“How do you know she wasn’t a psychic?” I asked.
“Because psychics don’t exist.”
“Agree to disagree.” I thought for a minute, tapping my chin. “Do you have a better argument for this people can do anything - thing?”
“Sure. How about all those people who sell herbal remedies or supplements? The government doesn’t regulate it. And most of them don’t have a business license. They’re running around all willy-nilly selling snake oil.”
“Willy-nilly?”
“I stand by it.”
I nodded. “Okay. I see your point. One doesn’t have to have a certificate of piracy to own or operate a pirate-themed dinner cruise. I happen to do both.”
She rolled her eyes, but I didn’t miss the beginning of a smile turning up the edge of her full lips. Lips that I dreamed about at night. I shook myself out of it and returned to the moment. “Is that why you’re here? To ask me about my degree? How did you know where to find me?” I pointedly glanced at her boat shoes. “Seems like you’re not dressed for a casual chat about post-secondary education.”
Kendra sunk into my guest chair with a heavy sigh. “I came here to apply for the Captain job, even though your crew has been harassing my charter ship for months. And, well, that ship is currently being towed back here for repairs. So, charters are off, for now.”
My chest tightened. It was a tragedy, no matter how you looked at it, but to see this beautiful woman in anguish because of it. I wanted to do something. “You’re hired.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Yes. You are.”
“No,” Kendra said, louder this time. “I’m not. You cannot hire me. We had sex!”
I glanced at the not-quite-closed door. “Say it a little louder next time, eh?”
“Sorry. Sorry.”
“It’s all good. But you’re still hired.”
“No. I’m still not. We had sex. I didn’t know that it was you when I set out to apply for this job today. So, thank you for the offer, but it’s still no,” Kendra said.
I sat behind my desk and shoved one pile of paperwork to the side so I could look at her unimpeded. “Not to be a complete arsehole while I’m trying to hire you against your will, it seems, but why do you need a job in the first place? Insurance will cover a fire on that that charter ship you own. What’s the name again? Something to do with sex and movies?”
“Netfish and Chill.”
“Right.” I laughed at that. “Good name.”
That lightened the mood slightly, but the frown returned to her face, creating a crease between her eyebrows. “Yes. I own that ship, but as you saw, it sustained a lot of fire damage.” She paused to pick at a hangnail on her thumb. Kendra wouldn’t meet my eye, and I suspected it had nothing to do with our night in the outdoor shower, where she called me by another man’s name.
As I remembered that night, something else came to mind: despite being the Captain of her ship, she followed orders very well.
“Kendra.” I rose to my feet and rested my fingertips on the edge of my desk. “Tell me why you need a job.”
She bit her lip. “The insurance company says I didn’t pay the premium last month, which means I didn’t have any coverage for theNetfish.” She swallowed. “I checked. It’s true. I forgot to pay it.”
Shit.
“And moments ago, I heard from the Coast Guard. They’ll be sending me a bill for the rescue operation. Not to mention the towing bill. Thankfully, it’s not leaking fuel, which would damage the sensitive marine habitat and mean more fines I can’t afford.” She squeezed her eyes shut and leaned her head back. “I guess that’s the bright spot.”
“Right. Not only are you taking this job, I’m paying you double what was advertised,” I said. “Now, let’s get the paperwork started.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“I am.”
“You’re being ridiculous.”
