Nash just laughs. “That was perfect,” he praises, holding out a fist, and Lio bumps it with his.
So freaking cute.
“Make sure he stays where you can see him all the time. I don’t want him to wander off and fall over the railing while you’re occupied navigating,” Hunter cautions. “And check twice to make sure you have his inhaler with you.”
“Not our first time hunting whales, brother. Li-Li and I are pros.” Nash grins.
I sit up straight, turning from Nash to Hunt and back to Nash again. “You go whale watching?” I ask, a surge of excitement coursing through me.
“Someone’s excited.” Nash chuckles. “Wanna join us?”
Of course, I want to join. It’s at the top of my bucket list. But it would mean a day with flirty and sexy Nash in his element.
And I’m still pissed at him for his proposition.
No, not pissed.Hurt.
But if I’m honest, that’s not fair. He never promised anything, and neither did I. I was well aware of what I wasgetting myself into and who he is. Punishing him for that would be hypocritical.
And I was the one offering him to be friends.
I’m just afraid I can’t handle it.
“I would love to,” I admit.
Nash’s grin gets even bigger, and he looks at Lio. “What do you think, Lio? Are we inviting the greenhorn to come with us?” he asks, nodding in my direction.
“Sure, I can watch out for Sloany.” Lio nods proudly.
“Then it’s settled.” Nash puts an arm around my shoulder, thankfully missing my bruised spot. “We’re gonna have so much fun,” he whispers in my ear, making a shudder run down my neck.
Oh, I’m going to regret this.
“What about you, Hunter?” I ask him, worried that Nash is getting a little too touchy in front of him.
But Hunter seems relaxed when he answers, “I don’t go on the ocean anymore.”
I glance at him, trying to decipher the shadows behind his calm façade, but his eyes are kind as always, revealing nothing.
A tangle of emotions grips me—relief that he’s not upset with me for choosing to join them and a twinge of sadness about him not joining too.
Yes, I’m so excited to see whales, but leaving Hunter behind, even just for the day, feels like a betrayal of the bond that’s been tightening between us. But for Hunter to sit there, a smile still playing on his lips, it speaks volumes. It tells me he maybe even understands my tumult of feelings better than I do.
FORTY-ONE
We’re at the harbor,where all the Jones & Sons boats are moored when they’re not out, and Nash is showing Lio how to loosen the knot securing the boat we’ll use today.
Each boat’s name is written on the front right side of it. When I read our boat’s name, Nash’s boat, I feel a gut punch that takes my breath away.
The Saylor.
I take a deep breath, trying to keep my composure.
Where the hell are you, Saylor?
A chill runs down my neck, and I hastily turn, but it’s Jessica standing beside me, watching Nash with Lio, a small spike of happiness radiating from her.
“Jessica,” I whisper, and she turns to me with wide, shocked eyes.
