Page 2 of Deep Waters
Chief Garcia briskly shook hands with us in turn, no doubt already mentally writing her report. “I always appreciate our volunteers.”
“Happy to help,” I said, finally able to smile.
Zach flung an arm around my shoulders, the warmth of his simple touch enough to rip me from the past, centering on the problems in my present.
“Dawkins, how about a cup of coffee on me at Harbor Brews to celebrate a successful rescue?” He glanced at James Cox, our third volunteer. “You too, Cox.”
“I gotta get back to my boat. I’m still headed out fishing.”
I took a deep breath. There was no time like the present. “Coffee sounds good. I have some news.”
I couldn’t keep Simon’s secret any longer. Part of our deal was that the minute he left the Air Force, I could tell Zach everything. I glanced at Zach from beneath my lashes. Would he be shocked by our breakup? Disappointed? He’d been friends with both of us almost longer than I could remember.
Simon took off at eighteen and joined the Air Force, rising quickly through the ranks. Zach and I had stayed in the San Juan Islands. Sleepy Friday Harbor suited me. Zach had his business, Harbor Brews, and I had my work at my family’s marine shop. Following Simon from base to base was a non-starter from the beginning.
Zach smiled at Isa, the barista who worked for him on weekends, and slipped behind the counter, making up a vanilla latte for me anda drip coffee for him. Bypassing the line was a privilege that came with ownership.
The coffee shop slash bookstore slash bar was one of my favorite spots on the island. Used and new books lined the shelves, and small tables and cozy chairs were sprinkled throughout the airy space. Somehow, Zach had infused Harbor Brews with his easy charm, making everyone feel an instant sense of belonging. Even me.
He approached, a mug in each hand. His dimples flashed. Successful rescues left their own residue of relief and elation, which only added to the mix of fear and freedom swirling in my chest. The secret part of me that had been in love with him forever melted, leaving me welded to the soft velvet chair in a jittery mess.
Zach Fenwick couldget it.
Noting the admiring glances of a table of thirty-somethings in the corner, my lip twitched. And he knew it, too. Dimples for days, a wink that made me smile instead of roll my eyes, broad shoulders, a body that looked sleek and powerful in his SAR shirt and navy cargo pants.
He managed to look both sexy and competent at the same time. Even when he let his dark scruff grow for No-Shave November and had a ridiculous mustache that he twirled between his strong fingers. Even when, like today, his coffee-colored hair was shaggy and in need of a cut. Messy or polished, he was catnip for women everywhere.
Most of the town wrote him off as the unserious Fenwick brother. His older brother Drew, who dutifully ran the rest of the Fenwick family interests, made anyone else seem flighty by comparison. But Zach had carved out his own business niche with Harbor Brews, independent of his family. Part of me envied his freedom.
By comparison, I felt like I faded into the backdrop at Harbor Brews. Another book on the shelf. Quiet. Unassuming. But secrets most would never guess lurked behind the innocent cover.
“A vanilla latte for my Captain.” Zach set the latte down on the small table at my elbow, claiming the chair across from me. “Cheers to a successful rescue.”
I clinked my mug with his, smiling as I blew to cool my coffee.
“So, what’s this news you teased me with?” Zach asked easily, eyes calm.
There was no more hiding.
“Simon and I broke up.”
It was the first time I’d said it aloud. And it felt fucking fantastic. Like invisible chains dropping to the floor. Like sailing with the wind,Sailor Swiftcutting through the water perfectly. Sweet, sweet freedom.
Zach blinked. “This is … unexpected. How are you doing?” he asked cautiously.
“Fucking phenomenal.” Even saying the words felt freeing. Until the edge of fear crept in. I know how Iwantedhim to react. But how often did you really get what you wanted in life?
Chapter 2 – Zach
Everything after “Simon and I broke up” turned to white noise. I tried to focus on Rae’s next words, but my heart beat so loudly in my ears that it was hard to hear over my racing pulse.
Fucking finally.I wasn’t sure it’d ever happen. She and Simon seemed content to float along, seeing each other once a year, and it made me batshit. She deserved better. I loved Simon. But I hated the way he treated Rae. Like she was disposable. Unimportant. Not the woman he loved and should worship with every breath in his body.
I absorbed her tone more than her words. Rae seemed at peace. Odd since she and Simon had been a couple for the better part of a decade. I’d been bracing myself for an engagement announcement with Simon slated to leave the service. So, what changed?
“I’m glad you’re okay,” I said, covering her knee. The friendly squeeze, something I’d done a hundred times before, felt different this time. Like the whopper I told myself to ignore my real feelings. “I really thought you were going to tell me you’re engaged.”
I winced, wishing I could call the words back. The last thing I wanted was to upset her if she was sensitive about her breakup.
