Page 53 of Unmoored

“But I think that’s a little over-the-top for him. So then I thought up…” he pauses for dramatic effect.

That just makes me think about Eden, and I smile.

“The love barge,” the guy dramatically finishes. And I can’t help my snort, because it’s even less impressive than when Eden does it.

“Do you know if anyone’s ever done this before? I Googled it and I couldn’t find anything. It would be great to be the world’s first love barge proposal.”

Okay, the guy seems like a bit of a dick, but he’s obviously putting himself under some crazy pressure to make this perfect—at the last minute, on the busiest day of the year in the harbour.

But it might just be the pressure he’s clearly putting himself under. Everyone’s stressed out when they need to move stuff across a harbour—or, apparently, rent a love barge.

“The only thing missing is a boat. I really need your help, man. Can I count on you? You’d be saving my life, I swear.”

Shit. I’m actually thinking it through now.

Eden did suggest tying our boats together. What if… what if I joined them after the job is done? I know that despite their teasing, my brothers will make him feel welcome. And Eden is good with people…andhe’s met half of them, at least…

“It would be such a big deal. Helping a same-sex couple get engaged, in front of everyone. The whole city,” the guy enthuses. “Making a fairytale dream come true.”

My brothers would be on board with that. I bet Eden would, too.

“There’s only one catch?—”

“Apart from it being Saturday,” I interject.

“Yeah. There’s just one catch,” he says like I didn’t say anything, and I roll my eyes. “I need to send over a nondisclosure agreement from my lawyer. Just to make sure the details stay completely secret. You know what the press is like.”

I actually do, but he’d never know that. I’m not about to tell him one of my best friends was a pretty famous hockey player, right up until medical retirement a couple years ago.

“Sure. I can keep secrets.”

That does mean not telling everyone why I’m suddenly taking a job on bathtub race day… but when they all watch it unfold, they’ll understand. I can just see the look on Eden’s face now.

He’ssothe type who loves love. And call me a sucker… but I guess I am, too.

The guy finally makes the hard sales pitch. “Can you help me out?” he asks and pauses, waiting for me to fill the silence.

Fuck. It’s working.

“I never do this,” I finally tell him slowly. “But for true love? I might make an exception.”

“Oh my god!” he exclaims. You’re a lifesaver! Oh, man. Just name your rate.”

The guy’s obviously loaded, so I could ask for double or triple the usual day hire rate. But I’m not going to exploit true love. Felix has told me all about how many places quietly inflate their prices at the first sniff of a wedding.

Before I can say a word, he carries on. “Ten times your rate? Paid upfront?” he asks, like he expects me to negotiate.

“I, uh—” I blink into space, shaking my head to clear my ears. “Huh?”

“Ten times, plus I’ll throw in a case of Cristal, eh? It’s the best champagne you’ve ever had, I tell you, man. You can toast us.”

I wasn’ttryingto hold out for more, but I guess I found another way that being strong and silent can be a perk. And we’re approaching my house now, so I’m running out of time to make a decision.

At ten times my rate, I could fix up Eden’s boat for the winter, even if he insists on living aboard.

Fuck. I think I just made up my mind.

“Hey. What’s your name?” I ask. “Or do I need to sign that NDA first?”

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