Page 12 of Deep Waters
“Yeah. Sorry again.” My words came out rusty.
I twisted off the water, putting distance between us. Avoiding looking at him. I didn’t need the swirl of confusing feelings this sweet version of Zach produced.
“Nah, I probably needed that cold shower this morning.”
He said it easily, and my gaze flashed to his, sure I’d see the usual self-deprecating humor there. Except his eyes were dark with something I couldn’t quite name.
“Can you meet me for lunch today? I still owe you tacos for helping withNauti By Nature’sengine issues. Plus, we can go over the kids’ camp schedule. There are a couple of days when I need to cover Isa at Harbor Brews in the afternoon. We might need to ask Gran to pick the kids up if you can’t get away from work.”
“Sure,” I said, still lightheaded. Desperately, I gathered my mug to my chest, cautiously taking a sip. The sweet dark brew hit me.
His smile spread, deepening the dimples in each cheek. Why I was fascinated with the man’s cheek muscles remained a mystery. After years of friendship, I should have been immune.
“Great. I’m going to shower and head out. I’ll see you at the harbor at noon?”
I dipped my chin.
He lifted his mug in a silent salute and headed for the stairs. His bare feet and plaid pajama pants disappeared from view in slow, confident strides.
If I watched every step, it was only because my coffee hadn’t kicked in yet. Not because I was stuck on how domesticated Zach seemed. Making me coffee. Setting up lunch plans. All friendly. So why were my knees still jelly?
Chapter 6 – Zach
Rae looked up from her phone as I joined her in front of the taco shop. Her short-sleeved blue cotton coveralls left her arms bare, revealing her strong forearms. The fabric hugged her hips, making it impossible to miss her feminine figure beneath the workmanlike uniform.
Her hair was plaited back from her face in one of those complicated braids women loved, but a sneaky tendril had still popped free. Secretly, I always cheered that strand on. It hinted at the Rae that made an appearance only rarely—the silly, bubbly side of her nature that was often subdued by work and her responsibilities.
“Hey.” I leaned in to graze her cheek and that rebellious curl with a quick kiss.
She froze, making me regret my impulsive gesture. Casually touching Rae wasn’t new. But doing it when I knew she was single was different. Even if it was the kind of kiss I could have given my gran.
I forced a smile to cover the awkwardness. “Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you. Do you want your usual?”
She nodded, still mute, and I turned to Tony to hide my grimace. “Two quesabirria taco plates and two Diet Cokes, please.”
I paid for our meals and joined Rae, who was watching the interisland ferry unload. Slowly, the boat disgorged walk-on passengers andcars making the trip from Orcas Island. Sunlight rippled on the water, making me glad I’d remembered my sunglasses.
“How’s your day going? Did you have to recalibrate the fluxgate compass on Josie’s boat when you changed the oil?”
Rae’s face split into a grin. “Only if I wanted her to navigate directly into a sandbar.” She patted my chin. “You’re cute when you try to ask me mechanical questions. Navigation is all electronic. Nice try, though.”
“It’s almost like I own a sailboat,” I said, deadpan.
She snorted, her chuckle gentle. She nudged me with her shoulder. “That would carry more weight if you didn’t have a mechanic on retainer that you pay in tacos.”
“Order up for Zach.”
We stepped to the pickup window.
“Thanks, Tony.”
Rae and I walked to a table outside Harbor Brews. I devoured my tacos in ten big bites, leaving me time to watch Rae as she nibbled daintily at her lunch. The quesabirria was delightfully messy, sending her through multiple napkins in her futile attempt to keep grease off her chin.
We chatted through the schedule for the next few weeks, agreeing that asking Gran to help with pickup was the lesser of evils. On days I had training runs with Lee, I usually stayed at Harbor Brews longer. My eighty-something grandmother was a local legend. And pain in the ass. But she was family. I didn’t question Rae about her reluctance to ask her sister-in-law. Her brothers were absolute tools in high school. Any woman who could put up with one of them full-time was either a saint or seriously deluded.
Will Guzman shouldered open the door to Harbor Brews, hands full with a carry tray of coffees to take back to the firehouse. Hegrinned when he spotted us, but I noticed his attention was mostly on Rae.
“Yo, Rae. Zach. Good to see you. Are you coming to the high-angle rescue drill next month? Chief Garcia wants us to clock some hours with the new basket.” He winked at Rae. “I’ve always wanted you to play my damsel in distress. Word is, you’re single now. That right, Dawkins?”
