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While her toes dried, Caroline made herself an iced coffee, and then sat outside. She swore she saw Wilson’s boat go by. She couldn’t be sure but waved anyway. Once she finished her glass, she went back in, did her hair, her makeup, and then dressed in a long, flowy skirt only to change her mind and pull her jeans out of the closet. She slipped on a tank top and then stood in the full-length mirror, looking at every angle possible. She was torn. She wanted to wear the holey jeans, but it was warm outside, and a skirt or dress would be better.
Caroline gave up and stayed in the jeans. She’d get Dune’s opinion when he got here or maybe change depending on what he had on. Knowing him, he’d wear shorts. They were his staple item and if given the chance to inspect his closet, she’d probably find a hundred pairs. Of course, it made sense since he worked on the water all day long.
Her phone rang. A quick glance at the caller ID showed it was her mom. Caroline hesitated for a moment before answering.
“Hey, Mom.”
“Hello, Caroline.” Constance Taylor was always so formal. Most people thought Constance was cold, standoffish, but they didn’t know her. She definitely came across that way, but when she was with Caroline and her sister, Jackie, their mom was loving and sweet, and their best friend.
“How are the Hamptons?”
“Dreadful. Everyone is so uppity, and I don’t like it. Are you coming to visit?”
Caroline rolled her eyes. The Hamptons was the last place she’d visit.
“No, but you can come here if you want. Just you though.”
“Caroline.”
“He didn’t approve. I don’t want him ruining my vacation. Besides, if you come, we can shop and lie in the sun. Or go out on the boat. It’s beautiful, Mom.”
“Boat? What boat?”
Shit. Shit. Shit.
Caroline had to think quickly. She didn’t want anyone to know about Dune, at least not yet. “There are boat rentals everywhere. We can even rent a captain.”
“Can we now?” There was a hint of sauciness in her mother’s tone.
“Mother!” Caroline warned, but then started laughing. “Yes, we can rent a captain.”
“Are they cute?
Caroline fought back a groan. “Yes, Mom. There are some very good-looking men on the island.”
“Have you found one?”
“I’m not looking,” she told her mom. “What’s the point when I have to start that dreadful job in September?”
“It’s not dreadful,” her mother said. “It’s a job and six months ago you had no idea what you wanted to do. Do you now?”
“No,” Caroline said quietly. She told her parents her vacation would be eye-opening, and she’d figure out her life path while she was here. She blew smoke up her parents’ asses. Seaport didn’t have the answers any more than New Haven or New York City.
“You will,” Constance sighed. “And if you don’t, give yourself a year at Goldman, and then go get your Master’s. Your father would pay for it. Might as well get it.”
Caroline wanted to laugh and cry. The last thing she wanted was to go back to school, and if she did, she’d have to know what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. Somehow being a beach bum wouldn’t fly with her father.
The sound of a door slamming had her looking out the window. Dune climbed the stairs, with an overnight bag in his hand. She opened the door and put her finger over her lips and mouthed, “Mom.”
Dune nodded and side-stepped her to go put his bag in her bedroom. She watched him, well mostly his backside, and appreciated the way the jeans he wore hugged his tight ass. She was in so much trouble where the local captain was concerned.
“What else is new, Mom?” Caroline asked. She was ready to get off the phone, but if she told her mom as such, she would know something was up.
“Not much. Just waiting for Jackie to get out of the pool so we can go to dinner.”
“Yeah, I should probably head into town and get some dinner, too.”
“Did you bring your mace?”
“It’s not really needed here, but yes, I have it.”
“I worry about you, Caroline.”
“I’m fine. I promise,” she said as her gaze met Dune’s. He leaned against the door jamb, with his ankles crossed, eyeing her. Her body flushed under his intense gaze. “Talk to you later. Love you,” she said in a rush to get off the phone.
“Love you, too.”
Caroline hung up and stood there, staring at the man who made her insides turn to goo. “That was my mom. I told her she could visit, and we could rent a boat and a captain.”
“Is that so?” his eyebrow popped up.
“Yep. She wanted to know if the captains are cute.”
“What did you say?” Dune pushed away from the door jamb and came toward her. As soon as he closed the gap, his hand was on her waist.
