Page 77 of Meet Me in Tahiti

Marco nodded slowly and looked back at Russ.

“I’ll be straight with you. I’m disappointed. In five years, you’ve given us one of the cleanest records and the highest guest satisfaction we’ve ever seen. Some of the best written reviews we’ve had on file and online. You’ve trained new captains, covered short-staffed jobs, saved more than one charter season.”

Russ swallowed. “Thank you, sir.”

“This was a serious case of terrible judgment,” Marco said evenly. “And I can’t overlook it.”

Russ sat still, hands clasped between his knees, waiting.

“I’m grounding you for a month,” Marco continued. “And docking your pay for that period. After that, we want you to finish out the season. Six more charters through the end of August, as contracted.”

Russ blinked. Relief surged so fast it made him dizzy.

Marco pointed a finger at him. “But you so much as flirt with another guest between now and then, we’re done. And I mean done. No goodbyes, no handshake, no glowing letter of recommendation.”

Russ nodded quickly. “Understood. Completely.”

Marco exhaled, then finally sat down behind his desk.

“Look, I get it. People make mistakes. And you were man enough to own yours.”

Russ nodded again, jaw tight with gratitude. “Thank you. I won’t let you down.”

“Thanks for coming in, Malik,” Marco went on before Malik could answer, turning back to Russ. “Callen, you’ve got a good man on your side here. Don’t screw this up.”

Malik smiled. “Thank you, sir.”

When they stepped outside, the bright sunlight hit Russ square in the face. He pulled in a deep breath like he hadn’t been able to fill his lungs since yesterday afternoon.

They walked in silence toward the van, keys jangling in Malik’s hand. At the passenger side door, Russ stopped.

Malik turned to him. “You okay?”

Russ nodded once. “Yeah, I am. That went a lot better than I thought it would.”

Malik held out a hand to shake, but Russ pulled him into a quick hug instead. They slapped backs like guys who’d been through something together and didn’t need to say much more.

“Looks like I’ve got a month off,” Russ said when they pulled apart. “Guess I’ll have to find something to keep me busy.” He’d head home for a while, figure things out. The little hatchback he’d bought secondhand on the island four-and-a-half years ago was parked right here at the marina.

Malik smiled. “I doubt that’ll be a problem, boss?”

Russ chuckled, despite the sadness in his heart about Tessa. “You need a ride home?”

“Wouldn’t mind one.” Malik lived just a few miles from the docks.

“Come on, I’ll give you a ride.” He watched his buddy head around to the passenger side of his car, then looked out toward the horizon.

Russ had been shown mercy. He’d been given a clean slate. A second chance. Some time to figure it out before he made his next move. He’d take it.

The sun hunglow in the mid-July sky, casting an amber glow across the open water. TheLatitudeglided smoothly through the gentle waves, the wind perfect, the sea calm. Too calm, even.

Russ stood at the helm, one hand on the wheel, the other loosely at his side. This was his first charter back after the month-long grounding, and everything had gone off without a hitch. The boat was impeccably clean, the guests were delighted with the food and the service, and the weather had been dry, as usual, for this time of year.

His guests were on deck at the bow, enjoying the breeze as the boat cut through the water. This time, a group of recently retired business executives and their spouses, who were lounging and chatting, drinks in hand, while music played softly from a portable speaker. They’d requested a day playing golf on Moorea, and apparently, they’d enjoyed all eighteen holes.

Malik was back on Russ’ crew and hadn’t missed a beat. Jules had been assigned a different boat this run, but he was hoping to sail with her again before his contract ended.

Still, even with everything humming like clockwork, something was missing.

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