She smiled. “They will?”
He grabbed her hand, pulling her after him.
They ran down the winding staircase and stopped beside a speedboat tethered to the dock. He let go of her hand, undid the rope, and put his foot along the side of the boat to hold it.
“Hop on.”
“I didn’t say I’d go.”
“You didn’t?”
“No.”
“Well you didn’t sayno.”
“So?”
“Exactly.”
“Exactly what? You aren’t seriously saying my not sayingnomeans I saidyes.”
“Look, I saw your face when I mentioned Sofia and Beatrice. You saidyes.”
“So, you’re a mind reader now?”
He thought a moment. “Yeah, that’s right. When it comes to you … I suppose I am.”
She was gritting her teeth, which made it difficult to hear what she muttered. But he paid close attention. And he got it.
“Man, that little prince has nothing on you.”
He narrowed his eyes, and she did likewise.
“Is this even your boat?” she demanded.
“No, I’m just going to borrow it.”
“You mean steal it.”
“No, I mean borrow. Now, come on already.” He paused. “Or maybe you’re only daring on the track when you’re behind the wheel.”
She scoffed. “You think using some kind of reverse psychology is going to get me onto that boat?”
“I don’t really think I need to get you on this boat because I think both you and I know you want to get on this boat.”
“Oh, we do, do we? Well in that case, why even bother with talking at all? Why not just channel your inner Neanderthal, haul me over your shoulder like a sack of potatoes, and throw me onto the boat?”
She crossed her arms and glared at him.
Was that an invitation? Or a challenge? Maybe both.
She doesn’t think I’d dare.
Suddenly, he got the uncomfortable feeling she’d read his thoughts just now.
In one quick move, he picked her up, slung her over his shoulder, and jumped on board.
Once he set her down, he turned his back to her with the intention of sitting behind the wheel and taking off.
