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He tipped his head back. “I just don’t see how this is going to work.” He pinched the bridge of his nose.
“We’ll get creative. It’s what I do. Besides, living in Crescent Cove means babies are just a fact of life. Moms work all the time and I’m sure no one will even bat an eye at seeing me working with bean attached to me.”
His gaze rested on me again. “Bean?”
“That’s what I’ve called her since I was pregnant. Before I even knew I was having a girl.”
“I don’t know. Logistically, this is a nightmare. What happens if something went wrong with the baby on my property?”
“Okay, that’s a valid concern. But is it really any different than having people come in with their kids?”
“You know it is.”
“Doesn’t have to be. And eventually I’ll use a daycare, but it’s too early to do that yet and mama needs to get some money under her belt before I can do that too.”
He was wavering, I could tell. Mostly because he needed me, and I was very thankful that no one else had been good enough for the job.
I linked my arm through his. “Now, we’re going to go on that boat and figure out how to give your family the very best engagement party.”
He let me do the steering this time. The wind picked up off the water and his scent mixed with the fresh, sunny breeze, making my stomach flip. He was an attractive guy. Not exactly my usual catnip. In fact, he looked more like he belonged on a sailboat than running a restaurant.
He was wearing a polo shirt, for God’s sake.
It was soft and a very nice fabric, but it was still a damn polo shirt.
Work, Emma.
Not his smell or his clothing choices. He was my damn boss. None of that mattered.
“You know, if you did find a way to get some power out here, you could line the dock with some cool lights too. Nighttime parties in the summer would be perfect for that. Theme nights, or just classy dining.”
“I’ll look into it.”
One foot in front of the other.
It was stupid to be nervous about getting back on the boat. Sure, it was the scene of the crime, so to speak. But it wasn’t like there was actual trauma. I mean, my boss seeing all of my parts was probably not the best way to start a relationship, but I was pretty sure he avoided all the birth stuff.
Pretty sure anyway.
I shook my hair behind me and strode onto the boat.
The varnished deck and pristine white interior were innocuous enough. Memories of us chatting here on the main floor came back in a rush. The pride he had in the converted barge was evident.
I could feel it now as he strode to the bar. And just like that day, he went behind the bar to get me a bottle of water. Always taking care of people.
I wasn’t used to that.
My brother was sweet, but he was often in his head or overworked. His first thought was for Kitty most of the time, and the rest of his energy was often given to the animals he cared for.
I knew he worried about me, but it was different.
He was my big brother and the best of my siblings, but he still had clueless male stamped all over him most of the time.
Even knowing Mason only a handful of days, he seemed to be unlike any man I’d ever known. He worried about his employees, his customers, and me—a near stranger—who had done nothing but give him grief.
And he was giving me a chance.
I wouldn’t screw it up.
