3
Jake
When Saturday night finally came around, I grumbled loudly as I shoved myself into a suit, cursing Beckett the entire time. I couldn’t believe I was going through with this.
When Beckett first told me the plan for the required blind date, I’d laughed in his face, convinced he was pulling my leg. Beckett knew damn well I wasn’t the kind of guy to go for romance. Give me a club with loud music or a great bar any day. None of the sweet, swoony shit for me. But Beckett had only smirked and pointed to the line in the flyer indicating that a suit and tie would be required for the evening. He had signed my blind date and me up for a five-hour dinner cruise. Complete with slow dancing, candlelight dining, and an evening under the stars.
“It’s the only way I know you’ll see it through to the end,” he’d said when I tried to talk him into a different option. “Unless you decide you’d rather swim back to shore.”
“I'll still fuck him,” I’d snapped, feeling trapped.
Beckett had only rolled his eyes, as if he expected as much. “But only after you’ve been trapped on a boat with him for a few hours and gotten to know him a little.”
I’d had nothing to say to that because,fuck,he’d been right. Iwouldbe trapped on a boat with a total stranger.
I should’ve known Beckett wasn’t going to make this easy on me.Damn him.If ever there was a time I considered backing out of a bet, it was now. I knew Beckett would never let me live it down though, so I had to suck it up and participate.
I’d chosen the lighter gray suit, hoping it wouldn’t suffocate me in the hot, humid air. Thankfully there was a breeze, and the sun was already beginning to set, so I expected it to cool down soon.
I came to a stop by the stairs leading down to the docks, looking out over the marina. Even without the large company banner, it was easy to recognize the one I’d be on tonight. White lights decorated the rails and hung from the awning, creating a romantic ambience that, to anyone else, would have looked inviting. To me, however, the whole setup just made me cringe.
I could see four tables set up on the back deck, each draped in crisp white linens. Two of them were already occupied, and I could see a third couple dressed in nice eveningwear walking toward the boat.
My stomach tightened with anticipation as I looked around. The yacht was scheduled to leave port in less than fifteen minutes, yet there was no sign of my date. Had he decided not to show? Would Beck still consider my debt paid if I was stood up? No way was I going through this charade twice.
Just then, I saw someone in a dark suit coming from the opposite end of the docks, working his way back to the yacht. He appeared to have arrived early and went to enjoy the view before boarding. I couldn’t see him well in the dim light, but as soon as he stepped under the lamppost, my eyes widened. Just like the agenda for the night, my date was nothing at all what I’d expected Beckett to have chosen for me.
The man was simply stunning. Tall and lean, with longer, dark hair that fell to his jawline. There was an air of assurance in the way he carried himself: confident, yet cautious at the same time. He tugged at his tie before stepping on board, the only visible clue he was as nervous about this night as I was.
I had to admit I wasdefinitelyinterested.
I was greeted by the waitress as soon as I boarded the yacht and she led me to the table. My date stood as soon as he saw me and my body hummed with excitement. While he had been pleasing to look at from a distance, he was downright breathtaking up close. He had a long, narrow nose, defined jawline, and incredible eyes, which were a unique shade of dark blue, like the sky in the final moments before the light fades.
“You must be Jacob,” he said with an outstretched hand.
Oh fuck, Sexy Eyes has an accent too!
I managed to shake his hand but didn’t let go right away. “Yeah, Jake Thompson. I’m sorry. My friend didn’t tell me your name.”
“Oh. It’s CJ Reyes, but everyone calls me Reyes or Rey.” I didn’t miss the slight hesitation when he said his name, though I wasn’t sure what caused it.
“Reyes.” I smiled. “That suits you.”
As we each took a seat, he smiled and reached for the wine glass, shifting it slightly on the plain tablecloth. I hadn’t been wrong earlier. He was just as nervous about our blind date as I was, despite how outwardly confident he appeared. Knowing that helped me relax.
A waitress came to refill our glasses as the boat began to leave the dock, and we listened patiently as she explained the events of the night. There wasn’t a menu because everyone was being treated to the captain’s choice tonight: lobster tail with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and a spring salad.
“Dinner will be served in about a half hour,” the waitress told us.
“Gracias,”Reyes said.
We each picked at the bread the waitress had left for us, listening to the hum of the engine below. Reyes truly was beautiful, with thick, perfectly sculpted eyebrows accenting his eyes and he had full lips, which I hoped to taste before the night was over.
“So, have you lived in Reedsport long?” I asked.
“No. I got in about a week ago.”
I was careful to hide my surprise. “You don’t live here?” I clarified. If he didn’t, how did Beckett know him?
