She shimmied out of her sundress and applied sunscreen with some help from me. We listened to the quick safety lecture from Samu.
“And there’s already a picnic blanket and basket on the beach for you. I’ll be back in four hours to get you. Just leave your clothes here, and we’ll keep them safe for you.”
With our fins and masks in place, we sat on the edge of the boat. Saylor went in first and once she was clear of the side, I joined her with a big splash. We swam a safe distance back, and Samu waved as he slowly motored away.
And then we were alone.
We held hands as we swam along the surface of the water. Technicolor fish darted under us, twirling into the coral and seaweed. Saylor pointed out a bright blue starfish on top of the pale coral. I couldn’t see much of her face, but I was pretty sure she was grinning the entire time. I know I was.
It was amazing and magical, and I was exhausted by the time we waded to the shore.
Exhausted but full of anticipation.
Saylor shivered, goosebumps breaking out over her body as the breeze picked up a little. I grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her small frame. Raising up on her toes, she pressed a quick kiss against my cheek.
“Thank you, Daddy.”
I groaned and dropped my head down onto hers. “Fuck me. And here I thought you’d want to eat first.”
“Who says I don’t?” She blinked innocently up at me, her eyelashes and hair wet from our swim.
I groaned again. “Come on. I need some fuel if I’m ever going to keep up with you.” I swatted her rear, and she squealed. “Let’s see what they’ve put in the ole picnic basket.”
While we munched on sandwiches, we talked about anything and everything.
“What do you need to go all in on your clothing designs?”
Saylor rolled her eyes. “Money. Connections. Experience. All things I don’t have. I mean, I guess I could go back to school and make some connections while I get another degree, but that also requires money I don’t have. I took out a student loan to pay for this trip.”
“I think you’re selling yourself short. You have experience. All the outfits I’ve seen are fucking awesome. You can always work for someone else at first. I bet if you put together a portfolio, you could get a job in no time.”
“But all the best jobs are in New York or LA, which again requires money I don’t have to get there, let alone survive once I’m there.”
“I happen to know someone with money, connections, and a place in LA that you could probably use. He might want some quid pro quo in return though.” I leered comically at her to lessen the huge step I was proposing.
Living together?
Did I seriously just put that out there?
Saylor rolled her eyes like I was teasing her. “What about you? What are you going to do when you get back?”
I paused for a second at the switch in topic then let her have it. I wasn’t exactly ready to examine my feelings about the way she’d just blown off my offer to live with me.
“You mean when I get back to my band that’s splintering?” I sighed and stretched out on my side. This wasn’t a fun topiceither. “I don’t know. I could try to start my own thing, but honestly, that doesn’t appeal—starting over, I mean. We worked so hard and for so long to get the band the attention we wanted. I love what we’ve built, and I kinda feel like anything else would feel like a cop out facsimile. I don’t get why Leif would just chuck it all for his own ego trip. He’s already the lead singer—what else does he fucking need?”
Saylor shrugged like I’d made her a little uncomfortable. Maybe I was yelling a bit at the end of my tirade.
“Sorry. Still pisses me off.” My fingers traced a path in the sand on the edge of the blanket. “And I don’t know what’s going on with Gio. He hasn’t returned any of my texts. Beau is wrapped up with his new bride. Ryker has also gone underground, so I don’t know what the fuck is going on with him. Everything’s just gone so fucking nuts.”
Saylor laughed humorlessly. “Tell me about it.”
“You have your own place figured out when you get home?”
She shrugged. “I stashed my stuff at Paige’s place before I left. I might move in with her. I’m definitely not staying at our old apartment since his bookie knows where that is.”
“Paige sounds like the smart and safe move.”
Saylor moved her shoulders restlessly. “My mom is still pressuring me to make up with Trent. She’s sent me a few texts.”
