Page 13 of A Me and You Thing
“Hopefully, we’ll have a sighting today.” His voice was deep and rich, an attention catcher.
Between his eyes and his voice, my senses were tingling, every part of me on high alert. “A sighting?” I remember cringing because I sounded so clueless.
“Yeah, a whale sighting.”
“Yes, of course.” Seriously, I couldn’t even remember why I was there on the boat. I forgot everything except him. I was laser focused on this man I’d just met, like I’d been waiting my whole life for this moment.
Yep, my thoughts were that crazy. I don’t even remember when Bree quietly slipped away and left us. She always tells me, “Three was suddenly a huge crowd, so I disappeared.”
She did. She vanished without either of us realizing it, as though she vaporized into dust. That’s why she teases me about stealing Sawyer from her all the time. We were immediately taken with each other, and we literally forgot about her.
“I like your shirt,” Sawyer had said.
Bree gave it to me as a joke because I love to eat and I never diet. It said,I enjoy long romantic walks to the fridge.
“Thanks. Casual wear for a boat ride.” Somehow, I thought that one incomplete sentence explained that I don’t always walk around in t-shirts emblazoned with silly sayings. Not sure he got that, though.
“What else do you love?” he’d asked.
“World peace and a burger.” It was the first thing that came to my mind because it really said that on my Instagram profile. Yay for sarcasm. “Adirondack chairs, sunshine, and a smoothie.”
“Whoa. You just described my happy place.” He laughed, his white teeth sparkling in the sun and his blond hair whipping in the wind. His smile overtook his face from cheek to cheek. I was mesmerized. I wanted to go home and addI love huge smilesto my profile.
Once I got over myself, we talked for the next thirty minutes as he let his crew take over for him. Later, when I asked Bree where she went, she said she resorted to actually watching the whales. She told me it was ahh-mazing.
I never saw one that day.
I found something better. Two nights after that, Sawyer called and took me out to dinner. It was the start of a whirlwind courtship. I enjoyed numerous private whale sightings thereafter. In between kisses, that is, while standing on the deck of Sawyer’s boat, wrapped in his arms. I quickly learned that Sawyer and his boat were a package deal. The two were inseparable. One without the other didn’t exist. I fell in love with that aspect of Sawyer.
Eight magical months later, he proposed to me out on his boat—in the same spot we’d met—amidst a romantic candlelight dinner. We married with Bree standing at my side as my maid of honor. She forgave me for stealing her man during her short speech at our reception, making everyone laugh.
Since our marriage, one of our favorite dates is going out on his boat, just the two of us. We always sneak below deck for a little hanky-panky. What’s the use of owning your own boat if you can’t enjoy the benefits? I’m positive Josie and Jordyn were conceived out on the ocean, being lulled by the rhythmic waves, a first lullaby of sorts.
I smile at the thought, until Bree interrupts my reverie.
“I should get going, it’s a long drive.” Bree glances at her watch. “Your roast is calling to me, but I think I’ll just grab some dinner on the road.” She gives Josie and Jordyn each a kiss. “Hey, I know this is hard to believe, but they will survive without you, I promise. I mean, not for long, but they can handle two weeks. Their worlds will not end and life will go on.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
“Of course I’m right. I’m always right. Now buck up, Buttercup.”
I laugh and shake my head. Her brand of humor is not for everyone, but I adore her.
Bree takes her leave thirty minutes later and declines a second offer to stay for dinner. She has a long drive back to Portland. We hug as if it’s the last time we’ll see each other.
“Love ya, Bree.”
“Love you too. Enjoy your trip. I can’t wait to hear all about it when you get back. And thanks for everything, Quinn. You’re the bee in my bonnet that never stings me.”
“Thank you, I think.”
Chapter Five
Quinn
ONCE THE TWINS are fed, bathed, and tucked into bed, I spend a half hour sitting in the rocking chair, watching them sleep. They’re so adorable in repose, my precious little girls.
Two weeks. That’s all. Sawyer’s right. It’s not really that long in the scheme of things. I have been tired a lot lately, but that’s par for the course as a mother of little ones. I’m well aware that my oil is running low and it’s time to fill my vessel.
