Page 92 of Rum Sips and Salty Lips

We make it to the gulf and I raise the sails. We’re headed to an island south of us with calm water and beautiful beaches. I’ve taken plenty of tours there and everyone has fun. Christian opens a cooler and passes out premade cocktails while Alex is below deck getting food ready.

“Did Haley make the snacks?” Beckett asks.

“No, Alex got it catered,” Christian says.

“Damn, I was really looking forward to her food.” Hamilton downs his beverage quickly. He looks exactly the way I expected him to—his clothes look like they came from a website called NewEnglandYachtStyle.com. It’s clear he thinks if he dresses the part, then the respect will immediately follow him. It’s all slightly wrong for Florida. Carina loves this place so much. I can’t see her ever happy with someone who tries so hard and gets it wrong.

I wish I could forget he was on this trip. Or that I don’t know who he is to Carina. Every time she mentions him in relation to her business, I feel like he’s giving her advice against what she genuinely believes in. And every time their relationship is mentioned, I wonder what she saw in him. But I know better than to state this to her.

“Why didn’t you get Haley to make the food?” Beckett asks when Alex appears.

I swear both Christian and Alex look at me like I have an answer to this. Since it’s my boat, it’s my responsibility to deal with the dumb shit coming out of their mouths.

“She’s busy with wedding planning and the bachelorette party,” Alex answers with a tilt of his head, like he barely understood the question.

“I can’t believe they’re clubbing in Miami.” Hamilton shakes his head. “You’re not worried about Sienna?”

Beckett shrugs. “We’re doing long-distance anyway right now.”

“Carina is on the trip, right?” Hamilton asks. “When do they get back? She better not hook up with anyone.”

I’m glad they aren’t paying attention to me as I stand at the helm because they would have seen me roll my eyes. Hamilton has no right to ask anything of Carina. I should get annoyed with him thinking he does. But this man isn’t worth being a thorn in my side.

“She is. Sunday night,” Alex answers. Beckett hasn’t been hands-on enough to know the details of their trip.

“Fuck, I’m leaving before then,” Hamilton says.

“I’m pretty sure Carina can hook up with anyone she wants since y’all broke up,” Alex says. “Years ago.”

I focus on the sails and the direction of the wind, thankful Alex has my back, even if he doesn’t realize it.

“We did. But I’m chartering a superyacht in February with a few friends. I’m inviting her along.” He says it like she should be thankful he thought of her.

I face the bow and watch the angle of the sails and the way the waves dance on the water’s surface, not just around the boat, but fifty yards ahead of us. I don’t want to hear this guy talk about how he’s planning to make a move on the woman I’m with. Or imagine how unpleasant he would be if he knew she wakes up in my arms every day. I’m not threatened by his invitation or any of the guys who might try to hook up with her in Miami. Only by the silence I’m forced to keep about our relationship.

“You really think she’ll go with you?” Alex asks.

“It’s a free trip for her on a superyacht. I won’t tell her the sleeping arrangement until it’s too late to back out.”

“She’ll go for it. If not for you, her dad will tell her it’s in the best interest of the company,” Beckett says.

“I know you’re involved somehow with her business,” Christian starts, “but she and I discuss business almost every day. I don’t think that will work with her.”

“Right, I forgot she’s mentoring you and your little distillery.”

Christian smiles. “You’re enjoying my little distillery, so watch it.”

Hamilton waves him off, but the flash of fear in his eyes tells me it’s bravado. “If I don’t get to talk to her soon, she’s my date at the wedding. It’s not like she can avoid me.”

I grip the helm hard.

“I thought Orion was her date to the wedding,” Alex says.

I can tell from the tone of his voice he would prefer me spending time with her. But I don’t comment. None of this is fair. We’re sitting around talking about Carina and she’s not here to contribute.

“Who the fuck is Orion?” Hamilton says.

We were introduced by first names when he stepped aboard, but fuck him. “It’s Captain Edwards when you’re on my boat. And yes, I’m Carina’s date to the wedding.”

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