Page 10 of Faking It at Sea

She arched a brow. “You still ride motorcycles though?”

“Yep. I kind of have to since I build custom bikes for a living.”

June’s sad expression lifted. “Seriously? That sounds like fun.”

We spent the rest of dinner swapping stories. She told me about her work and her family, and how she loved to run but didn’t sign up for races because she never knew where she’d be from week to week. I told her about my life, what it was like building custom bikes, and I might have talked a little too much about Finley, my fireball of a blue heeler, but that little monster was the light of my life.

“That is one thing I feel like I’m missing out on,” she said. “I would love to have a dog, but when I get called out on an emergency, I never know if I’ll be gone for a day or a month. That wouldn’t be fair to them.”

“Is that why you volunteer at the rescue place on weekends?”

She nodded. “I tried volunteering at an animal shelter, but it was just too heartbreaking. I wanted to take them all home with me. With the wildlife, that part is a little easier, at least. Seeing what happens to them when they’ve been caught in a trap always hits me right here though.” She touched a spot on her chest just over her heart, and my fingers twitched, longing to reach out and caress that same spot.

My initial attraction to the woman was enough to knock me off balance, but the more I got to know her, the more irresistible she became.

“I think that’s enough about me.” She cupped her empty glass in her hands. “I’m sorry if I talked your ear off. I swear, I’m not usually this chatty.”

“I have enjoyed every moment,” I said, and I meant it.

June was genuine, engaging, and kindhearted. The fact that she shifted between funny, serious, teasing, and thoughtful so easily kept me on my toes the whole evening. And when she smiled at me, it was like she was shining a warm light on a place inside me that hadn’t seen the sun in over ten years. Not since my accident.

She let out a sigh and turned to survey the restaurant. “We should probably get going.”

“Am I wearing you out already?” I teased.

“You’re adorable. I’m a runner, remember? I’ve got all kinds of stamina.” She dropped me a playful wink. “But it’s getting late. I really should check in with Missy.”

I shot a glance toward the dining room and realized she was right. The steakhouse had been bustling with wait staff when we’d arrived, the air filled with the low hum of quiet conversations held over dinner. Now, it was just us and two other tables lingering in the dim light. “Yeah. Of course.”

Once we were out in the corridor, I gave in to the urge to ask, “Can I walk with you to your deck, or would that be weird?” I could pretend it was for her safety, and maybe it was, in part. The other part, though, was pure, selfish desire. I wasn’t ready for the night to end.

She inched her head from one side to the other, weighing her options. “That depends. Are you sure about this whole fake dating thing?”

No, I wasn’t. In fact, a tendril of dread swirled deep in my chest at the thought of faking anything with June. I already wanted her in a very real way, but I nodded anyway. “Absolutely. It’s a win for us both.”

She might not have anything to lose, but if we were going to do this, I needed to do a better job of protecting myself from her bewitching personality.

“In that case, yes, I would love for you to escort me to my deck. It’s a very old school thing to do, and I’m a sucker for old school manners,” she confessed.

“Good to know.” I would be filing that little detail away for later use. We walked in silence for several minutes before I asked, “What time should I pick you up for our excursion tomorrow?”

She stared at me like she had no idea what I was talking about.

“Back at the bar, you said I was taking you on an ATV tour of Nassau. I’m thinking it would be a convincing second date, unless you have other plans?”

Her brow lifted in surprise. “I’m impressed you remembered my little lie.”

I was pretty sure my memory of this night would be crystallized in my mind long after I’d forgotten my own name. “If you’re not up for it...” I taunted.

She rolled her eyes. “Please.”

The elevator dinged, and we stepped on together. There was a part of me that wanted to keep prodding, to goad her into agreeing, but we’d both been drinking. Maybe it was best not to push.

I pulled in a breath and let it out slowly. “I was kidding, anyway. I’m sure you have other things to do on day two of your first cruise.”

In the polished reflection of the sliding doors, I watched June pull her bottom lip between her teeth. Was she really considering it? And if she was, was I even up for it? When I mentioned I stuck to paved roads, I meant it. I hadn’t been on a dirt bike, four-wheeler, ATV, or even a mountain bike since the accident that altered the course of my life.

She didn’t say a word, not even when the elevator doors hissed open. She also didn’t move.

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