“How amazing would that be?” Kiara says. “Dad would’ve loved it.”
I’m sure that part of Ki is hoping I’ll be lured in by success and want to stick around. The contrary part of me wants to shut it down, if only to avoid giving her ammunition to keep trying to get me to change my plans, but they are right. Exclusive events, especially in the fine dining scene, present opportunities too good to pass up.There’s no better way to get people talking about my food again—and I can’t get back to New York without that.
It doesn’t escape my notice that even after I yelled and dismissed her, Poppy went back to work. Came up with another idea, her best so far. I called her stubborn, but in truth, she’s tenacious.
“It’s a great idea.” I nod at Kiara, flip Chester off, then hold out my hand to help Poppy onto the boat. “Let’s do it.”
For all Poppy’s excitement on the dock, she’s quiet as we bounce along on the water.
She’s lounging on the bow of the boat like a model at a photoshoot, still wearing that ridiculous wetsuit. Her sunglasses are round and cherry red, her legs unfairly long and tanned. I stand at the stern, driving the boat in the direction of the horizon. A dozen more years of use hasn’t done it any favors, but at least it still runs. I’ll thank Chester again when I return it later.
“Jack,” she says, once we’re past Hutchinson Island, the long, skinny barrier island running parallel to the mainland. “You can at least tell me where we’re going.”
I breathe in a lungful of sea air. It’s been too long since I’ve been out on the water. I’d nearly forgotten how calming it is. Especially on a perfect day like today, with a gentle breeze and all this unfiltered sunlight. This morning’s workout did an okay job of quelling the ever-present restlessness in my limbs, but this is better.
“That idea really is awesome,” I say, once the silence feels pointed enough that I have to break it. It isn’t what I need to say, but it’s a start. “Ki was right, Sal would be into it.”
“I’m glad.” She wobbles her way to the stern and takes a seat. Her braid whips in the wind. “Can I ask you something?”
“What kind of something?”
“Are you in love with Ki?”
The question is so unexpected, I jerk the wheel to the side accidentally. As I get us back on course, I glance in her direction. “What?”
“She said you never dated. I asked.”
“We didn’t.”
“But are you in love with her?”
I shake my head, keeping my gaze on the horizon. “I’m not. We used to be close, just not like that. More like...”
“What?”
“Brother and sister,” I admit. Horseshoe Island is in view, its shoreline dotted with crooked palms. A fishing dock juts off one side. “It’s complicated.”
“Define complicated.”
“That’s where we’re headed,” I say instead of answering, pointing at the island. I’m not going to get into my past today. Not with her. “You’re going to help me with the anchor.”
“Jack—”
“The release is down there.” I nod when she finds it. She drags her teeth over her bottom lip reluctantly. “When we’re in position, press it to lower it.”
“The island looks deserted.”
“It’s just a small local place. I brought snorkeling equipment. I figure we can fish, too.”
“Me, fishing?” She wrinkles her nose. “I think you have me confused with someone else.”
“It’s non-negotiable if you want to eat today.”
We anchor with only a few hiccups. I jump off the side of the boat, waterproof gear bag slung over my shoulder, and tread water as I wait for Poppy. She unzips the wet suit, wiggling out of it clumsily. Underneath, she’s wearing a red string bikini. She takes off her sunglasses slowly, a smirk on her face.
“What the fuck,” I splutter, inhaling a lungful of sea water.
She jumps in with a splash and comes up smug, her hair slicked back. She flicks water in my face. “How about this? If I get to shore first, I don’t have to butcher any fish.”
