Page 30 of In Your Dreams, Holden Rhodes

“I’m Captain Rina and I’ll be cruising us around the coast on this beautiful Saturday afternoon.” Captain Rina walked us through the safety procedures, where to find the life jackets, and what to do if someone falls overboard.

I gestured for Holden to bend down so I could whisper in his ear. “If Blow-Up Belinda fell overboard, she’d float.”

The side of his mouth kicked up.

I shrugged. “Just saying. Everybody has different skills. Consider it.”

Fifteen minutes later, we had drinks in our hands and the boat disembarked from the marina. I inhaled again as the breeze blew past us.

Holden gave me a strange look. “You act like you’ve never been on a boat before.”

I tilted my head, thinking. “I haven’t been on a boat in years.” While sipping my drink, my gaze roamed the other guests, searching for women who were eyeing him up. “The woman in the green top, the woman in the jumpsuit, and the woman in yellow. Pick one and go talk to them.”

His forehead wrinkled and he did that chest-puffing-out-thing that men do when they’re insecure. He shoved a hand back through his hair. “And say what?”

“Holden, I promise if you go up to anyone on this boat, look into their eyes with those gorgeous lashes of yours, and sayhey,” I said the word in a low voice like his. “They’ll hand you their underwear.”

The side of his mouth twitched and I could tell my pep talk had done the trick.

He glanced at the woman in yellow shorts. The color was incredible against the deep tone of her skin. “That’s Liya,” he said. “She works with Hannah.”

“Great. You already know her. That’ll make things easier.”

The boat picked up speed and my stomach did a weird, uncomfortable roll. I gripped the railing.

He frowned. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” My hand came to my stomach and I took a deep breath. “Stop stalling. Ask her about books. Compliment her shorts. When in doubt, ask what she’s watching on TV or if she’s had any weird dreams lately. People love to talk about their dreams, even though it’s so boring.” I pushed his back. “Go.”

Holden took a deep breath before heading off to talk to Liya, and I turned to watch the marina as it grew further away. The boat hit a wave and I instinctively grabbed my stomach again as the boat bounced.

“Hey, Sadie from out of town,” Aiden said at my side.

“Hi, Aiden with the reality TV smile.”

He laughed. “What?”

“You have one of the most perfect smiles I’ve ever seen,” I told him. “Do you get everything for free?”

He laughed again, chest shaking. “No. I pay for everything except cheese, which I steal.”

A laugh bubbled out of me. “The prices are crazy. I don’t blame you.”

He leaned on the railing, his eyes on my face the entire time. “Where did you move from?”

Aiden and I talked about Toronto for a bit. His sister lived close to Willa.

The boat hit another wave and my gut lurched. “Ugh.”

“You okay?” Aiden’s hand was on my arm.

I nodded, sucking a breath into my lungs. “So good.” I nodded, staring at the water, but my attention was on my gurgling stomach. Oof.

“So, are you and Holden…” He let the half-sentence linger in the air while he raised his eyebrows.

I stared at him with a blank expression. “Are we what?” It clicked. “Oh.” I laughed. “No, it’s not like that. I’m just here for moral support.”

Aiden smiled. “Good.”

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