Page 60 of One Night Bride
I nodded, though he couldn’t see me. “So, I’m asking for a huge favor to try to make things right. Can I rent your boat tonight?”
“My boat? Sure. I don’t use it for business anymore. Are you sure, though? That thing isn’t exactly good looking. It’s more like a deep-sea-fishing boat.”
“If it runs, I’ll take it.”
“Tell you what. You can swing by my office and pick up the keys anytime. It’s yours for the night. No rental fee since you’re doing me a favor by running it.”
I fist-pumped the air, getting an odd stare from the lady behind the check-in desk. “Thank you. You don’t know what this means to me.”
Rip laughed again. “Man, you have no idea the coordination it took to win Hazel back. I literally had the whole town turn out. Renting my boat isn’t a big deal.”
I frowned. “Well, crap. Maybe I should be thinking bigger.”
“Nah. Hazel needed a big show. Esme probably needs something else. You know your girl better than anyone. I wish you luck.”
“Thanks, man.”
We hung up, and I got busy making more calls before I texted Esme back.
Me:Can you meet me at the marina at seven?
The three little dots appeared immediately.
Esme:Sure, but I’ll be back in town in a half hour.
Me:Seven. Marina. Dress warm.
Esme:I’m looking forward to it…
I stood up and did a little two-step out of the B & B, earning me some stares and a few whistles of appreciation. Everything was turning out perfectly. By tonight, Esme and I would be back on.
Esme
I raced home from the airport, scaring the life out of Izzy when I charged through the front door.
“What happened?”
I ran through the house and lugged the suitcase up the stairs. She followed me, probably thinking the worst.
“He texted me when I got on the plane,” I huffed, dropping the suitcase on the bed. “He’s here in Auburn Hill. So I got off.”
Izzy clapped her hands with a squeal and jumped on the bed. “So, what’s the plan? Where is he?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know yet. He just said to meet him at the marina at seven.” I stripped off the sundress and went looking for a pair of jean shorts and a sweater.
“Oh my God. He flew here to meet you and you were flying there to meet him. This is like one of those sappy romantic movies you watch.”
I shoved my legs one by one into my shortest cutoff jean shorts. “I know. But I still have to do this right, Izzy. I have to make sure he knows he’s top priority.”
Izzy sat forward. “You posted the video, right?”
I nodded, ignoring the dip in my stomach. “I did.”
“And?”
I pulled an off-the-shoulder colorful blouse on. “And what? I haven’t looked. I even turned on that social media blocker app so I can’t look at any of them.”
Izzy smiled calmly. “I’m proud of you. You’re making changes and he’ll see that. I know he will.”
