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Dune walked the streets, saying hi to the people he knew, and greeting the people he didn’t. He was friendly, always had a kind word (at least for most people) and was the first to offer a helping hand if needed. The entire time he walked, he paused and peered in the windows of other establishments, looking for Caroline. It wasn’t that he wanted to speak to her; he wanted to make sure she was safe. Being drunk and walking alone wasn’t the best idea, no matter where you lived. Seaport was safe, but there wasn’t a place in this world that was that safe.
When he didn’t find her, he found himself walking toward her cottage. He had no idea what he planned to do once he got there, but hoped he’d see her silhouette through the window, which would reassure him she was home safe.
But she could also be inside with someone, and then what?
Nothing.
She wasn’t his type. More so, she was way out of his league with her designer handbags and clothes. Dune went more for the type who wore shorty shorts and tanks. The ones who were here for a week or two and looking for a good time. Caroline exuded a strict, no-hook-up policy. He could see it written all over her face. Plus, she told him as much.
Well, drunk Caroline had.
Dune hadn’t had a chance to really charm a sober Caroline, and he wasn’t sure if he should try. Now that he hired her, albeit for no pay, she was technically his employee. Boss and employee relationships hardly ever worked out and often caused discontent among others.
He stood at the end of the property and looked toward the cottage. The lights were on, a sure sign she was home. His next step would be to leave, but he’d never been a rational person. He walked along the property edge, knowing full well the owner of the main house was still out of town, and stepped onto the private beach.
Dune pulled up short when he saw Caroline sitting there, in front of the fire pit. She held a glass of wine and had covered herself with a blanket. He followed her gaze out to the harbor where the lighthouse was. If he hadn’t known better, he could easily assume she waited for her sea-bound mate to return from a fishing trip. He had seen his mother pace her widow’s walk one too many times and understood the worry.
Except Caroline didn’t have a husband or boyfriend, at least that Dune knew of. And he wasn’t aware of anyone out at sea, except for a few sail boats that anchored for the night.
Dune stood there in the silence, clouded by darkness, until she put the flame out and went inside. He made his way down the beach instead of backtracking until he came to the docks, he cut across the fish markets. There were a few boats coming into port and unloading their catch. He stopped and chatted for a bit and then decided he needed a night on the water.
He went to the pier where his parents kept their yacht, unlocked the gate, and made his way to their slip. He climbed aboard and went into the cabin, where he grabbed some blankets and a pillow and then made his way to the top deck.
Dune laid out underneath the moon, and as he closed his eyes. He pictured how tomorrow would go with Caroline and the rest of his crew. Everyone would get along, and she’d love working with them.
More importantly, he’d woo the shit out of her.
caroline
A light breeze came through the open window. Caroline paused, inhaled, and let the moment wash over her. She couldn’t remember the last time she woke up before the sun, but this morning, she did it with gusto. Determination. She was going to take this job and grab it by the horns, so to speak.
The night before, she slept restlessly. Instead of going out and partaking in another round of delicious pina coladas, she stayed in. She made herself dinner. She figured out how to light the propane fire pit and sat there enjoying a glass of wine while the sounds of the ocean filled the silence. It was the first time she had felt at peace in a long time. There was no one hounding her. Not her family, her friends, or any of her professors.
Caroline filled her travel mug with coffee and then set out thirty minutes before she had to be to work. Work—what a novel concept for her right now. She was in Seaport to avoid work, not actually do it, yet here she was walking toward the water, surrounded by the pink and orange sky, with a pep in her step. Today would be glorious, she was sure of it.
