The captain hummed thoughtfully. “If you’d like to talk about it, I’ve been told I’m a fantastic listener.”
I snorted, then realized I kind of did want to talk about it—especially after keeping everything bottled up all day. Too bad I’d signed that NDA. “That’s not a good idea.”
He chuckled. “You know, imparting wisdom is one of the only good things about growing old. I might be able to see it more clearly from a different perspective.”
I glanced up at the stars, chewing my lip. “That’s a good point, but… Well, can you keep a secret?”
He tapped his chest. “Sea’s honor. I’ll take it to my grave.”
My brows pulled together. I’d never heard of a sea’s honor before. It must be a boat captain thing.
And the offer was tempting. Maybe it was because my and Cade’s plan was hanging on by a thread after today, and that made everything that had happened last night and this morning even more confusing. I was dying to talk to Sadie about it.
Maybe this man could be a fill-in Sadie for me today.
Besides, if there was anyone trustworthy on a boat, it was the captain. I’d already trusted him with my life out here at sea.
That was my only explanation for why I threw caution to the wind and opened my stupid mouth. “I think I’m falling for my fiancé.”
The moment those words spilled from my lips—softly and definitely flirting with violating my NDA—my lungs expanded with a full breath for the first time in days. It felt incredible. Liberating.
Surprise flashed across the yacht captain’s face before he squinted. “And that’s…a problem?”
My lips twisted. “Well, I don’t think he feels the same. Especially after today.”
He paused for a long time, letting time stretch, before speaking again. “Do you know why Cade’s grandfather named this shipThe Valencia?”
I blinked, suddenly doubting what he’d said about being a fantastic listener. Or maybe he had short-term memory issues and had already forgotten what I’d said.
But I rolled with it, because that’d actually be preferable to me spilling all my secrets. Scratching under Whiskey’s chin, I shook my head. “I don’t. Do you?”
“Yes. The name’s meaning is rooted in strength and bravery. Qualities he admires and strives for himself. Qualities the crews he hires strive for as well.” His dark eyes watched me with an almost playful glint. “Have you considered telling your fiancé how you feel?”
My lips pressed together to hide a smile. Not so short-term after all.
The breeze picked up, and I chuckled dryly while hugging Whiskey to my chest. “That’s not an option. Without oversharing, he’s not exactly emotionally available.”
Amusement swam in his gaze. “Then why are you marrying him?”
Any hint of laughter faded. “It’s complicated.”
“It shouldn’t be,” he said. “Times have changed. In my day, love was a luxury, but now you young kids marry for love all the time.”
“Yeah, but Cade and I aren’t—” My eyes bugged out, and I snapped my mouth shut with a wince. “Um, never mind. I really need to stop talking. Ignore everything I said, please. Of course I’m deeply in love with my fiancé. I’m very excited to get married and start a life together and pop out like two dozen babies.”
Shifting Whiskey to my other arm, I casually scratched the back of my hand. Whiskey gave a muffled meow before settling in.
The captain let out a loud laugh and slapped his knee. “Two dozen? That’s ambitious.”
Maybe I’d gone a little overboard there.
“Ellie.” A sharp voice cut through the night air, locking my limbs in place as Cade appeared at the entrance to the deck, moving toward us—fast. His dark gaze shot between me and the captain, and if anything, his eyes turned colder. “What are you doing?”
Oh no.
I shot up off the chair, earning a crossmeowfrom Whiskey in my arms. “Uh, the captain was just telling me and Whiskey more about your grandfather’s boat. Do you know why he named itThe Valencia? I just learned. It’s because?—”
“Hold on.” Cade’s hand lifted as he pulled to a stop in front of us, and his gaze shifted to my new companion. Cade raised a brow. “…The captain?”
