Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 123435 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 617(@200wpm)___ 494(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123435 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 617(@200wpm)___ 494(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
Unbeknownst to Cassie, I took Saturday off. I’m planning to take her out on the water for the day. Anchor at my favorite cove. Spend the night …
My heart beats faster, and my palms suddenly feel slick around the steering wheel. Jeez. You’d think I was the virgin here.
At the Jackson house, I start prepping dinner. I throw a couple baked potatoes in the oven, then pop outside to turn on the barbecue. I’m doing shrimp skewers on the grill tonight. It’s too bad Cassie’s out with Joy. Would’ve been nice to cook dinner for her.
I falter, wondering where that thought came from. Cook dinner for her? I’m pretty sure I’ve never made dinner for a woman other than my mother. I force myself not to overthink it, though.
While the barbecue’s heating up, I head to the dock to ensure the boats are secure because it’s still so windy out. Then I walk back up to the house, reaching it just as Cassie’s mother appears around the side of their house. She’s clad in a long summer dress with sunglasses atop her head.
“Hi.” I lift my hand in a wave. Honestly, I’m surprised it’s taken this long for our paths to cross. It’s been days since she arrived in town, but it seems she spends most of her time inside the house. Or shopping in Charleston, according to Cassie.
She startles at the sight of me. Eyes widening.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” I call out. “I’m Tate. I’m housesitting for the Jacksons. And I’m friends with your daughter.”
Cassie’s mom still hasn’t spoken. Just keeps staring at me. I note the resemblance between her and Cassie, in their wide-set brown eyes and red hair, but while Cassie has a rounder face, her mother’s is narrower, giving off a different vibe. Colder. Or maybe that’s her personality.
She shakes herself out of her surprise and offers a smile far warmer than I expect. “Oh hello. I’m sorry. I was in my head. I’m Victoria.” She stretches out an arm. “You can call me Tori.”
I stride forward to shake her hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“How long are you housesitting for?” Tori asks, her appreciative gaze still fixed on me.
Yeah. She’s totally checking me out. Which is awkward as fuck, considering I’m hooking up with her daughter. “Gil and Shirley return Labor Day weekend, so I still have another month here.”
“Lucky you.”
“Yeah, it’s not a bad gig,” I admit. “It’s my fourth summer doing it. I look forward to it every year now.”
The Jacksons don’t pay me much while I’m here—I’m responsible for my own food, gas, all the usual expenses—but I don’t do it for the money. It’s worth it to get out of my parents’ house for a couple months. Living at home at the age of twenty-three cramps my style sometimes, but at the moment it’s convenient, allowing me to save more money. Save up enough and eventually I can finance a boat that I’ll probably call home.
“Anyway, I’ve got dinner going, so I need to check on it. Have a good evening, Mrs. Tanner.”
“Tori,” she corrects.
“Tori,” I repeat clumsily.
She smiles. “It was nice to meet you, Tate. Don’t be a stranger.”
Inside, I find a missed call from Gil Jackson. Frowning, I quickly do the math, then realize it’s not a cause for concern. With the time difference, he’s sixteen hours ahead of me, making it 9 A.M. in Auckland.
I check on the baked potatoes, then return Gil’s call.
“Hey, Gil,” I say after he picks up. “Sorry I missed your call. I was outside chatting with the neighbor.”
“Oh, how is Lydia?”
“She’s good. But I was talking to her daughter. Tori?”
“You mean Victoria Tanner?” he asks in amusement.
“She said to call her Tori.”
His laughter, a deep baritone, sounds in my ear. “Oh boy. I think someone has a crush on you,” Gil jokes.
“No,” I groan. “Don’t even kid about that. Anyway, what’s up? Everything okay?”
“Everything’s great here. I wanted to check in and see how things are going on your end, discuss a couple matters. We haven’t touched base in a few days.”
“All good here too,” I assure him. “I was just down at the dock securing the boats. The wind was really gusting on the bay today, and it’s supposed to storm tonight.”
“Thank you. Have you taken the Lightning out yet?”
My dick actually twitches. “What? Oh. No. I haven’t even touched her.”
“Are you crazy? Take her out for a ride!”
“Are you sure?” I gulp. “I mean, she’s super expensive.” Alarmingly expensive. The idea of anything happening to her makes me nauseous.
“Tate. Son. You can handle a boat better than anyone I know. Take her out. Enjoy yourself. I promise you, it’s a thrill like nothing you’ve ever experienced.”
I don’t doubt it.
“In fact,” he says, “your sailing expertise is the other reason I called.”