Page 22 of Sail Away with Me

Sail opened the door to the diner minutes after his cousin Penny unlocked the door. The bell chimed and he called out. “It’s just me, Penny.”

Only, it wasn’t Penny who came out of the kitchen, it was Galvin. She yawned as their gazes met and she quickly closed her mouth.

Galvin looked tired, but gorgeous. Sail, in fact, had a crush on her. Even though he knew he should stay far away from her. Someone like her didn’t need the baggage he came with.

“Morning,” he said as he sat down at the counter. “I didn’t expect to see you here this morning.” He’d hoped though, which was why he was there instead of eating breakfast with his parents and brothers. Never mind, his father hadn’t looked at him much since he’d come clean about screwing up at school. The tension at home was his fault and the less time he spent there when everyone was awake was for the better.

“Do you ever eat at home?”

Her question caught him off guard. Was she sick of seeing him? He hoped not and nodded slowly. “Yes. My mom is a very good cook.” Sail had no idea why he offered the last bit of information.

“Do you cook?”

Sail started to shake his head but stopped. “I can cook, but I don’t. I lived in a frat house, and no one really cooks. We just fend for ourselves or eat at one of the places on campus.”

She eyed him. Was she suspicious of him? Or just tired.

Tired, definitely.

“Coffee?”

“No, thanks.”

“Do you mind if I have some?” Galvin poured herself a cup, added cream, sugar, and took a drink. Sail stared, watching her close her eyes as the warm liquid trailed down her throat. Hewas jealous of the coffee and the mug she held tightly between her hands.

Galvin took another sip, set the mug down, and cleared her throat. “Do you need a menu?”

“Nah,” Sail said, shaking his head. “I know what I want.”

Galvin pulled the pad from the of her apron and motioned for him to order.

“Three eggs, over easy. Sausage and bacon.”

“Home fries?”

“No thanks. I’m working later and trying to make it to lunch. If I eat carbs, I want to eat again in two hours. If I’m out on a tour, it doesn’t look too good if the guide is stuffing his face with the snacks meant for the guests.”

“Okay.”

Galvin didn’t entertain his reasoning. She ripped the chit from the pad and stuck it on the wheel for the cook, and then left Sail to sit there. Instead of asking her for a Coke, he got up, went around the counter, and got his own.

“What are you doing?” Galvin ran back to where he was. She took the glass from him and finished filling it. “Please go sit.”

Before he turned away, he saw her wipe at her face.

“Hey,” Sail said softly, trying to get her attention. “What’s wrong?”

“Can you please go sit?”

He did as she asked but was confused. His family owned the restaurant. Surely, she knew he was allowed to go behind the counter and help himself. Sail didn’t get a chance to explain himself—if that was the issue—because she refused to look at him.

Sail counted the seconds until the line cook yelled, “Order up.”

Galvin added the necessary garnishes and carried Sail’s plate to him.

“Hey,” he said as his hand held her wrist. Their eyes met. He told himself if she flinched or moved in the slightest, he’d let go. But right now, he enjoyed the way his fingers felt against her skin. Mostly, he could feel her pulse increase.

Slowly, her eyes met his. Her eyelids fluttered, but her orbs screamed torment. Sail gently let go of her wrist, but left his hand near hers, enjoying the pull he felt toward her. “What’s wrong?”

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