Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 79190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
He wasn’t even sure she wanted to spend time with him, though, until she muttered that she missed him. Once she had said those words, he wanted to get them both out of Diego’s and made up some excuse about her being tired.
Dune had walked Caroline home under the moonlight, neither of them speaking until they reached her doorstep. The porch light casted an orange glow on her face. She was, quite simply, the most radiant, breathtaking sight he had ever seen. During the day when the sunlight caught in her hair, it made it shine like spun gold. Her eyes, like two bright jewels, pierced his soul and set his heart afire. And her curves . . . Dune had trouble keeping his hands to himself.
They had said their goodbyes at her front door that night and he leaned in slightly as if to kiss her, but stopped himself at the last moment. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning,” he said kissing her cheek instead. Caroline smelled good, like vanilla and honey with a mix of suntan lotion.
Dune’s phone chimed, pulling him from his reverie. He looked at the message from Speed and typed his response, letting him know he’d be there shortly. He sighed heavily and turned toward his father. Could Jack tell that Dune liked Caroline?
Probably.
Jack shook his head and laughed. Then he pointed toward the other room where Pearl was. “She knows about this mystery woman,” he said in a hushed tone.
Dune rolled his eyes. He was about to yell for her to come back to the kitchen when she came strolling in carrying a stack of hand towels.
“I’m leaving,” he told her.
“What about breakfast?” she asked.
“I gotta run. The guys are waiting for me at the dock.”
“Let him go, Pearl. He’s not going to tell you anything about the woman.”
Pearl scoffed. “At least bring her by for some seafood.”
Dune kissed his mom on the cheek and told his parents he’d see them later. He should’ve been wise to his mother’s ways or figured out they’d hear about their son walking the new person in town home each night.
After a slight detour because of traffic, Dune finally parked at the marina. The line for Blue Lobster Adventures stretched into the park and the sight of people waiting for a service he provided brought a smile to his face. At the cabana that he, his brothers, and father had converted years ago into a working ticket counter, Ana greeted every customer and sold them tours, even if they weren’t sure what they wanted to do.
“Do you need any help?” Dune asked when he checked in on her.
“No, I’m good.”
Dune walked toward the slips where his line of boats were tethered, the hulls’ rigging creaking in anticipation. He could hear the hum of their engines through the busy morning port. They were ready to start the day.
He pulled up short, halting his steps, when he saw Caroline stepping off one of the boats. She wore shorts, her work shirt, and the ball cap he had given her. Perfect work attire for someone who volunteered to spend her days on a boat, doing things she knew nothing about.
It was about time he admitted he had feelings for her, but at what cost? He wasn’t a guy who dated, at least not in the long-term, and preferred a weekend hook-up here and there. Caroline had the power to break his heart at the end of the summer, and he wasn’t sure that was something he could cope with.
Caroline must’ve sensed him. She looked at him, smiled, and made every rational thought in his mind turn to the ooey, gooey romance stuff his mom always talked about. Dune told himself he was going to give Caroline the best summer she had ever had, mostly because he wanted her to return next year. Even if it was for just a week.
“Good morning.” Her singsong voice rang out, sending a wave of warmth and happiness through him. He was so screwed.
“Morning,” he said as he picked up his cemented feet and continued walking toward the boats. “How’d you sleep?”
“Fine? You? Did you stay on the boat last night?”
Dune nodded, took his hat off and ran his hand through his hair, before adjusting the cap. “Yeah, I did. Do you want to go to dinner tonight? Just the two of us?”
Her eyes widen. “Ye-yeah,” she stammered. “Where are we going?”
He motioned behind him as if she would know. “My family owns a clam shack, close to here. We can go pick up some food and then drive out to the state park and watch the waves.”
“Do you actually have a car?”
Dune chuckled. “I do. It doesn’t have a top at the moment, so bring a sweater.”
“Sounds like a da . . .” she caught herself before finishing the word. “Date.”