Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 72059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
“Shut the hell up,” Sail said as he handed Tidal the bags in his hands. He turned, winked at Galvin, and took the boxes from her. She tried not to blush but was fairly certain her cheeks reddened.
Sail motioned for her to walk ahead of him, but she paused at the doorway. “It’s okay,” he whispered. “You know everyone but my mom, and she’s as sweet as pie.”
“But she’s your mom.”
Instead of answering her, Sail kissed the exposed part of her neck. “Please go in,” he said quietly into her ear.
With a deep inhale, she stepped over the threshold—the point of no return—and waited for Sail to direct her where to go.
“Where’s Sail?” a female voice rang out.
“Right here, Mom.” He walked into the kitchen, with Galvin a couple of steps behind him. She stood by the refrigerator and bit her lower lip. “Mom, this Galvin.” Sail reached for her hand and tugged her forward. Without taking his eyes off her, he said, “Galvin, this is my mom, Pearl.”
Galvin extended her hand, but Pearl wanted none of that and pulled her into her arms. The hug was tight, warm, and loving. She found herself hugging Pearl back with the same amount of affection.
When they parted, Pearl cupped Galvin’s face. “You look just like her.”
“Who?”
“Your mother.”
“You knew my mom?” Try as she might, there was no way she could push away the threatening tears. Her eyes welled up instantly.
Pearl smiled. “I met her years ago, back when Jack and your father were in college. She was the sweetest. My biggest regret will always be losing touch with her. But now, you’re here, and one of us.”
“Great, that means I’m out,” Sail said, breaking the emotional vibe hovering over everyone. Galvin turned to him and smiled.
“Did you know?”
He shook his head. “I had no idea. I was just told to bring you home, and I’m a good boy and do what I’m told.”
Tidal and Pearl busted out laughing, with Pearl heaving and bending over at her waist.
“Oh boy, that was the best thing I’ve heard all day,” Pearl said, much to Sail’s displeasure.
“Why are we all laughing?” Jack came into the kitchen. He greeted Galvin, patted two of his sons on their shoulders, and asked if Galvin had met Crew yet.
“Yes, we met at the diner.”
“Oh, honey. Sail told Galvin he’s a good boy and does what he’s told.”
Hearing it come from Pearl was even funnier, especially when Jack started laughing.
Sail rolled his eyes. “All right, I’m going to take Galvin on a tour.”
He linked his hand with hers and all but yanked her out of the house.
“I’m sorry your mom teased you,” she said as they went down the stairs.
“It’s fine. I knew they would.” They started walking toward the back of the property. The sound of the ocean sang, and the scent of sea salt air settled over them.
“I wish it wasn’t so dark,” Sail said as they reached the rock wall. “This place is magical.”
“Hearing the ocean like this is so calming.”
“It is,” he agreed. “Come on, we’ll go down there.” He directed her to the lit staircase. Sail went first, with her one step behind him.
The bottom step led to a small sandy beach, with a dock not far away. “It’s enough for a couple of people. Mostly, my mom comes down here to wait for us when we’ve gone to get their boat, or she’ll come down here to read.”
“Does she ever go to the beach you took me too on our tour?”
Sail nodded. “Or my dad will motor her to Nantucket for the day.”
“Wow. Can you sail there?”
“Of course, but not in the type of sailboat I’ll compete in.” Sail bumped his shoulder with hers. “Wanna sail to Nantucket?”
She shook her head. “But maybe around Seaport?”
“That’s probably for the best until you get your sea legs. Yacking over the side of a boat isn’t fun.”
“Puking in general isn’t fun.”
“Nope, but when you’re in the water, fish think you’re feeding them.”
“Yeah, okay, I’m never going on a boat.”
Sail laughed and pulled her into his arms. He cupped her cheek and kissed her lightly. “Are we moving too fast?”
Galvin wrapped her arms around his waist and started swaying, almost in tune with the ebb and flow of the waves.
“Part of me wants to say yes. We barely know each other, but in the same vein, I feel like I’ve known you for many months. I tried to fight this thing between us, but we feel natural.”
“I just want you to be sure.”
Galvin studied his features. “How are you so mature?”
Sail shrugged and shook his head. “In September, I wasn’t. I was hungover, still drunk and had no idea where I was supposed to be. And then, I got suspended. Facing my dad with that news was the scariest thing in my life. But before I could tell him, I met you and figured you were my second chance at getting my life right before I really fucked it up.”