Tess did her best to keep her focus on the road. With the coastal scenery flying past, with Bree in the seat next to her as she navigated them toward the day’s adventure together, Tess wanted more days like today. She didn’t want to give this up.
She wondered if anything could dissuade Bree from her position that she already had too much on her plate. And old insecurities niggled at Tess that she didn’t measure up. She took a big breath. She wasn’t going to let her past encroach on the agenda today. She wanted to enjoy this adventure, and for her to do that, Tess needed to focus on the moment and not worry about tomorrow. But that was hard when she desperately wanted to trust Bree with her heart.
They laid down their forks and looked at the empty dessert plate where there had been a serving of Waldorf pudding, a delicious custard dish with apples and walnuts. They had endedup at a small restaurant across from the pier where the whale watching boat would be docked.
“That was delicious, but I’m questioning the wisdom of picking a restaurant called the Poseidon just before we head out to sea. And to think you picked it on purpose.” Tess’s tone carried an element of faux incredulity.
“You and boats and sinking ships. Don’t forget I’m the one with lifesaving skills.” Bree knew her eyes must be reflecting her merriment at being able to bring up the reference to their paddleboat trip and the subsequent kissing.
“As I recall, it was the mouth-to-mouth you so proudly boasted about.”
“And delivered, if I remember correctly.” Bree laughed as Tess blushed.
Tess shook her head and offered an exaggerated shrug. “On second thought, maybe I don’t recall.”
“Not quite the shade of the jacket, but from the shade of pink you just turned, I think you remember.”
“Well, I’m not dwelling on it. No place for discussions of sinking vessels when we’re about to board a boat to go chase down and wave at Flipper.” Tess did a credible job of keeping her expression schooled to disdain, but Bree knew her well enough to read the entertained twinkle in her eyes and the bite of her lower lip that she employed to prevent a smile.
Tess was so many layers deeper than she often presented, and Bree was having a great time being entertained by Tess’s failed efforts to act as though she had no memory of their Tahoe kissing. She could tell that Tess was having a good time too.
“We’ve been over this. Not Flipper.” Bree offered Tess an exaggerated eye roll. “It’s whales. Maybe the boat will be named thePequod.That was Captain Ahab’s boat. FromMoby-Dick.”
“And I’ll have you know that thePequodsank. You pick the Poseidon restaurant for lunch, then bring up thePequodfor a cruise. You’re not reassuring me, buttercup.” Tess’s eyes continued to twinkle.
“Buttercup? I think you’re sucking up in case you need my mouth-to-mouth skills after all.” Bree’s heart had done a little flip at the endearment. Tess was full of surprises.
“Well, I suppose it can’t hurt to have someone with your expertise along. And to stay on your good side.”
“And I thought you invited me for my wallet, so that I could pay for this so-much-better-than-yogurt meal,” Bree replied.
“Well, that too. Shall we pay up and empty your bank account then, before we head across the street to the pier and our maritime fate?”
“Nobody I’d rather face my maritime destiny with than you, sugar.” Bree figured she could get away with an endearment if Tess could. Of course, the grin on her face didn’t begin to keep her feelings under wraps the way Tess was able to do.
“You think I’m sweet? I’d hate to have to kiss that grin into submission out there on the boat. Those lovely choppers flashing in the sun just might attract sharks.”
“So, you’d be willing to kiss me to save me from becoming chum.” God, teasing Tess was fun.
“You’ve got that right.” Tess held out her hand. “Come on, princess, before the boat launches without us.”
Bree thought she’d be happy just sitting there at the table bantering with Tess the rest of the day. She wondered what that meant, and how long she could put off really thinking about it.
Chapter Twenty
Tess carried the pink jacket under her arm. She wasn’t ready to surrender to an attention-grabbing fashion statement until she was significantly chilled. She’d thought that when she’d donned the red top this morning, she was stretching herself. It would have been fine with a gray or black coat, but bright pink over the red was well outside her normal comfort zone.
It still surprised her that she’d selected a red Mercedes instead of a black, or even a white one. However, she’d made the purchase soon after her shooting recovery, a time when she was deeply introspective and seeking change. She’d been happy to be alive and had wanted to advertise it.
Today, she hoped that Bree would distract her from even thinking about her attire. And when it came down to it, she would rather be warm than be a restrained fashion statement.
“Welcome aboard theCarpe Diem, ladies. I’m Captain Bob, and I’ll be in charge of the trip today. There are other crew members on board, so you shouldn’t have trouble having any needs addressed. Go ahead and look around before we get underway. There are drinks, food, and restrooms.”
Bree leaned into Tess and whispered, “And life jackets.”
Captain Bob looked at Tess. “Yes, ma’am. Plenty of life jackets. But if I have any say, we won’t need them.” Then he looked at the coat under Tess’s arm. “It can get a bit cool out there with the breeze and the moisture. You’ll likely need a jacket today, and that one will make you one of my best-dressed passengers.”
Bree gently poked Tess in the ribs, and Tess gave up worrying about the hot pink hue and smiled at Captain Bob. “Thanks. My fellow whale watcher picked it out for me, so she’s the one who deserves the compliments.”
