“So, do you enjoy it?” Samira asked after a few minutes.
“Enjoy what?” Andy asked.
“Crabbing. Oyster dredging. Your dad’s business,” Samira clarified.
“Well, it keeps me busy.”
“That’s not really an answer,” Samira pointed out.
“I enjoy being on the water. I’m happy that I could step in, but it is a lot of work. I’d never make it if I didn’t have my mom helping out in the crab house.”
“I bet Elizabeth wouldn’t know what to do with herself if she wasn’t working in the crab house. I remember that being the first place to look for her when we were teenagers.” Samira’s expression became somber with the last sentence.
“Some things never change,” Andy said quietly then paused. “But some things do.”
“Yeah,” Samira agreed wistfully. “Some things do.” With the last statement she stood and walked over to where Mary and Elizabeth were sitting and chatting.
Andy didn’t follow. He watched from his spot at the controls and gave her space. She seemed relaxed as she helped herself to some baked goods and joined in the conversation. Samira seemed to be right at home on his boat. As the race went on, he was able to see the moment her nerves began to fade away, and she started to enjoy herself.
“So, are you guys back together or something?” Eddy asked Andy after they had docked the boat.
“No.”
“But you want to be,” Eddy commented, dramatically waggling his eyebrows.
Andy looked toward the cabin where the ladies were gathering up all the goodies they had brought onto the boat. “Can we talk about this later?”
“Sure thing,” Eddy said as he carried two of the chairs off the boat.
“Don’t look at me like that,” Andy said.
Eddy laughed while he watched the women step out of the boat and make their way to where the cars were parked. “I wasn’t even looking at you. I don’t need to. So how long is she here for?”
“The rest of the week. But I don’t know if I’ll see her anymore while she’s here. It was nice having them on the boat. Can we talk about it later?”
“Sure,” Eddy agreed once again. “See ya in the morning.”
“Yup,” Andy mumbled absently before making his way over to Samira’s car.
“Thank you for having us,” Samira said politely when he approached.
She stood outside of her open car door, the gold flecks in her brown eyes flickering in the sunlight, and Andy’s gaze was captured. For a moment, he couldn’t remember what he was about to say. “Are you busy tonight?” he finally managed.
“Well, I plan on spending time with my aunt,” Samira began.
“No, you didn’t.” Mary leaned forward in her seat and interjected, “I have plans tonight, remember, Samira?”
Samira closed her eyes for a moment and shook her head. “I guess I’m not busy tonight.”
“Want to meet me here at 6:00? There’s a band playing down by the bay,” Andy invited.
Samira hesitated. “I don’t know…”
“There will be crab cakes. And Smith Island Cake,” Andy said and playfully bumped her arm with his elbow.
Samira smiled slowly. “Okay, I guess.”
Andy gave her a quick kiss on the cheek then turned to walk to his truck before he could see her reaction. His lips felt warm from just the short contact. He wanted to kiss her mouth. He knew he was being stupid letting his thoughts go there, but he didn’t care.
