Page 70 of Sail Away with Me

Sail warned her the water could be rough, and if it was, they’d head back to the bay. Once they got out there though, the sea was calm and welcoming. He turned the navigation system on, and then they sat and enjoyed the day. Their lunch had been perfect, but the day was simply better in her mind because they were together.

“What are you thinking?” she asked him.

His hand rested on her bare hip, his thumb lazily making circles on her skin. “That had I not messed up so epically badin September, I wouldn’t know you. Being suspended has been a god send, in many ways. It helped me get sober and find you.”

“I wasn’t lost,” she said quietly.

“I was, so maybe you showed me how to find my way back. You’ve given a glimmer of hope for the future. Our future.”

Galvin tried to mask the unease she felt when Sail said future. She didn’t see one for them, at least not right away. He had to finish school and needed to figure out what he wanted to do with the rest of his life. She already had her path and wasn’t going to let anyone stand in the way of it.

“I know what you’re thinking.”

“What’s that?” she asked.

“That me thinking about our future is ridiculous. Deep down, I know it is, but I’m hopeful we’ll at least remain friends. I will be back here, regardless.”

Galvin nodded and wanted to change the subject. “What’s your favorite color?”

Sail smiled. “Blue. Yours?”

“I like pink and yellow. But it has to be the right color yellow. Not bright or orange like the sun?—”

“Buttery?”

She smiled. “Yes, exactly.” Galvin adjusted and rested her head on her hand, her elbow pushing into her pillow. The blanket covering her naked body, shifted, exposing her breast.

Sail couldn’t resist and cupped her breast, massaging it. She closed her eyes and welcomed the sensation coursing through her body. Her eyes shot open when Sail removed his hand.

“That felt nice.”

“For me too,” he told her. “But I’d rather play twenty questions.”

“Oh.”

“And then we’ll play doctor or something.”

“Doctor?”

Sail shrugged and pulled the blanket toward her chin, laughing. Galvin rolled her eyes.

“What’s your favorite childhood memory?” Sail asked.

“Hiking with my dad,” she told him. “It was something we started after my mom died to cope with sadness. We’d find new places to explore every weekend, and I used to point out flowers, which were probably weeds, and tell my dad how much mom would’ve loved it.”

“I’m sorry you lost your mom. I can’t imagine.”

Galvin lifted her shoulder slightly. “It’s been so long I barely remember her. Sometimes, I think about her and everything she’s missed or is going to miss. My dad, though, he always made sure I knew how much she loved me.”

Sail leaned over and kissed her, soft and sweet.

“What’s the weirdest dream you’ve ever had?”

Sail exhaled loudly. “Um . . . I was a tree, but I could walk. It was after I binged theLord of the Ringstrilogy.”

Galvin laughed. “That’s a good series.”

“Yeah, you like fantasy?”

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