Page 50 of Unmoored

Besides, this is my most important job of the day. Everyone on the island wants fresh milk, the postmaster needs the mail, and the newspaper kid needs the paper. And the other perk is free breakfast, courtesy of Berty at Sunrise’s all-in-one floating restaurant, bar, and ferry terminal.

Whether or not I take them up on it depends on who’s working. Berty’s husband Doug is a whiz in the kitchen. I don’t even bother ordering, I just let him improvise something delicious. And if it’s Kieran? Well… I stick with coffee and cross my fingers that he doesn’t burn that, too.

“Good morning, Sunrise,” I murmur, pulling aside the blinds as usual to peer through the trees. I can just about make out the barge in the faint glow of my dock’s emergency light.

I can’t wait for Eden to find out that I do this every morning. He’s never going to let me live it down.

Something else tugs at my thoughts as I get dressed and out of the house to trudge down the dock: a tiny burning frustration in the pit of my stomach that he’s nothere. I wish… I wish I could just roll over in bed and pull him into my arms.

Is that weird? I’ve never felt like this before. After a lifetime of doing things my own way, I don’t know why I suddenly find myself feeling less like myself when he’s not around.

There are two ways of getting to Nanaimo harbour: either around the southern tip of Sunrise Island and the lighthouse… or I go through the strait between Sunrise and Maple Island.

The tide is high enough. “Okay, old girl,” I murmur as I hop aboard my trusty barge. “Let’s get going.”

Then my phone chimes.

“Huh?” I twitch, glancing down at my pocket. It’s silly to hope that it’s Eden at this hour. Maybe it’s a problem with the delivery. I should just check, just in case?—

New voice note from Eden.

My heart soars. I can’t help the goofy grin, even though I have no idea why he’s up at this hour. My body jolts with that particular flavour of breathless excitement as I hit the play button, raising the phone to my ear.

“Hey, gorgeous. Don’t worry, there isn’t a crisis… yet. But it’s early, I’ve got time. I’ll make one, if I have to.”

“Please don’t,” I sigh under my breath, but I’m smiling.

“Anyway, can you help me find somewhere to store some of my art? Just on the off-chance you’re right about the hull disintegrating underneath me.”

I snort as the note finishes, immediately raising my phone. I press the record button and hold it down carefully. “Hey, Eden. So I’ve got a workshop down in the basement, but the other half is pretty much empty.”

Wait. It’s only just occurring to me now that he might want somewhere more… professional.

“Or, uh, I know all the self-storage places in town. And they know me. I can probably swing you a discount. But?—”

Oh, fuck. I can hear the words coming out of my own mouth, and it’s too late to stop them…

“—if you want to, you can use my basement.”

Maybe he won’t notice the euphemism. Or maybe he’ll like it. Do I want that? Would he want that? I don’t know… but if I keep thinking about it, I’ll be distracted all frigging day.

I let go of the button and groan, watching as his status changes back toonline, and the icon turns blue. Will he voice note me in return, or send a text?

My phone buzzes with an incoming call, and I grin as I pick up. “Hello, trouble.”

“Hi,” Eden giggles before his voice drops into a sultry purr. “Oh, Captain Murph, sir. I can’t resist a surprise invitation like that. I’dloveto get into your basement.”

Aaaand… I can give up on thinking about anything else today.

“Uh…” I lick my lips. “Not gonna lie, my basement’s always been pretty empty. But I’d try anything with you.”

“Ohhh—”

“Almostanything,” I correct myself before he can get any ideas. “Almost, Eden.”

“Damn it.” Eden laughs. “Anyway, what are you doing awake?”

“Heading out for the milk run. I’ll wave on my way by. What about you? Besides practicing your siren calls, Mr. Mermaid?”

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