Page 23 of Sail Away
“It’s going,” she said. “How’s Casey?”
“She’s doing great, and so is Lilia. Now, what’s wrong, kiddo? Because you don’t go texting me late in the evening for no reason.”
“I can’t check in with an old friend?”
“No. You can’t. And before I forget, I’m actually in Seattle.”
“What? When did you get here?” She rolled to her side and fiddled with her penguin pillow.
The one Reid had won for her at a stupid carnival on their very first official date.
“I just got off a plane two hours ago. And before you ask, I flew solo. I’m here for a cop thing.”
“I just saw my brother. He didn’t tell me you were coming.”
“I was sent to the conference last minute. The person who was supposed to go got sick, and I offered. Casey and Lilia will come for the weekend.”
“Sweet. I have Sunday off. I’ll take you all out on my sailboat,” Darcie said.
“It’s a date. Now, what’s got your panties in a wad?”
“If someone wanted to bungee jump off a bridge, what would they have to do?”
“Just do it before anyone finds out and hope to God no one gets hurt. But that would be a moronic thing to do.”
“I’m talking about a professional stunt person or a sports extremist. Whose palm would they have to grease in this city to make that happen off a bridge or tower where a recreational thrill company isn’t offering jumps to regular people?”
“They need something similar to a special use or a production permit that filming companies apply for. Those are given out by the town and county, depending on the details. It usually takes a while to get one. Why are you asking? And please don’t tell me it has anything to do with the asshole I smacked in the chin.”
“You shouldn’t have hit him. He was drunk. And you, Jag, and Albert were all being assholes.”
“So was your ex-boyfriend. And for the record, he started it.”
“No. Jag started it when he got in Reid’s face and called him a douchebag for breaking up with me. And Reid felt the need to tell Jag why it was a mutual breakup.”
“It went a little deeper and harsher than that, and you know it.”
Darcie snuggled up to the porthole and watched the waterline gently bobble against the glass. The sounds of the lines rattling against the mast and the seagulls crying above gave her peace of mind.
But she still had a restless soul.
Both her older brothers could be overwhelmingly protective at times. As a little girl, she couldn’t wait for Jag to get the hell out of the house. He was the worst, always checking out her boyfriends and doing background checks on the people she hung out with.
He was worse than her parents most of the time.
“Why do you want to help Reid out with this, and why is he in Seattle?”
“I just found out he’s my charter tomorrow. He had no idea. It’s a celebration with his business partner. So it’s my job to help make this happen if I can.”
“Well, if he’s going for Deception Pass, it won’t happen. Sorry, kiddo. I can make a call if you want me to, but the chances are slim to none.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.”
“No problem,” Justin said. “I want you to know I wasn’t proud of myself the day I clocked Reid. But you’re family, and I won’t tolerate anyone hurting those I care about.”
“You’re simply the best.” She pulled the sheet over her body and settled in, holding on to the pillow. It would be weird being around Reid for three days and two nights.
But it might be good, too.
