Page 28 of The Second Chance in the Mediterranean
Bok grinned. “You’re cleaning the carpet tomorrow!”
“Have a tissue,” said Edie as she passed one to Harper.
Bok’s shoulders shook silently and Cat looked at me thoughtfully. “Not Seb?” she asked quietly.
The laughter died from my lips. “Why?” The noise and merriment around the room covered our conversation, but I glanced around anyway to make sure no one was paying attention.
She shrugged. “He’s always around and it seems to annoy you. I would think he would be on your list somewhere.”
I tried to brush it off, the heat creeping up my cheeks. “Nah, he’s all right.”
Cat laughed. “Okay, he’s definitely on your list somewhere,” she said with a sly grin.
I focused on my wine. He was on my list somewhere....I just couldn’t decide where.
Fourteen
At eight o’clockwe gathered on the aft deck ofThemis. The sun was somewhere behind Marjan Hill, but the sky still had a rosy glow.
Despite the no-dress-code policy, we were all wearing our best clothes: collared shirts, short dresses, strappy sandals. When I climbed out of the stairwell, several of the crew wolf-whistled.
I was wearing a floral flowing dress that Cat had helped me pick out. My shoulders were bare, my long hair down in loose waves, and I’d put on light makeup. Getting ready in the master cabin had been fun, taking advantage of the huge mirrors and vanities and sharing compliments and beauty products. My own had been thinned out when I moved aboardEik—sharing a small cabin between two women left little room for nonessentials.
My eyes immediately found Seb. He was dressed casually preppy, with boat shoes and a teal polo shirt. His hair, usually tousled and loose, was slicked back with a wave and a side part.
His gaze slid over me appreciatively, a soft smile on his lips before he turned away, making my stomach flutter. The way we looked at each other felt different suddenly. Off the clock, we were no longer at odds.
Mingling at the stern, crew members leaned against the railing or stood in clusters, sipping drinks and laughing. Dom came down the port-side stairs and called out when he saw us. “Look at my stunning crew!”
There was a chorus of callouts. “Dom, come out with us!” and “It won’t be a party without you.”
He made his way through the group, complimenting everyone and giving hugs and cheek kisses. When he got to me, we hugged. “You did great this week. Welcome to the crew—you passed your initiation.” He winked.
Pride swelled in my chest. It might not have been the big hurdle of Natasha and Justin, but it was a relief to have the charter guests gone and a job well done. “Thanks, Dom.”
“Okay, guys. Have fun, but not too much fun. Be safe, and take care of each other.”
There was a chorus of “yes, Dad,” and we filed down the gangway to the wharf. It buzzed with activity, people out strolling in the last of the day’s light, kids running around and couples holding hands.
The Riva was a fifteen-minute walk fromThemisand while our group moved, we spread out slightly, some of us meandering while others walked with an energetic spring to their step.
Seb fell in beside me, matching my stride. He leaned in a little close and my heart rate picked up. “You never struck me as the partying type.”
“I enjoy a good beach party. Especially after the week we’ve had.”
“Did you party much on the sailboat?”
I laughed. “No, definitely not. With sailors it tends to be early drinks and early bedtimes. Plus, toward the end, we were in really remote islands. It was hard to find a restaurant, never mind a club. What about you?”
He shrugged, his hands in his pockets as we strolled at the back of the group. “Occasional crew nights like this. But usually, the club scene just feels foreign and weird to me here. As the token American, I feel uncool.”
“Uncool? What makes you uncool?”
“Europeans have a different way of dressing, especially for nights out. And I guess, growing up in Miami, most of the Europeans I encountered were wealthy. I didn’t see them out at clubs. The clubs I went to were more for the Latinx crowd.”
“Well . . .” I glanced at Seb, noticing the way the polo hugged his chest and showed off his arms. “You certainly look great tonight.”
He laughed. “Roy dressed me. A perk of having a gay roommate.” He pinched the front of his shirt and pulled it away slightly. “This is his shirt, and it’s a little smaller than what I’d wear.”
