Page 11 of Voyage with Dad's Best Friend
After mooring, I take Elle and Martha to the yacht club to dine. Elle and I each order a burger and Martha orders a salad saying she’s still full from lunch.
After dinner, we wait with Martha for her ride. When the car arrives, she hugs me and asks, “Are you sure you don’t want to stay a night with me in my friend’s house?”
I pull myself away quickly. “Thanks but I promised Elle’s dad I would bring her home within two days.”
“You could just call and explain.” She doesn’t give up. “I’m sure Elle doesn’t mind either. She can play with my friend’s puppy.”
I turn to look at Elle, who’s taking pictures of the harbor in sunset with her cell phone steps away. She’s wearing a thin summer dress that shows her long legs. The sea breeze lifts the hem of her skirt and I can see a bit of her cute bum. No, she isn’t a little girl who’d be satisfied playing with a puppy. I’m sure she’d rather play with me. Shit. Is that what I’m planning to? I’m horrified by the thought. Maybe we should stay in Martha’s house, that would prevent any of my ignoble attempts… but then there is still a whole day ahead of us. What would I do about that? I can’t run away from her for long.
“Nah,” I say to Martha. “Thanks though.”
She’s still going to insist, but someone taps the horn and gets our attention. Her ride’s blocking their way. “Oh well. Next time, then,” Martha says before hurrying into the car.
“Are you and Martha friends?” Elle asks as we’re heading back to my boat.
I consider. “Well, I guess so. We’ve known each other for a while.”
“Friends… with benefits?” she asks in a small voice.
I whip my head around to look at her. “Jesus, Elle. You’re quite knowledgeable about relationships, aren’t you?”
“Not really,” she says. “So yes, or no? Are you two ….?”
“No! God, no,” I say. “She’s my employee.”
She looks pleased by my answer, but she continues, “But she’s so beautiful. Don’t you like her?”
I decide to tease her, and maybe it will prevent her from tempting me as well. “Well, I do. She’s an attractive woman. She used to be a model when she was young.”
Jealousy masks her face right away and she pouts. “So, why did you refuse to go to her house and spend the night with her?”
Her reaction turns me on, although I regret hurting her. I hold back my urge to tell her I’m only teasing her. “Eavesdropping,” I chide her instead, without answering her question.
Shortly after we leave the dock, it’s night. I dim the lights to conserve power. Even though it’s a short sail, I don’t want to take my chances.
“Why aren’t you reading your book?” I ask Elle, who’s been sitting on the sofa in the saloon sulking since the moment we left the harbor.
“Don’t feel like it,” she says without looking at me.
“You can watch TV.”
She doesn’t answer me. I know she’s still upset at my remark on Martha. I stifle a chuckle. She’s adorable when she’s jealous.
“Do you want to go out to the deck and watch the stars?” I ask. “The sky is beautiful.”
She looks tempted. “Sure.”
As soon as we’re out on the deck, she’s cheerful again. “Wow! This is so beautiful! Even the water is brilliant.”
She’s right. The sea reflects the stars and is shimmering with silver light.
I lie down next to her on the trampoline and I point to the constellations to her. “Look. There is the Draco, a constellation that can be seen all year from northern latitudes.”
“Wow, awesome.” Elle stares at the sky, smiling.
I’m glad to see her smile again, and I go on to share my knowledge with her. “In Greek mythology, Draco was a dragon who guarded the golden apples of Hesperides, or Daughters of the Evening…”
Elle listens quietly as I ramble on.
