Page 74 of Save Me
“Right. Well … the only thing on my brain is finding a fishing charter so I can convince a very rich oil CEO to sign on with Wolf Hotels.”
She holds up her hands in surrender. “Don’t let me keep you, then.”
“See you at dinner tonight.” I give her forearm a friendly squeeze and then take off to find Archie.
19.Sloane
“You’re coming with us to Siren’s Call tonight!” Beverly declares, earning a raucous cheer from the others.
I laugh as I steer us into the harbor, where Jeremy’s group is climbing the steps up. After four hours on the water and countless cans of margaritas, these ladies are burned by the sun and pickled by the booze. I’ve seen this episode before, and I doubt they’ll even make it to dinner, let alone out to the bar.
“Would love to, but I have plans, remember? I’m going to see Gigi tonight.” They’ve all heard about her, fascinated by the origin story of the Sea Witch Brews and Cruise.
“Who isthat?” Samantha pulls her sunglasses down, her eyes glued on the dock.
“Oh, that’s probably just Will, here to …” My words fade as I spot the lone figure standing on the dock with Jer. “That’s Ronan.” I also told them about him.
My heart rate ticks up.
The spunky woman lets out a low whistle. “Either I’m drunk, or that is one beautiful man you have there.”
I grin. “He is that.”And you’re drunk.
“Where? Jesus, I can’t see anything that far away.” Rhonda roots through her purse to fish out a pair of dark green-framed glasses that she slides on. “Oh, golly gee. Would ya look at that.” Rhonda has a two-year-old granddaughter at home and uses words likegolly geeandoh, shucksinstead of Beverly’s colorful array of fucks and shits.
The other ladies ohh and ahh as we get closer.
Meanwhile, my concern sparks. What is Ronan doing here?
On impulse, I fish out my phone to see that he messaged me.
Ronan:
I need to talk to you. I’m coming by the docks.
The excitement I felt a moment ago withers, replaced by panic as I stare at those words.
I need to talk to you.
About what? It sounds serious, which can only mean … Did Abbi break her promise?
Is the bottom about to fall out from under our whirlwind romance?
The women are buzzing with appreciation for Ronan as I edge into our mooring spot. There is no way he can’t hear their disorderly comments about his tailored pants and fitted golf tee.
All I can focus on is his face. Does that look like aman who just found out his fun-time girl is hiding a huge secret? I can’t tell. He’s his usual unreadable self, his mood impossible to gauge, especially when it’s partially hidden by those aviators.
The bumpers barely nudge the dock when Tabitha stumbles out, yelling, “Ahoy!”
With lightning-quick reflexes, Ronan dives for her arm to keep her from tripping and falling into the water on the other side. “You look like you had a good time.”
“Oh, Lord, that voice. It’s so raspy and deep.” Beverly drops her own voice a few octaves in a poor but comical attempt to match it, earning a round of unhinged laughter from them all.
“We heard all about you, and it sounds like Sloane’s having an even better time,” Tabitha purrs, a slur in her words as she gapes up at him.
Oh my God. “Don’t forget your things!” I manage as my cheeks burn.
If Connor were here, he’d be strutting like a peacock. But all they get from Ronan is a flicker of amusement across his face.
