Page 16 of Fast Currents
“He’s so whimsical. I’ll take him.”
“Good choice,” I murmured.Finally. I wrapped the sculpture in record time, taping up the brown butcher paper to protect the delicate ears and tail. Running her card only took a moment.
I waved jauntily as they left, then flipped the lock, turning off lights in the showroom. It was past five thirty. The pirates at Vi’s were probably knee-deep in rum already.
I sped through town on foot, grateful for my jacket to ward off the evening chill. The ferry horn blew down at the harbor, signaling the evening departure. Wind whipped off the water, making me huddle further into my coat with a shiver.
The daytime crowds had dwindled. Vi’s boutique and the other shops I passed were closed for the day. The brewery down the block was lit up, their lot full of cars. I trudged up the hill to Vi’s house, noting both Clay’s and Drew’s trucks were parked in the driveway. Rae and Zach had likely walked up from the marina already, making me the last to arrive.
I slid open the back patio door, toeing off my shoes on the mat. Laughter drifted from the living room. Vi had her back to me, facing someone I couldn’t see. Anya and Drew cuddled on one end of the couch. Zach and Rae perched on chairs draggedin from the kitchen. Clay lounged on the other side of the couch, his messy hair jammed under a ballcap. He’d traded his Park Service uniform for well-worn jeans and a navy plaid flannel that only emphasized how well he fit in. Like he’d known us all for years, not months.
His ease with people was something I envied. Maybe even admired. It’d taken me months to just say hello to the friendly girl on the yoga mat next to mine. A few years later, Vi and I were fast friends. She’d pulled me into her orbit, introducing me to Rae and Anya. Making me one of them. But it hadn’t happened overnight.
Clay, though? He slid seamlessly into our friend group. Like he’d always been there. Always belonged.
Vi stepped aside, revealing Lee.
I hastily smothered a laugh.
Vi had let her dark hair fall loose, small braids framing her face. A flowy skirt and solid black tee completed the look. Normal enough.
Lee wore jeans and a Henley. Also totally normal. Except for the eye patch.
He scowled, glaring at me.
I snickered.
“Ahoy, me bucko. ‘Tis what happens when ye don’t follow cap‘n’s orders.” Vi gestured grandly to Lee’s eye patch.
“Ah-ahoy,” I managed to get out in between giggles.
Suddenly, the concept of a forfeit made sense. Vi took her games seriously.
“Knock it off,” Lee muttered darkly.
A wicked grin spread across Vi’s usually sweet face. “What’s dat? Another forfeit? I ‘ave the perfect hat fer ye.” She plucked a giant felt pirate hat from a stack of props on the coffee table, dropping it onto Lee’s head.
My gaze flicked to Clay’s. He winked. That small sign of connection sent a tiny thrill through me. One I’d deny.
“Ye be as witty as a drunken parrot, ye scabrous, black-spotted blighter!” Zach bellowed, jabbing a finger in Drew’s direction.
“May yer rum turn to vinegar, ye poxy, yellow-bellied swabbie!” Drew hit back.
Rae dissolved into laughter, nearly spilling her drink. “Ye couldn’t sail a dinghy ‘cross a pond, ye vile, gutless buffoons!”
“Arrr.” Lee scraped his forehead with the palm of his hand, shaking his head. It made his ridiculously large hat wobble.
I couldn’t help it. I cracked, shoulders shaking with laughter.
“Ye couldn't find yer own nose with both hands and a map, ye filthy, slimy rascal!” Lee hollered, finally getting into the spirit. Or just fed up with the extra costume pieces.
I arched one brow, sharpening the perfect comeback.
“Watch wha’ ye say t’ me lady,” Clay growled, expression fierce, “ye mannerless oaf.”
He launched from the couch, picking up a plastic sword from the prop pile and brandishing it toward Lee. The other man let out a booming laugh and snatched up a second sword.
They thrust and parried, darting behind furniture, theatrically hopping over the coffee table. I thought for sure Clay would take out one of Vi’s houseplants, but he steadied it just in time.
