Page 6 of Unmoored

Shit. Way to play it cool, Eden.

Murph’s eyes twinkle with amusement. “Because it’s a rust bucket?”

“Because,” I tell him, lifting my chin, “I’m not prepared for guests. And it’s ass-o’clock in the morning, Murph.”

His lips curl in amusement. “Sorry,” he says, and he actually sounds sincere. “I can’t stay. Tide’s coming in.”

“After the tide, then?” I’m pretty sure there’s a couple of them per day. I didn’t really understand the tide tables the seller gave me. “I mean, I owe you.” I can’t resist batting my lashes.

I’ve almost forgotten how to flirt on purpose. God, I hope I’m doing it right.

Murph pauses, blushing again. “Uh. Y-You don’t,” he says. “Owe me, that is.”

I lick my lips with a nervous smile. “What if I still want to see you for coffee?”

Murph studies me for a moment, pausing for what must be the longest moment of my life. “Then… we could go for coffee. How’s tomorrow?”

“Yes!” I grin, pumping a fist before I flop against the railing, trying to arrange myself elegantly. “I mean, uh… I look forward to it.”

He digs around in his pocket and reaches up to hand over a business card. “You’ll need this.” As I take it, our fingertips brush.Fuck. A little electric zap shivers through my body as I curl my toes right into the deck.

The card has a little graphic of a boat from like 1995 or some shit,Sunrise Island Barge Service. “In case I need a tow?” I quip, and then I glance at the name. “Oh. Captain Murph. That’s you.”

“Mmhmm,” Murph grunts, gesturing awkwardly behind him to Sunrise Island. “There’s a good coffee shop.”

I grin. “Perfect. What’s it called? Is it on Google Maps?”

Murph blinks at me. “Trust me, you won’t get lost.”

“Don’t underestimate my disaster potential,” I tell him, playfully folding my arms.

Murph finally cracks a smile as he slips the rope free from the railing. “I knewthatbefore I met you.”

I snort. “Hey, wait. One more thing, Murph. Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it,” Murph grunts. “Harbour Patrol should have been on it.” He starts up the outboard motor on his boat, and then turns those piercing blue eyes to me again. “It was real nice to meet you, Eden,” he says over the engine.

My heart might just burst, it’s thudding so hard. “N-Nice to meet you, too,” I manage, raising a hand slowly as he steers the boat away.

It feels like there’s a bubble machine in my chest, and I’m all floaty, fizzy…intoxicated. I stumble into my cabin, collapse on the bed, and grab my pillow to hug it to my chest.

“Realnice,” I whisper, shaking my head slowly. The echo of his words makes butterflies tickle at my ribcage. It’s like I’ve forgotten the sleepless night as fast as that, and I just feel… light and bright and airy.

It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this way. Not even with George. I was just excited for whatever scraps of attention he gave me.

Murph, on the other hand? The fact that I’m a certified dumbass who’s never been on a boat might irritate him, but he genuinely seems interested in me too.

Maybe this isn’t going to be a complete disaster.

ChapterTwo

MURPH

That’s the last box.Good thing, because I’ve got ten minutes to spare. The barge hull is so flat that I don’t need much clearance, but low tide here doesn’t fuck around. If I ever get left high and dry, all the island gossip groups will know within minutes.

I jump down from the barge, landing firmly on the treacherous seaweed-covered slope. Then, I turn and grab the box, grunting as I take its weight.

What’s in here, bricks?

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