Page 19 of Forbidden Kisses
“The delivery guys for Southport are both throwing up,” Jack said. “They called me on my cellphone on the way here. Both men ate something bad on their last trip and can’t do the morning deliveries. One of the major Southport restaurants needs its fish by 4P.M.before the dinner crowd hits. I keep telling the owner he needs to keep a couple days’ worth of fish in the freezer just in case, but he never does.”
Grace shook her head. “You want me to drive the delivery truck? I’m not sure—”
“No, I’ll drive. But you can come with me. I could do it on my own, but it’d be a lot more fun with you. We can trust each other with the next few hours of our lives. Maybe even with some more of our deepest, darkest secrets.” He waggled his eyebrows and Grace laughed.
“I didn’t realize delivering fish was part of the job,” she said.
“Knowing all the jobs is part of the job. It’ll be fun. Just say yes.”
She inhaled deeply and nodded. “All right. You’re the boss, so it’s whatever you say.”
Which tempted him to say a whole lot more, which could spell a whole lot of trouble. “I’m not the boss. I’m the boss’s son.” He hooked his head. “Let’s go.”
Twenty minutes later, Jack and Grace were on their way to Southport in a truck carrying a cooler of fresh fish. His brothers and their crews went after tuna, but they often caught a lot of mullet, flounder, and whatever else was jumping while they were at sea. Sometimes they threw it overboard as chum to catch the bigger fish, but often they sold that catch to clients along the coast, too.
“I’m a little surprised this truck doesn’t reek.”
Jack took in a deep breath, inhaling the strong scent of raw fish. “It does. You’re just getting used to the smell. Already immune to fish guts after only a week with us.”
“Not sure that’s a good thing,” she said.
“Number-one quality for a fisherman’s wife to have is an immunity to the fish smell.” His gaze slid over. “Not that you’ll end up with a fisherman,” he said quickly. “It’s just a good quality to have.”
“I’ll put it on my next résumé.”
His gaze slid again. “No next résumé. You’re doing an awesome job for us so far. You’re staying.”
“Noah—”
“He’ll adjust,” Jack said, firmly. “So, uh, how’s your mom?” he asked, wanting to change the subject. Grace’s mother wasn’t his favorite topic, however.
Grace shifted. She was wearing khaki shorts today that rode up on her thighs as she sat in the delivery truck beside him. Her skin was tanned, which pulled his mind back to when he’d seen her walking on the beach the other day. She had a toned body with dips and curves that made his fingers itch to touch her.
Easy, Jack. She’s look but no touch.
“She’s Tammy,” Grace said in response to his question. “What else can I say? She’s always been strong willed and it’s to her advantage now that she’s sick. At least now I can afford to buy her medication again, thanks to you.”
Jack frowned.
“Right. You would never lift a finger to help my mother. I know that.” Her voice grew defensive.
“I’ll always help you, though.”
She glanced over. “Okay. Well, I need help again. I want to be part of your crew for the East Coast fishing tournament this year.”
His foot reflexively lifted off the gas. “I don’t fish anymore.”
“But you do it every year. Ever since we were kids.”
“Things changed. I changed. Why would you want to do the tournament anyway?” he asked. “Have you ever fished a day in your life?”
“Your father took me out dozens of times when I lived with you. He taught me to fish, and I’ll have you know that I was pretty good.”
“At catching pinfish, Grace. This is worlds different from that. It’s dangerous out there.” He knew that better than most.
“I can do it.”
“Is this about the prize? How much money do you need?” he asked.
