The ache in her chest spread, but it was bittersweet, mingling with the joy she felt with Everett and Kelsey. The sudden excitement of being back in the water and around her friends.
“I don’t know what to do.”
The words fell from her mouth quietly. She missed her father. His calm presence, his steady advice, on both ocean and land. Was it time to walk away from this makeshift family she’d grown attached to? Everett would open Purity and take Kelsey back to New York, leaving her behind. Was she strong enough to tell him the truth, with no guarantees?
There’d be no happy ever after for them. They lived different lives. But not sharing her feelings felt cowardly.
Wrong.
Tino smiled, his eyes gentle. “Yes you do, girl.” He bent back over the board, sanding again. “You can keep fighting the wave that’s already gone. Or you can turn and paddle for the one coming. Choice is yours.”
Rowan stilled. The truth echoed in the hollow space inside. Slowly, she nodded, then walked out of the shop.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Everett took in the restaurant with appreciation. Polished teak floors reflected the shimmer of tiki torches outside. Glass doors opened wide to let in the salt air and the sound of waves, but the seating stayed elevated above the sand, elegant without being pretentious. The glow of pendant lights cast a honey-colored warmth that softened every table.
It was the kind of place designed for people who wanted theillusionof barefoot freedom while keeping their feet clean—a perfect balance of luxury and local grit. Everett had to hand it to Purity’s competitor: They’d nailed it.
He held Rowan’s hand as they checked in with the hostess. He’d done a double take when he first saw her. Rowan’s strapless dress was short and flirty, the fabric a swirl of yellow and red flowers that nipped at the waist and flared above the knee. She’d twisted her thick hair into a low bun at her nape. Gold hoops adorned her ears. The shoes had a kitten heel in strappy red.
He’d given a low wolf whistle and almost kissed off her red lipstick. Everett had been ruined since her visit to his office. He might need to move if he wanted to get any work done without being haunted by the image of her on her knees in front of him.
Right now, he needed to impress, to confirm there was no doubt he was the man Wolfe wanted.
“You’re overthinking again.”
He looked down at her and smiled. “Guilty,” he admitted, tugging at his linen collar. “Not every day your boss shows up unexpectedly and invites you to drinks.”
“All your work will pay off. Tonight is about celebrating what you’ve already accomplished, not trying to impress, because you already did.” She squeezed his hand. The strength and warmth of her grip settled him. Everett had never had a partner by his side to share the ups and downs. Having Rowan here tonight meant more than he’d imagined.
“You in my head again?”
She tossed him a cheeky smile. “No, but there are places I’d love you to be in.”
He practically choked, and then the hostess led them out to the patio. “You’ll pay for that remark later,” he whispered, trying not to laugh.
Rowan winked. “Promises, promises.”
He hoped the dinner went by fast.
Wolfe and Genevieve were already seated and Gen waved them over.
She was tiny—maybe five feet in her sandals—with dark curls that bounced around a heart-shaped face and navy-blue eyes. When she smiled, it was with her whole body. “You must be Rowan! It’s so nice to meet you. And Everett? My husband is rare to praise but he hasn’t stopped talking about what a wonderful job you did at Purity.”
“Thank you, it’s an honor.”
They sat down, chatted a bit, and ordered cocktails. Wolfe went for a dark rum on ice, Gen a mango mojito, Everett whiskey neat, Rowan white wine. The waitress brought out pupus: ahi poke with avocado and soy, roasted macadamia nuts, grilled shrimp slicked with garlic butter.
Everett took in the scene, realizing he’d never been so relaxed in a setting that was technically business. Gen’s laughter had a way of loosening everyone’s shoulders. “I can’t believe you flew in yesterday and look so amazing,” Rowan offered with a smile. “You have two children?”
Gen speared a shrimp and cut Wolfe a mischievous look. “Yes, the girls are six and nine. They’re currently exhausting my parents at the resort. When I landed, Wolfe sent me directly for a massage and a long nap to reset. I think he has ulterior motives to make sure I have the perfect vacay.”
Rowan tilted her head curiously.
“Baby number three,” she confided. “But I keep telling him he’s delusional.”
“You love chaos,” Wolfe said mildly.
