Page 35 of Swept Up In You

As they spoke, Larry edged his way back around the counter. “I’ll be in the second hand section looking at the…uh…anchors.”

Jase leaned over the counter conspiratorially, Sam’s eyebrow raised as she followed suit.

“I think Pops wants to not-so-subtly set us up,” he said in a playful whisper.

“Ah.” It all made sense now. He didn’t usually bringanyoneinto the shop except Dave.

“So… help me out and let me take you to brunch tomorrow morning? Wouldn’t want to disappoint the old fella.” He gave her a genuine, if not slightly pleading, smile.

Her thoughts went straight to Taylor again. After last night, things definitely felt… well,differentbetween them. When they’d been alone in the car on the way home, she couldn’t get the words out to talk about it, even if she’d tried. Thinking back to her reactions to Taylor’s touches again had the heat creeping up her neck just at the thought. Then she remembered she’d been asked a question. She cleared her throat.

“You don’t beat around the bush.” She looked towards the back of the shop and exhaled slowly. “I guess a coffee couldn’t hurt.”

“Great, thank you.” He rapped his hands on the counter. “How about nine thirty at the café by the marina?”

“Sounds good to me. I do like their toasties.”

Larry chose that moment to come back, hands full with an assortment of screws he dumped into the scales bucket.

“What are those for?” Jase peered into the container.

“You’re helping me put the new rail on.”

“I thought we were installing the mini dishwasher you just bought?”

“Oh, that too. Don’t worry,” he said, patting Jase on the shoulder. “There’s alwaysplentyto do on the boat.”

“Damn straight,” Sam agreed, putting the sale through. “Keeps us in business.” She winked.

“Speaking of, has Taylor been in to order everything for my service?”

She walked over to the computer and pulled up their order tracker. “Let me see.”

She found Taylor’s order and saw the delivery had come in on Friday afternoon.

“Yep, all on schedule. I’ll let Taylor know it’s all in so you can get the boat back out soon for another trip.”

“Excellent, thanks Sam-I-Am. Until next time.” With a quick nod and a wave, he was out of the door, with Jase hurrying to keep up behind him.

“See you tomorrow morning!” He flashed her a quick grin before the door shut behind them both. What had she just signed herself up for? She shot off a quick text to Alex to fill her in, then called Taylor.

“Hey.”

“Hey yourself.” Suddenly shy, she almost forgot why she was calling in the first place.

“What’s up?”

“Right! Yes. Quick courtesy call to let you know Larry’s parts are ready for pick up.”

“Oh.” Was that slight disappointment in her tone? “Cool, thanks for letting me know. I’ll be in on Monday,” she replied.

“Totally fine.” Her phone vibrated against her ear. “Oop, hang on a tic.”

Alex 10:48am:Tell me everything! Also, mini-golf Tues night? Will is keen.

“Timing! My friend Alex just messaged. While I’ve got you, would you be free for that mini-golf session I mentioned Tuesday night?”

“Very keen. If you’re as competitive as you were at board games, I can’t wait to see what you’re like at mini-golf.”

---