Page 34 of Hooked on a Feeling

“Full disclosure? Yes, I have. But only because I believe in it. I would invest more if I had the ability. This is exactly what Blue needs, and since we’re so well-known, we will help drive this fucker to the top.”

“Have you done a cost-benefit analysis?”

“Yeah. It’s all on my spreadsheet. But I knew if Dad kept working, this would never see the light of day. Now that we know he’s legit leaving, I can answer any questions you have.”

“Let’s wait until the announcement, but between you and me, I am on board with this. I don’t want to say or do anything to make waves. I want me in the captain’s chair first. Then we plow ahead. Deal?”

Jersey stuck his hand out. “Deal.”

John held on to his brother’s hand and turned it so he could fully see the new ink. It was an anchor with a rope tied around it. The rope dropped down to a naked woman who was on her knees—the rope covering her chest and pussy. “That’s ballsy of you. But it looks great.”

“Yeah, thanks. Belle tried to talk me out of it. She thought it looked too much like her.”

John glanced at the woman in the tattoo. He could see the resemblance. “How is Belle doing? Haven’t seen her much lately.”

“She’s been busy. But she’s good.” Jersey started walking off and turned at the last second. “Thanks, bro.”

John nodded. This I can handle. He made one vow—that he would never be the closed-minded boss his dad had always been.

Chapter Thirteen

“From my assessment, four out of the fifteen dock slips are unusable at this point. You’d need some pylons and concrete under the water to fix the two. The rest are fine except for minor problems. I can fix those right now for you, and they’ll be ready tonight.” Timmy, the contractor Deanne had sent over, shrugged and waited for Starr’s response.

The morning sun was beating down on them, blazing hot as hell, and she knew she’d have to take a swim to cool off before it even hit eleven. She took a long swallow of her water, assessing how much she could afford to pay the man. Deanne had said the contractor owed her a favor, but that didn’t mean it was a cashless favor to Starr. “How much?”

He blew a small whistle of air out of his mouth. “You’re talking a huge overhaul. For those two docks, all of that size, you’re talking over ten thousand, probably. It’s weird that it’s only happening to your largest ones.”

“Why do you think that is? The boats that parked at those docks were too heavy? We rented out the slips without checking weight?”

“Maybe. Do you know who installed those docks? Could be a contractor issue. Know when they were put in?”

Starr had a flash of memory. Her grandfather was standing in the same spot as they were now, watching workmen with cranes extend the marina out so larger boats could park inside the slips of the new docks. “Five years ago? Six, maybe.”

He shrugged. “Might be worth having an insurance estimator come out and see what’s what. Could be damage caused by weather or could be they were never built correctly to begin with.”

She squinted. The sun reflecting off the water was dazzling, making it hard to see. “I can manage that.” Her stomach hardened at the thought of her parents letting the insurance lapse. Shit. No. Please don’t let that have happened. “Thanks, but I really meant how much for you to start work today?”

Timmy put his hands up. “No charge. Deanne and I go way back, and I owe her a favor. She made it very clear that this was the favor I had to repay.”

“I can’t accept that. I better call Deanne.”

“You could. Or you could let Deanne do what she wants. I don’t know how long you’ve known her, but she doesn’t give up when she wants something. If it makes you feel any better, the repairs I’m going to do for these couple slots aren’t much. I’ll get them done and be on my way.”

“I—”

Timmy put his hands up. “Seriously, it’s not enough to argue about. Once I fix them, you’ll be able to rent them out along with everything else except the slips at the four big docks. Time is money. I’ll go grab my tools.”

Before she could stop him, Timmy was heading back to his work truck, and she was left standing alone, feeling overwhelmed by gratitude. This was such a wonderful community, unlike home where everyone seemed too busy with their own lives to lend a helping hand. Starr watched two stand-up paddleboards make their way across the harbor. How hard would it be to do yoga on one of those? With all the painting she still had to do, she didn’t have time to figure that out now.

She made her way up from the docks and quickly got back to work, imagining what it would be like to live here and make this place her own. The marina could surely be something to be proud of, just the way she was proud of her yoga studio. And there was a lot to love in Emerald Port. Sun. Sand. Water. Not to mention her friendship with John.

While she moved on to the back of the building, memories continued to flood her. She couldn’t get this place out of her system—or the idea that she could make it new again. She started to climb the ladder she’d propped against the building. Once she was done painting the trim around the windows, she was going to find a paddleboard and try water yoga.

AquaYoga.

The name already had a nice ring to it.

“Don’t freak out. I’m right behind you.”

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