“Wait.” Kenzie jolts upright, pink sock dangling from her fingertips. “What?”
A deep inhale lifts my chest. “I don’t want you to be uncomfortable on the way back, so I’ll drive you home, and then I’ll bring Noah’s truck back and get my boat.”
“But…but that’s like—”
The radio at Noah’s shoulder interrupts Kenzie’s protest. He steps away, muttering something into it before returning.
“I’ve got to go. You’re lucky I never took these out of my pocket this morning.”
Noah tosses me a set of keys before he jogs toward the fire truck, collecting the other two firefighters on his way. The engine roars to life, executing a quick three-point turn before racing back the way it came with the sirens blaring.
“Trevor, this is too much.”
“It’s not a big deal.” Simply extending my commute to prevent her from getting seasick again is an easy ask.
Kenzie chews on her bottom lip.
Since I want nothing more than to smooth my thumb over it, I stand. “Why don’t we get some lunch? I’m starving.”
Kenzie wrinkles her nose. “I’m still too nauseated to eat, but I’ll sit with you.”
“Why don’t I order a wrap to go, and we can take a walk on the beach instead.”
Kenzie brightens at the idea of being on the beach, so we give up our table and wait at the outdoor bar after I order my food. She excuses herself to use the restroom just before the bartender hands me my to-go container. I quickly coat the fries with mustard, knowing I can carry the wrap as we walk. I’m about two handfuls in when someone taps me on the shoulder.
“Don’t worry, big guy. I’m here to rescue you.” A blonde woman pushes into my personal space while rising onto the barstool beside where I’m standing.
“Erm.” That’s all I can manage since my mouth is full of fried mustardy goodness.
“Because”—she leans so close the sickly sweet scent of lingering vape smoke clogs my nostrils—“you were looking a bit lonely.”
I chew quickly so I can correct her misassumption. “I’m actually—”
“Listen.” She grabs my bicep while tucking her heeled boot around my calf. “I’m just passing through”—her polished nail flicks toward the yacht that’s taking up two boat slips—“and I was wondering if a small-town fella like yourself would be interested in going for a ride. I’ll make it fun. I promise.”
A part of me almost laughs. I don’t always get recognized because, let’s face it, athletes don’t hold the same celebrity that movie stars do. Plus, most of us aren’t all that attractive. We’re just normal-looking dudes with a highly specialized skill set. Often, I can slip under the radar. Most times, I prefer to—hence the sunglasses and hat. Though, my sunglasses are tucked into the collar of my hoodie currently.
I open my mouth to give this woman a polite refusal when Kenzie’s voice bounces off the bar.
“What exactly is going on here?” She storms up, an incensed look on her face. “Get—” Kenzie pries the woman’s fingers off me. “Get your hands off my husband.”
Then she faces me with a look of mischievous glee, waggling her eyebrows.
“That is…” Kenzie steps back, frowning at the two of us. “Was he flirting with you?” she asks the woman before flipping to me again. “Because we talked about this, Norbert! How are we supposed to make this arranged marriage work if your eye keeps wandering?”
A startled sound leaves my mouth open as Kenzie balls her hands on her hips.
“He absolutely did,” the woman says, leaning away.
What? I did no such—
“I knew it,” Kenzie says, pointing an accusing finger at me. “That’s it!” She closes my to-go box and pushes it to my chest. “We’re leaving this nice woman alone and going home to talk about this.”
I let Kenzie manhandle me until we’re far beyond the view of the bar, almost beside the road. Once we’re in the clear, she drops her hands from the small of my back and bursts into laughter. If I wasn’t so confused, I could actually enjoy the way her eyes look lit from within.
“Norbert?” I ask, forehead still wrinkled. “And why was I the adulterer in that situation?”
“I don’t know.” Kenzie shakes her head, gazing off. “It was like some weird fuse broke in my brain or something. I thought about my list and asked myselfWhat’s the last thing that quiet, boring Kenzie would do?” A breathy chuckle leaves her mouth. “I’dneverapproach a stranger and make a scene, so that’s what I did.”
