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“Well, I’ve learned a lot from you today. So, thank you.”
“You’re welcome. You’ll learn from Dune as well. He’ll teach you everything about working on the boat or running a tour. Before the end of the summer, you’ll probably be able to charter something small.”
Caroline couldn’t imagine guiding her own tour. “I have a lot to learn. I’m not sure one summer will be enough.”
“I’m sure you’ll come back next year.” Ana winked.
Before she could say anything, Speed and Wilson approached them, both beaming from ear to ear. “What’s her name?” Ana asked them.
Wilson blushed while Speed snickered. “We didn’t get it and we’re hoping if we described her, you could tell us.”
“No,” Ana told them. The boys pouted, but Ana held her ground. The three of them had this sibling rivalry thing going on, even though they weren’t related. “I’m not your matchmaker and I’m definitely not giving you a name of some unsuspecting woman. Go find her.” Ana pointed toward the street where most of the tourists hung out.
Caroline looked around the corner, her heart beating faster in anticipation. She hadn’t expected to miss Dune this much after their morning together. But now, she wanted to see him more than anything, and the question of where he was, lingered on the tip of her tongue. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment as her coworkers watched her. She played it cool and looked down at her nails, as if they were dirty or she had broken one. Caroline didn’t want them to guess how much she really cared about Dune.
“We’re headed over to Diego’s,” Speed said to her and Ana. “Are you joining us?”
Ana said she was, and then all eyes were on Caroline.
Play it cool.
“Isn’t Diego’s for locals?” she questioned, despite having been there the night before with Dune.
Wilson tugged her hand, and she fell into step. “You’re like a temp local.”
The four of them made their way across the path to the wharf, which was bustling with activity. Music played and people gathered in small groups, chatting among themselves. The smell of saltwater and sunblock filled the air, and every slip of the wharf’s dock had a boat parked there. People who stayed out on their boats most of the day had come ashore for dinner and drinks.
Wilson asked for a table for four, not five, and Caroline masked her disappointment. Dune probably had plans, of which were no concern of hers. He didn’t owe her anything and at the end of the day, he was her boss.
The hostess sat them immediately under the wooden pergola that sheltered their table from the warm evening sun. A small breeze blew the above head curtains, casting a dancing shadow on the table.
Caroline sat and sighed. She closed her eyes, relaxed, and let everything wash over her. This was exactly what she wanted when she came to Seaport. Well, not the job, but she considered that a bonus. She enjoyed being with Speed, Ana, and Wilson, and Dune when he graced her with his presence. She loved her little cottage, the water, her outside fireplace, and the sense of calm she got from being near the water twenty-four seven. Caroline had made the right decision when she stood up to her father and told him she needed the time away before she gave herself over to corporate America and the nine-to-five.
They ordered a round of drinks. Beer for the guys. Margaritas for Ana and Caroline. Instead of ordering dinner, they went with appetizers. Soon, their table had calamari, shrimp, potato skins, pot stickers, and every other appetizer from the menu.
After Caroline’s first drink, she switched to water. Since arriving in Seaport, she had drunk more than she normally would and wanted to give it a rest. She was about to leave and head home when Dune grabbed a chair from a nearby table and sat down beside her. As much as she wanted to ignore him, she couldn’t, and when she finally found the courage to look at him, his piercing gaze met hers. His eyes burned into her soul so forcefully that her breath hitched, and she felt as if time had stopped still. She tried to look away but found herself unable to break his gaze; he held her captive with the intensity of his stare.
“Hey,” she said breathlessly, despite being a tad angry at him.
“Having a good night?”
Caroline nodded. “Not too much fun, though.” She pointed to her glass of water.
“I can see that.”
“I missed you,” she mumbled before she could take the words back. Caroline shook her head. “I shouldn’t have said that,” she said under her breath. At least she hoped it was quiet enough for only Dune to hear. “Where have you been?”
“Around.”
“Being Captain Blue Balls?”
Dune frowned. “Do you want me to walk you home?”
She thought about his offer and was about to tell him no, but she had a sneaky suspicion he would follow her, regardless.
