11. Sail

sail

. . .

A s soon as Galvin left Sail in the diner, he took his phone out and texted his brother.

Can’t come in today

Dune

Why not?

Told the new girl I’d show her around town

Dune

Her name is Galvin. Learn it. Use it.

Yep.

Sail absolutely knew her name, but suspected his brother might see right through him if he added Galvin’s name to his text. He couldn’t recall the last time he and Dune chatted about women. Not in a damn long time. Even now with Dune and his girlfriend Caroline, he’s not saying much. Just, “you’re going to love her.” Sail had his reservations. He’d seen the type of women his brother hung out with.

Galvin was nothing like them.

Sail sat at the counter and pestered his cousin, Penny. Every time she walked behind the counter to do something, he asked for the most annoying things he could: more ice, new napkin, a clean fork, even though he hadn’t ordered anything.

“You’re pissing me off, Sail.”

“Good. I’m paying you back for all the hell you put me through as a child.”

“What are you talking about?” Penny leaned against the counter with a pot of coffee in her grasp.

“Like when I had to work here. You made me wash dishes.”

“You were fourteen and too young to cook.”

“I could’ve waited tables.”

Penny rolled her eyes and pushed away from the counter. Sail laughed. They had a good relationship as far as cousins went. She was the oldest of all the grandchildren and often got stuck being the babysitter to all the younger kids. It wasn’t until Sail was sixteen or seventeen when he thought Penny was cool. Mostly because she let him drink when no one was watching.

“What are you doing here anyway?” She set his breakfast, two eggs over easy, hashbrowns, sour dough toast, and apple smoked bacon, down in front of him.

“Taking Galvin on a tour.”

“Boy, don’t do anything stupid. I really like her. She’s a hard worker.”

Sail put his hands up, in stopping motion. “I won’t, Penny.”

“Do you like her?”

He nodded and then said, “Duh. I told Dune I’m not coming in today, which means he’ll likely tell Jack, which means I’ll get my ass handed to me when I get home for skipping work.”

“Uncle Jack would never raise his hand to you.”

“Metaphorically speaking. The deal I made with him is to work until he determines my debt is paid.”

Penny rested her elbows on the counter and took a piece of Sail’s bacon. “Your parents like her. A lot. Keep that in mind before your hormones kick in.”

Sail saluted her and then slapped her hand when she reached for his toast. “Make your own food.”

She scowled and went to help another customer. Sail was mid-bite when Galvin walked through the door between the diner and kitchen area. He couldn’t keep the smile off his face. He didn’t even bother to try.

Galvin looked nothing like the women he’d seen this morning or when she waited tables.

Her hair, which he was suddenly fascinated in, rested just below her shoulders, and curled in soft waves. Sail swallowed hard as she finger-combed a section behind her ear. How could something so common affect him? He spun on the stool, as if he was welcoming her into his arms. The idea made his heart skip a beat.

Galvin wore a loose sweatshirt, a pair of shorts, and what Sail would consider sensible walking shoes. She’d dressed appropriately without even asking him what she should wear.

Sail motioned for her to sit. “Breakfast?”

“Yes, although I almost ate my caramel apple. That was my plan until you offered to show me around.”

“Hey, sweetie. What can I get you?”

Galvin glanced at Sail, and then his plate. “What Sail ordered, except eggs over hard or fried. No yolk, please.”

“No yolk? It’s literally the best part of breakfast eggs!”

Galvin scrunched her nose. “It grosses me out.”

“Fair enough,” Sail said. There was no reason to argue over yolk or anything for that matter. He liked her and wanted to get to know her. Even if it meant they’d only be friends.

No, they should only be friends.

There was an awkward silence for a moment, neither knowing what to say next. This scared Sail. Conversation should be easy, especially when you want to spend time with someone.

“Do you think it’d be okay if I go behind the counter and get coffee?” She leaned toward Sail and kept her voice low.

“Of course, it is. Whether you’re working or not, you’re still an employee. Everyone is family here.”

Galvin excused herself. She poured herself some coffee and filled Sail’s mug.

“Thank you.” Once again, he found himself smiling over the littlest thing. How could something like her filling his mug make him feel giddy?

Galvin sat down and sipped her coffee. When she put her cup down, Sail saw an opening.

“What kind of law do you want to practice?”

She thought for a moment. “I’m not sure. I didn’t get into my top schools so big law is out. And I don’t want to be in debt the rest of my life so something that’ll make me money.”

Sail nodded. “A friend of mine in Miami, his mother does personal injury. She makes a ton of money.”

“I’ve heard that. It’s a possibility. I suppose it also depends on where I can get an internship.”

“Why’s that?”

Before she could answer, Penny put her food down in front of her and refilled her mug.

“I think that if you spend time with an attorney, learning, you’re likely to go into that type of practice.”

“Make sense.” Sail went back to eating. “I didn’t do any of my internships because it’s pretty much decided I’ll move back home and work the family business.”

“Really?”

Sail nodded and tried not to let his own words bother him.

“But what do you want to do?”

“I don’t know. I never actually thought about it because it seemed like a waste of time.”

“Okay,” she said. “But now, think about it. Pretend you don’t have to return to the family business. What does Sail Carter want to do?”

Sail gave it some thought. “I think I’d like to own a charter company. Sail people around the world. That sort of thing.”

“So not tours like Dune?”

He shook his head. “No, more like trips to South America or Europe.”

“Why not do it?”

He laughed a bit. “Oh, Jack is pretty insistent I come back. He wants to retire and with me getting a bachelor’s degree in business, I can take over for my parents.”

“Doesn’t Dune own the company?”

“No, we each own a percentage. Including Tidal and Crew.”

“Wow.”

“Yep, it’s a lot. My mom has a clam shack near the other beach I told you about this morning. We can go there for lunch if you want. Then we have the tour boats, this diner, and a few other irons in the fire.”

Sail looked at his plate and was surprised to find it empty. Same with Galvin’s. Somehow, they managed to talk and eat at the same time, and it wasn’t awkward. He asked her if she was finished. She nodded and he tossed down money for the check.

When they were outside, Galvin said, “I can’t believe you have to pay for food.”

Sail half laugh, half groaned as she directed her toward his car. “We have a lot of rules in the Carter house. My parents don’t want the people of Seaport to see us and think we’re spoiled or that we don’t have manners.”

To prove his point, he opened the car door for Galvin and waited for her to situate herself before shutting the door. And to show he wasn’t eager to spend the day with her, he casually strolled to the driver’s side. With his hand poised to open the door, he looked up and down the road. Mostly, he was curious if Dune had called their dad and tattled. Sail wouldn’t put it past Jack to investigate. When he didn’t see anyone from his family, he opened the car door and slid behind the steering wheel.

“Before I give you my tour,” Sail said as he started his car. “Is there something you want to see?”

“Not really.” Galvin angled her body slightly in his direction. Sail tried not to smile and when his lips continued to turn up, he ducked his head. This girl made him giddy.

“There are a few places I want to visit,” Galvin continued. “Like I want to tour the mansions. Go to the art gallery. And even the theater. I hear it’s haunted.”

Sail nodded. “It’s one of Seaports biggest attractions in October. A lot of people will go to Salem to do the Halloween thing, and then drive or take the train over.”

“They don’t come by boat or plane?”

Sail gave her a cautious gaze. He wasn’t sure what he should say. Seaport didn’t have an airport. At least, not a commercial one.

Galvin snorted and hid her face behind her hand. Sail reached over and gently pulled her hand away. He wanted to see her smile because she was even more beautiful when she crinkled her nose and squinted her eyes in excitement.

“I’m sorry.” She waved her free hand in air and worked to catch her breath. Sail continued to hold her wrist, slowly sliding his hand into hers. Galvin looked at their hands and didn’t pull away.

“What are you sorry for?”

She shook her head a little bit. “I was trying to be funny. You know you said drive or train over. I figured with Seaport being surrounded by water, and Salem being on the water, people would boat over.”

Makes sense.

“We could go there by boat. If you wanted.”

Another shake.

“Is it because you don’t know me yet?”

Galvin bit her lower lip.

“What’s the story?”

“Would you believe me if I said I’ve never been on a boat before?”

Sail’s cheek lifted in a half smile. “You’re from California. I guess I assumed somewhere near the water.”

Galvin adjusted in her seat. “More toward the mountains.”

“Are you afraid of the water?”

She shrugged.

He peered at their hands, still connected, and squeezed lightly. “I’d never let anything happen to you out there. None of us would. We’re all very skilled boatmen. Dune and me, along with our dad, we’re on the Seaport water rescue team. It’s our job to protect you when you’re out there.”

“Maybe,” she said with a smile. “But not today. Not yet.”

“Fair enough.” Sail reluctantly let go of her hand so he could put his car into drive. “Let’s tour.”

Their first stop was sure to cause a bit of panic in Galvin. Sail had seconds to convince her that what they were going to do was okay. Not safe, but just okay. He turned onto the massive bridge that connected Seaport to another island. When he reached the peak, he pressed his hazard button, put his car in park and unbuckled his and Galvin’s seatbelts.

“What are you doing?” she screeched.

“Do you trust me?”

Galvin’s mouth dropped open as her eyes scanned the area. Panic washed over her. Sail had to act quickly. He leaned over, brought his hand up to the back of her neck and pulled her to him until their lips touched.

The kiss was brief and while unsuspected, he was happy he’d done it.

Galvin blinked in confusion.

“Trust me.”

Sail took a quick look in the side mirror and saw cars going around them, which gave him time to get out. This time he ran to the passenger side, opened the door, and grabbed Galvin’s hand.

Thankfully, she didn’t resist.

They stepped up onto the small walkway, which no one used. Only Sail would be this reckless to show someone he was interested in just how amazing Seaport was.

Sail pressed Galvin up against the rail and guarded her with his body. He pointed.

“Whoa,” she said loud enough for him to hear.

“Yeah. Other than being in a plane, you don’t get this view. I wanted you to see what Seaport looks like from up here.”

“It’s gorgeous.”

So are you.

Galvin looked over her shoulder, giving Sail a knee bending smile. He shouldn’t have kissed her back in the car because now all he wanted to do was kiss her again. Galvin made it clear to him though, they’d be nothing more than friends. He had to respect her decision.

Besides, they were on different paths, and he’d be gone after Christmas.

“Thank you for showing me.”

Sail nodded. “You’re welcome. Come on, we have a lot of other amazing places to see.” He took her hand and led her back to the car. He took a deep breath, settled his thoughts, and rushed to the other side with a smile on his face. Whether he’d ever kiss her again, they’d kissed and that was enough . . . for the moment.