Page 25 of Adrift

I squint, remembering Easton’s preference sheet. Then I follow the captain down the stairs to what I hope isn’t my dismissal.

“Anders, I need the bridge.”

Anders gets up off the floor and points to me. “You don’t want me to stay?” It’s protocol on most yachts to have two officers issue a correction.

“She’s not in trouble.” His tone is still gruff. “Close the door,” he says to his first officer.

Anders gives me a look of pity and questioning. And I have to say I wonder what the heck this is too.

Chapter 11

Batten Down the Hatches

Sam

I’ve officially lost my mind. Bringing the girl—woman—I keep thinking about to the bridge to talk to her alone. But I can’t help myself. Watching her look at the owner’s son like he was a piece of meat made me want to gouge the kid’s eyes out. His, not hers. And killing the owner’s son isn’t a way to get recommendations for another boat.

I’m holding my breath, and the air in my lungs burns to come out. “Have a seat,” I huff. I honestly have no idea what I’m going to say to her, because I’m crossing a line. She needs to do her job. And that is going to involve talking to the men. Even Rocky’s son, who, contrary to Rocky’s opinion, doesn’t walk on water.

Right. I turn to her. She’s keeping her eyes down, but then she looks up at me. I can’t tell if she’s upset, angry, or confused. And that’s worrisome to me. I decide to forgo mentioning my opinions on what happened on the sundeck. I stare at her. I can’t talk. Calming down first is my only option.

“Good news, isn’t it?” She breaks the silence, scooting back onto the large bench that takes up the whole back of the wheelhouse.

I have no idea how long I let the silence linger. But it’s still not enough time to let me cool off about the way he looked at her. I want to snap Easton Rockwell into a pile of driftwood. Which might take a bit of effort because this kid is built. But... “It is good news. The extra time will help both Calvin and Anders finish up the rest of the electrical. And it’s certainly good news for your department too.”

“Just getting those boxes out of our way is half the battle. Shayla is amazing. She’s working her ass off.”

“I’m glad to hear it. You’re both doing a great job.” I nod like I’m talking to a neighbor over a fence, not the girl I’m obsessing over. It’s not healthy, but I can’t stop.

“Where’s Penny?” She jumps up and peeks around the side of the captain’s chair.

“She’s in my cabin. She’s a good listener, but when someone lies on the floor, she wants to lie on them too. With Anders camped out under the control panel, she’s been a pest.”

A triple knock, Anders’ signature. Shit. I know Haley wants to talk about Brianna, and I want to talk to her about the playboy down on the sundeck. “Come in.”

“Hey Cap. Sorry, I wasn’t sure if you were done. We’re still trying to sort it out. I can come back.”

“No, it’s fine. We’ll move to my office.” My office, cabin, and bedroom are all the same thing. We walk the few steps down the corridor to my cabin, and I hold the door open for Haley. Her hair brushes my arm as she walks in. The lock clicks shut behind her.

Haley perks up. “These are nice captain’s quarters. I still haven’t seen every room on the yacht yet. It’s so not how I like to do things.” Penny jumps off her bed and runs to Haley. Penny’shead leans against Haley’s leg. “Well, hello there. It’s nice to see you too.”

“Lie down.” My tone is firm, and Haley’s cheeks seem to redden. But Penny trots off to the corner of the room between the bed and the wall. She flops to the ground, her head resting on her paws.

“She’s such a good girl.” Haley crosses the room to the porthole.

“I had them change the layout of the cabin when they were outfitting it. With Rocky’s permission, of course.”

She turns from the window and nods. “It works.”

“I’ve never liked having my bed in the corner of the room—it’s too hard to make it—but on rocky moorings, I like having the wall.” I’ve had my bed shoved into the alcove made for the desk. And my desk is anchored on the other side of the room. There was a huge horse painting labeled to go in my room, but I hung it in the main salon before we even left Singapore.

“The best of both worlds. And it gives Penny a little nest next to your bed. She must like that.”

“She does.”

Haley is the first crew member I’ve had come into my cabin for a chat. I imagined myself sitting behind my desk and the stew or deckhand sitting in the chair across from me, but I don’t want to put any distance between the two of us. The idea is crazy.

Penny has wandered over. She leans against Haley’s leg.

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