s system. What he couldn’t handle was accessing the secondary server without Preston finding out—or so he thought. But he’d continue racking his brain until he figured it out.

“I’m confused on what you want me to do,” she said, tilting her head. “What are you trying to accomplish?”

“I need Preston and my team off the internet while I do some research.”

“About what?”

“I can’t give you all the details.”

“You want me to help you, but you’re going to keep me in the dark? It doesn’t work that way.”

“It’s for your own protection,” he said.

“What can you tell me?” she asked, bringing her water bottle to her plump, pink, kissable lips. “I can’t just do you a solid without having some intel.”

“I think one of the men on my team is stealing from the company. And before I bring it to Preston, I want to make sure I have all the facts.”

“You expect me to believe that?” She leaned forward, putting both elbows on her knees. “And I still don’t understand the internet thing.”

“I need you to trust me. If I go digging into certain things, Preston will get an email and a text that I’m poking around in employee files, and he’ll wonder why. And I don’t have a very good poker face when it comes to this shit. I don’t want the vibe on the boat to be anything but the team getting drunk and having a good time, outside of the work that Preston and I will make them do. Because you know, we don’t ever stop.” Fuck. He hated lying to Darcie. Not just because she despised dishonest people, but also because he loathed doing the one thing she’d begged him never to do. Ever, no matter what.

Not that she’d ever forgive him for being the biggest dickhead on the planet. Darcie was a reasonable woman, but she didn’t tolerate old-fashioned misogynistic bullshit like her boyfriend telling her that being a yacht captain was a man’s career. To this day, he cringed every time he thought about the words he’d used when he tried to beg her to reconsider her choices so they could be together.

Of course, looking back, he realized that he hadn’t done much in the way of offering to change his lifestyle for her, something he should have put some thought into.

But what was done was done. And right now, he needed to focus on his company.

When that was done, he could work on getting Darcie back in his life. Because he was still head over heels in love with her.

There was no doubt about that. She still tickled his fancy, pushed all the right buttons, and if there were ever the perfect adrenaline rush, it would be called The Darcie.

“I just need access to your router. That’s all.”

“It’s not going to be easy because the router is housed in the cockpit, and Captain Jim doesn’t like guests up there unless he’s there to supervise.”

“Please tell me you were kidding when you said you fucked around with Captain Jim.”

“I could tell you that but it would be a lie.”

Cold goosebumps dotted his skin. “Jesus. Seriously? You and Jim? I’m just not picturing it. You used to warn the female deckhands and all the stews to stay away from all-hands Captain Jim. I mean, he’s not a horrible human being, but as a man, he kind of falls short.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter. I wasn’t joking when I said he’s in love with someone else and is getting engaged tonight.”

“Ouch.”

“Not really,” she said. “I didn’t love him. I’m just mad that, once again, I’m the last to know that my boyfriend just isn’t that into me.”

Reid narrowed his eyes. “Was that a jab at me? Because I’ll have you know, I was all sorts of into you when we were together. The only reason we broke up was because I wanted a girlfriend who wasn’t gone more than two hundred days out of the year.”

“That’s not exactly how you put it.”

“If I had used those words, would we still be together?”

She shook her head. “The moment you asked me to choose between you and my dreams and everything that I’d been working toward, that was the moment you lost me.”

“If it makes you feel any better, I know I was wrong.”

“It doesn’t,” she said. “But that’s all in the past. We’ve both moved forward.”

Maybe she had, but he was still stuck in a land of fantasy where she would forgive him and welcome him back with open arms.

And he’d focus on that. Just as soon as he got rid of fucking Preston, something he should have done years ago.

Reid swallowed his heartburn. His life hadn’t turned out quite as he’d planned. “I’m sorry I hurt you. I really am.”

“Apology accepted.”

He polished off the last of his beer. “I guess I better be going.” He stood, placing the empty can in the recycling bin. “Thanks for the time and for your help. I owe you.”

“I’m sure someday I’ll think of a way you can repay me.” She closed the gap between them and rested her hands on his shoulders. “Good night, Reid.”

“Good night, Darcie,” he said, pressing his lips to her cheek. He let them linger on her hot skin longer than appropriate, and she didn’t stop him from taking her into his arms and heaving her body to his chest. “I don’t want to leave.”

“Then don’t.”

* * *

Holy. Fucking. Shit.

Darcie shoved her tongue deep into Reid’s mouth, touching every crevice. She found every spicy hot spot, making him moan as he grabbed her ass, squeezing tightly, leaving deep impressions.

Gripping his shoulders, she meant to push him away, only a major dose of insanity took over her brain and she tugged him into the galley.

She’d lost her fucking mind, but she didn’t fucking care.

The boat swayed gently as the water lapped against the fiberglass. The lines rattled the mast, and somewhere in the distance, a woman laughed and music hummed.

The inside of her boat consisted of a tiny kitchen that encroached into her living room, and a small bedroom with a surprisingly comfortable queen-size bed. She’d broken the bank with this purchase, but it had been her dream for so long. Sailing had always been a passion. The sea was in her blood. It calmed her and gave her a sense of freedom.

The water gave her courage and strength.

She was at her happiest when the ocean tickled at least one of her senses. The only other time in her life that she’d had that kind of security was when Reid had been in her bed.

She jerked her head back.

He blinked. His thick tongue darted out of his mouth, making a broad stroke across his tantalizing lips.

She heaved in a deep breath. Her lungs burned as she tried to form words. “What are we doing?”

“Probably making a big mistake.” He fiddled with a strand of her hair. “But you know me. I don’t like to leave things unfinished once I start them.”

“I’ve had a little too much to drink.”

“Do I need to be worried that I could be taking advantage of you?”

She smiled. “No. I’m definitely in control of all my faculties, and I’m definitely going to regret this in the morning.” She took a step back, her butt hitting the small table. She fiddled with the buttons on her blouse, unhooking the top two.

He pressed his hands against the counter at her hips, easing himself between her legs. “As much as I want you right now”—he gripped her wrist—“I’m not going to stay.”

She groaned, dropping her head to his shoulder. “I lied. I’m regretting throwing myself at you now. No need to wait till morning.”

“It would have been worse if one of us didn’t come to our senses.” He continued running his hands lovingly up and down her back.

She sighed.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“In one night, I get rejected by one ex and find out another is going to propose to a woman who I was planning to teach how to sail when this charter season was over. I actually made a female friend in yachting, only to find her on top of Jim’s dick.”

“Figuratively, right?”

“No. I literally walked in on them. It was ugly. I made a scene.”

“Wait. Don’t tell me this was during a charter?” He kissed the center of her chest before buttoning her shirt. Resting his hands on her hips, he rubbed gently. He could be really sweet in the oddest moments.

But when she’d needed his support the most, he’d acted like a spoiled, selfish child.

“We had a couple of days off. She’d left the bar early, saying she didn’t feel well. I was worried, so I went back to the boat to check on her and see Jim. I never thought they were fucking. She was actually the only one who knew about me and Jim. I felt like a total idiot, and I was also a little drunk and lost my shit. I’m lucky I didn’t get fired.”

“Jim’s lucky he’s still a captain.”

“It was a hot mess. And truth be told, we all could have been told to take a hike. But Kim quit that morning, and whatever she said to the powers that be saved all our asses. Though there are times I wish I had tossed them under the bus.”

Reid shook his head and pursed his lips. It was the same look he’d given her when she did something he disapproved of, and it made her want to smack the back side of his head.

“What?” she asked.

“Did you threaten to have her fired?”

“No. Just him. And trust me, I’ve contemplated doing it, but I’d end up losing my rank as boson, so it’s just not worth it.” She fingered the hair hugging the back of Reid’s neck. It should feel weird to be so comfortable in his arms. It was like that perfect wetsuit that molded to your body and no one else’s.

She waffled on the verge of a raging river filled with an angry current, wanting to continue lashing out at him so he knew just how much he’d hurt her… and a flowery meadow with a slight breeze, bringing the scents of summer to her nose.

There certainly was a fine line between love and hate.

“I’m sorry he cheated on you. That sucks, and you deserve better.”

“I do.” She wiped away some of her lip gloss that had managed to make its way to his cheek. “Do you have a girlfriend? Is that why you’re refusing me?” The one thing Reid could always be called was honorable. He’d never cheat. Not in a million years.

“No girlfriend. And trust me, I’m not rejecting you.” He cupped her face. “Maybe when the charter’s over, we can go get a bite to eat? Talk? See where we are?”

“Are you still living in Houston?”

He chuckled. “Actually, this city cowboy moved out to Galveston Island. And get this. I live on the water.”

“I’m shocked. Do you take the time to sit still and enjoy it?”

He kissed her nose. “I’ve even read a book.” He took a step back and stuffed his hands into his pockets. “I better leave before I get into my fuck itand go for it attitude, which I told myself I wouldn’t toss to the wind until I was forty. And I haven’t hit that mark yet.”

“You’re not that far off, old man.”

“Thanks for the reminder.” He winked. “I really appreciate your help, and please don’t say anything to Preston. You know how he gets.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve got your back…” The last word hung in the air. A thick lump grew in her throat. There was a time when the only person who really understood her, the one who would be there for her at the snap of a finger, had been Reid.

He used to tell her all the time that no matter where in the world she traveled, he’d always have her back.

“I’m glad we had this time to chat,” he said. “I’ll see myself out.”

“Good night, Reid.” She watched as he made his way onto the dock and strolled down toward the marina.

He glanced over his shoulder five times.

She knew that for a fact because she counted.

The sex had always been good. Great. The best she’d ever had. And he’d told her that making love to her had been the ultimate extreme experience for him. It had been the most hysterical and yet most romantic moment of her life.

She closed the door, locked it, and ditched her clothes for a pair of boxers and a tank top. When it came to the Wi-Fi situation, she had two choices. Either ask Jim to help her, or Kirk or Craig.

It had to be Jim. He wouldn’t like it, because he didn’t like Reid much, but Jim owed her. And based on Reid’s plea for help, it was the least she could do for an old friend.

She pulled up Justin’s contact information.

Darcie: If you’re up, give me a call. If not, call me first thing. Thanks.

A second later, her phone vibrated. She snagged her water bottle and flopped onto her bed as she answered the call. “That was quick.”

“Anything for my favorite fill-in babysitter. How goes the yachtie life?”

“It’s going,” she said. “How’s Casey?”

“She’s doing great, and so is Lilia. Now, what’s wrong, kiddo? Because you don’t go texting me late in the evening for no reason.”

“I can’t check in with an old friend?”

“No. You can’t. And before I forget, I’m actually in Seattle.”

“What? When did you get here?” She rolled to her side and fiddled with her penguin pillow.

The one Reid had won for her at a stupid carnival on their very first official date.

“I just got off a plane two hours ago. And before you ask, I flew solo. I’m here for a cop thing.”

“I just saw my brother. He didn’t tell me you were coming.”

“I was sent to the conference last minute. The person who was supposed to go got sick, and I offered. Casey and Lilia will come for the weekend.”

“Sweet. I have Sunday off. I’ll take you all out on my sailboat,” Darcie said.

“It’s a date. Now, what’s got your panties in a wad?”

“If someone wanted to bungee jump off a bridge, what would they have to do?”

“Just do it before anyone finds out and hope to God no one gets hurt. But that would be a moronic thing to do.”

“I’m talking about a professional stunt person or a sports extremist. Whose palm would they have to grease in this city to make that happen off a bridge or tower where a recreational thrill company isn’t offering jumps to regular people?”

“They need something similar to a special use or a production permit that filming companies apply for. Those are given out by the town and county, depending on the details. It usually takes a while to get one. Why are you asking? And please don’t tell me it has anything to do with the asshole I smacked in the chin.”

“You shouldn’t have hit him. He was drunk. And you, Jag, and Albert were all being assholes.”

“So was your ex-boyfriend. And for the record, he started it.”

“No. Jag started it when he got in Reid’s face and called him a douchebag for breaking up with me. And Reid felt the need to tell Jag why it was a mutual breakup.”

“It went a little deeper and harsher than that, and you know it.”

Darcie snuggled up to the porthole and watched the waterline gently bobble against the glass. The sounds of the lines rattling against the mast and the seagulls crying above gave her peace of mind.

But she still had a restless soul.

Both her older brothers could be overwhelmingly protective at times. As a little girl, she couldn’t wait for Jag to get the hell out of the house. He was the worst, always checking out her boyfriends and doing background checks on the people she hung out with.

He was worse than her parents most of the time.

“Why do you want to help Reid out with this, and why is he in Seattle?”

“I just found out he’s my charter tomorrow. He had no idea. It’s a celebration with his business partner. So it’s my job to help make this happen if I can.”

“Well, if he’s going for Deception Pass, it won’t happen. Sorry, kiddo. I can make a call if you want me to, but the chances are slim to none.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it.”

“No problem,” Justin said. “I want you to know I wasn’t proud of myself the day I clocked Reid. But you’re family, and I won’t tolerate anyone hurting those I care about.”

“You’re simply the best.” She pulled the sheet over her body and settled in, holding on to the pillow. It would be weird being around Reid for three days and two nights.

But it might be good, too.

The second she closed her eyes, an image of Reid in a pair of shorts, flip-flops, and no shirt appeared in her mind. Even though they’d never be a couple again, she could let go of the anger she’d burned into her heart. She had to make this a turning point in her life.