Page 56 of Meet Me in Tahiti

“Hey,” Walker said, nudging Russ’s shoulder with his own. “You spacing out over that beautiful woman on the dance floor or just pretending to listen to Malik?”

Russ was knocked from his daydream back into reality. His pulse doubled its speed as Walker turned to watch the dance floor with him—the groups, the couples, the women. Everyone laughing and talking and having a good time.

Russell sat up straight, tearing his gaze from Tessa. He cleared his throat and pretended to chuckle at Walker’s joke, then took another sip of his beer. Had he really been that obvious? He dragged his gaze from the dance floor, noting the look on Malik’s face, who’d apparently caught him staring at her, too. “Maybe a little of both,” he said to Walker, trying to play it off.

Walker laughed. “Quite a few of those pretty, young women on your boat this week, huh?” He elbowed Russ, grinning. “Saw you all coming in tonight. Bit distracting, I imagine?”

“Nah,” said Russ, still playing it down. They’re all here with boyfriends and husbands.”

No need to mention that this one was not. Or that she was currently taking up over ninety percent of his thoughts tonight, despite the fact that he’d been tryingveryhard not to think about her.

Walker nodded. “Ah, well that makes it easier.”

Captain Walker hadn’t really thought Russ was pining over someone on the dance floor, had he? Gawking, sure, let him think that if he wanted to, but not pining. Russ squared his shoulders and forced himself not to look Tessa’s way again.

Brooks leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, obviously bored with their banter. “Alright, Walker, before you go off on another tangent, we weresaying…” Brooks scratched behind an ear absently. “Contract talks are coming up again next month. You signing on again?”

Russ sat back a little and let out the breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. They’d moved on.

Whew.

And he knew this particular conversation well. It came up every season, like clockwork. “I haven’t decided yet,” he replied, his pulse slowing to a normal rate again. “You?”

Brooks grinned, eager, it seemed, to be asked. “Actually, I think I’m out. Got an offer in a Mediterranean Charter outfit based out of Greece—Santorini and the islands over there. Wife’s thrilled. Always wanted to spend a few years exploring that part of the world.”

“No kidding,” Russ said, smiling. “That’s amazing. Congrats.”

“Yeah,” Malik added. “Greece sounds like a nice place to be based.”

“Can’t wait,” said Brooks. “Thanks.”

Walker raised his bottle. “To new chapters, huh?”

They clinked their beers in a casual toast, the warmth of the tiki torch firelight flickering across their faces. Russ took another deep breath, grateful beyond words for the change of subject.

“You sticking around, Walker?” Malik asked, tipping his bottle to his lips.

Walker nodded. The man had been here much longer than Russ had. “One more year, at least. I’ve been around the world, boys, and I can tell you—this is the best lifestyle I’ve ever found for a sailor. Peaceful,steady work, warm water, blue skies.” He laughed and took a drink. “That’s all I need at this point. Wife likes it, too.”

Brooks turned to Russ. “So, what about you, Callen? What’s your plan for the coming year?”

Russ hesitated. “Honestly? Not sure. Been thinking about going back to the States. Florida, maybe. My sister and her husband have had two kids in the five years that I’ve been here, and I haven’t even met them yet.” He shook his head slowly. “I guess I’m starting to feel like it’s time to put down roots again, or at least try.” If only it were as easy as that.

“Makes sense,” Walker agreed.

Russ glanced down at the label on his beer. For a split second, he debated whether to share the rest—but what did he really have to lose?

“There was a job I was going for out there. Captain role with a small fleet that does short-term adventure charters down the coast. Sounded like a good fit, but I found out yesterday I didn’t get it.”

Walker let out a low whistle. “Aw, man. Sorry to hear that.”

“Thanks,” Russ said. “It was a long shot, I guess.”

“You win some, you lose some,” Walker said easily, the tone in his voice more reassuring than dismissive. “Greener pastures’ll be somewhere else, Callen. Just got to keep lookin’.”

Russ nodded. “Yeah.”

Florida, you said?” Walker’s eyebrows lifted. “That’s where I grew up. Tampa, actually. Still got some contacts in the business out there.”

---