Page 52 of Uncharted

I wait until he’s done washing, then I take him through the toy hauler room to the back swim deck.

“It’s like a secret passageway.” Easton waits while I check the tender floating next to the boat. It’s good. We’ve got a few more hours before we need to worry about it scraping on the reef.

We head up the swim stairs to the back deck. Haley’s laying out plates; Captain and Dante are following behind her with silverware and napkins. She’s even found some shells and stuff to put in the middle of the table. It’s proper pretty, like they do for guests.

“There you are,” Captain says as soon as our feet hit the top step.

“It looks nice, Haley.” I kiss her cheek and watch the dash of pink zip up her neck to her face.

“Force of habit. It looked so naked without anything in the middle of the table.”

Dante laughs. “But we like naked, Sassy.”

I give the captain a sideways glance to see his reaction. He shakes his head and sits at the table, the napkin on his lap taking up all his attention.

Haley smiles at Dante. “I’ll be right back. I want to get us some drinks.” She stops at the entryway to the main salon. “It’s Italian—do we want red wine? Or should we wait until tonight?”

I close my eyes. A glass of wine would be amazing, but then we’ve got a lot of work to do. “Tonight’s my vote.”

“Okay. I’ll grab some waters and some other things.” Haley moves into the main salon.

“I’ll help you.” I chase after her.

“Thanks, Zane. There’s a lot still in the stew pantry. I think Sam took most of the water and sodas from the bar area.” She pulls open the door to the pantry. There are boxes on the floor, and some of the cabinets are open.

“Captain said he searched most of the boat, looking for batteries and emergency supplies,” I add.

“Yeah.” Her face drops. Haley likes order. I saw it all those months ago when she came on board, and then on the beach. The way she wove mats and has learned how to make baskets... Neat and tidy. “It’s nothing. I’ll have the boat looking great soon. I can fix it in between helping get the major systems up and running.”

“I know you can, Little Bird.”

She moves two boxes out of the way and pulls open the lower door. “Bingo.”

There are at least a dozen cases of water and boxes of American sodas. I pull out a tray and hold it down low for her while she makes a sampling, but there’s a lot to choose from. It looks like every type of soda ever invented. There’s so many there’s no way to take them all.

“What do you want?” Her neck twists, and she looks back at me.

“I don’t care. I’ve always been more of a water kind of guy, but then, it’s been a long time. A cola sounds good.”

“Got it.” She puts it on the tray, and I turn.

“Thank you, Zane.” I’m about to step out when she places her hand on my arm. “Are you okay?”

“Of course, right as rain, Little Bird.”

“Good. I...“ She looks away.

“This is a lot. It’s not something I ever thought I would be into. Like, ever. And I’m not going to lie to you and say that if I could have you all for myself that I wouldn’t. When we get back to the mainland, I’m in it with you. Whatever happens with the other guys, that’s... it doesn’t matter. I’m here.” I smile at her, and I lean over the tray and kiss her on the lips. I push the tray to the counter and pull her against me. I brush her hair out of her face and deepen the kiss. Another second, and I won’t be able to walk out of here. Her hand eases under my crew shirt. It’s clean, but I’ve been scrubbing in the sun for the last few hours. I want to tell her I love her. But in a closet isn’t the place; when our lunch is hot on the table isn’t the time.

“Zane.” She blinks up at me. “I’m glad... I think I was more worried about you than anyone else.”

“I’m not going to break, Little Bird. I’m tough.”

“I know you are.”

There’s a slap on the outside of the pantry door. Easton’s here, his arms resting on top of the doorway. “I thought it was taking a long time, Firefly.” He leans in around Haley and takes the tray. His chin scrapes along her neck as he does. “Carry on. I’ve got the service for you.” He flicks his eyes back to me, and then he’s gone.

“I’m not going to lie, that asshole is growing on me.”

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