Page 78 of Save Me
“I don’t know what he is.” The denial tastes off the second it leaves my tongue.
“Here.”Skye holds out a bottle of Sapporo, waving it in the air to and fro, waiting for me to collect.
“I’m good, thanks.”
“Really?” She peers down at the full beer in my grasp, now warm. “You nursing tonight?”
Not tonight, but soon enough, potentially. I’m always good for a couple at the end of a long day, so I figured the best cover was to hold a prop. I probably should be dumping periodically.
“Pass that over.” Jeremy claps his hands and then deftly catches the fresh beer midair with a “gracias” and a wink for me before jumping back into conversation with the guys on the other side of the fire. Rolland just finished proudly announcing that he carried five beach chairs at one time, earning a round of jesting about his pipe cleaner arms. Every staff member’s here, even Lara, and everyone seems to be getting along well, the long, hot days bringing them together quickly.
It reminds me of old times.
While everyone’s busy teasing Rolland, I stealthily pour a gulp’s worth into the sand.
“Another long day.” Frank drops into his customary folding chair next to me.
I jump. “Don’t sneak up!”
He makes a point of looking down at his mammoth body, as if the very idea is preposterous, before shooting me a doubtful look. “Get your ears checked.”
“It’s not my ears. The ground normally trembles upon your approach.”
He tosses his water bottle cap at my forehead.
Did Frank see me dumping my beer? Probably not. It’s dark. “There’s baked ziti and Caesar salad inside. I left the dressing on the side so it didn’t go limp.” Frank is a notoriously late eater.
“I’ll grab it in a bit. You see Mick’s report?”
“Yep. Already pulled their deposit and put in a replacement order.” People don’t read the fine print, especially the part where Sea Witch stipulates charging for damages when people return beach equipment in pieces.
“How’s Gigi?”
“Great. She won a hundred bucks playing blackjack with Hank and Larry.” Two horny old men who are constantly fighting over her, oblivious to the fact that she’ll never give either of them a shot.
“Probably fleeced them both.” Frank chuckles through a gulp of water. “I’ll bet she loved hearing about dinner last night.”
“Did she ever. Her favorite part was how Ronan punched Henry.” The gasp and ensuing cackle was priceless.
“And Wolf still hasn’t fired him for that.”
“Not as of 4:00 p.m. today, but maybe tonight? I don’t know, but selfishly, it’d be nice if he did because then I wouldn’t have to find a third captain.”
Frank grunts, and I brace myself for a lecture. Does he disapprove of Ronan working at Sea Witch like Jeremy hinted at earlier? Given my last foray into “dating the help,” I wouldn’t be surprised. “Tell him to park on the other side of your Cherokee tonight. I almost couldn’t get out this morning.”
“Who says Ronan’s coming over tonight?”
I get a flat look in response. “Oh, I’m sure he’ll be coming.”
I snort.And so will I. “Bailey’s going out with me tomorrow, and if all goes well, I’m opening up bookings forTiki Three. Hopefully, we can fill up the days. I’ll keep going out as long as I have to, but maybe we’ll get another hire soon.” The longer the season stretches on, the less that’s likely, given contracts end in October.
I’ll be, what—I quickly do the math—five months along by then? Is that right? Definitely showing.
“One down, one to go.” Frank raises his water bottle in our customary nightly cheers, and I absently tap the neck of my beer bottle against it, my mind churning through reality. I need to make a decision, but I know which way I’m leaning.
“Does he know yet?” Frank asks, cutting into my thoughts.
“Huh?”
