1
KORIE
The air smells of salt and iced coffee as we roll into the parking lot of the marina, which is already packed with vehicles this early in the day.
“Looks like everyone had the same idea we did,” Holden says in an annoyed tone.
I manage not to roll my eyes at him from the passenger seat. “Oh, relax. It’ll be fine.”
He tightens his grip on the steering wheel and circles the lot one more time before resigning to a spot far enough away from the docks that even I want to groan. The last thing I want to do is haul our stuff a half mile down to the boat.
As we climb out, Cole tosses our empty coffee cups into a nearby trash can while Holden lifts the bags from the trunk. Before he can pass them off to me, I reach for the cooler. Together, we lift it out.
Cole shoves his hands into his pockets as he eyes the large cooler. “Do we actuallyneedthis much food? We’re only going for the day.”
Holden snorts, shifting the weight of the bags higher on his shoulder. “You clearly don’t know Korie if you’re saying that.”
I whip my head around. “Hey!”
He grins. “What? You know it’s true. You’re a foodie.”
Cole’s skepticism is justified. There’s enough chips, cookies, and licorice to last us a month—and that’s not counting the fried chicken and macaroni salad we’d packed for lunch. Somehow, all this food will be gone before the end of the day.
“Yeah, well, there are worse things to be,” I say as I drag the cooler behind me.
“Oh yeah? Name one.”
I make a face, eyebrows raised. “Someone who doesn’t appreciate good food.”
“Hey, you know I love food as much as you do, but you don’t see me dragging the pantry with us wherever we go.”
I smack his ribs, and Holden quickly slings an arm around my neck to pull me close. I squirm away before he can pinch me. We both laugh.
“Okay, I’m starting to see the dynamic here,” Cole says.
Holden lets me go, still grinning. “Yeah, you’ll learn fast. I guess being friends our whole lives makes us act like kids sometimes. Anyway, yeah, do not, under any circumstances, come between Korie and their food.”
I stick a tongue out at Holden as Cole smirks. “Noted.”
Holden adjusts his hat as we set out. This is the second time Cole has hung out with us, but already I like the guy. Holden said he’s kept to himself since he started at the rock climbing gym a month ago, refusing to open up to anyone. But from the way he’s eyeing Cole, Holden must be on a mission to crack open the vault.
Holden glances out toward the water. “It’s already bottlenecked. We need to hurry.”
“We have all day, Hold. Relax.”
He sighs. He hates getting stuck in traffic—anywhere. But even the foul stench of exhaust can’t seem to ruin his mood. He’s been all smiles since he picked me up.
The weather is great today—not too hot and not too windy. Of course, I’ll probably feel differently when the temperature rises, but right now, it’s perfect for an early summer day.
Dozens of boats rock gently in their slips as we pass, their ropes creaking. It’s our first trip out on the boat this year, and already I feel something coming alive in me. I didn’t realize how badly I needed this. Not just being here, butthis, the laughter and easy back-and-forth with my friends. It’s too easy to get stuck in the routines of work and responsibilities.
Holden bumps my shoulder as the dock beneath us sways. “You okay?”
“Yeah, why?”
He shrugs softly. “You’re quieter than I expected.”
I chuckle. “Give it time. The day’s just getting started.”
