by Marta Brown
“Is that a problem?” Big Pop says, trying on as firm a voice as the old hippy can, but failing miserably. The ol’ softy.
Katie lifts up on her toes and kisses him on the cheek. “It’s no problem at all, Grandpa. And thank you again, Megan,” she calls up the stairs to my sister, who I imagine I should thank for getting Katie into this heart-stopping dress.
With a swift handshake from Pop, just firm enough to get me to stop staring at his granddaughter in said dress, we head out the front door and down the pebbled walkway.
“Can you believe that?” Katie’s laughter fills the air. “A two o’clock in the morning curfew? What in the world is there to do that late?”
I give her a crooked smile. “I can think of a few things.”
“Yeah, I bet.” She blushes before an awkward silence falls over us like we’re on a first date.
After a few quiet moments heading down the street towards the marina, Katie turns to me and breaks the silence. “Ollie?”
“Yeah?”
“Do I… uh… look okay?” she says, clutching a small purse in one hand as she runs her other hand along the curve of her waist to the bottom edge of the dress—which is super short. And super hot. “Tell me the truth.”
A string of truths crosses my mind as she stares up at me through her long, dark lashes and I have to stop myself from blurting out she’s crazy—or that I’m crazy about her—when she bites down on her glossy lip, looking truly nervous about my possible answer.
“Are you kidding? You look beautiful.”
“Really?” Katie glances to the ground as a soft blush pinkens her cheeks like she’s spent too many hours in the sun and not stuck at work with me. “Because I feel like a little kid playing dress up.”
“Trust me. You don’t look like a little kid. You look amazing,” I admit, unconsciously reaching out my hand and brushing it against hers, the simple gesture stopping us both in our tracks. “Oh…” I trail off, trying to figure out a way to explain why I just tried to hold her hand when her fingers wrap around my palm.
“You don’t have to explain,” she says, squeezing my hand and sending my mind into overdrive. I don’t have to explain? Is this it? The moment we finally get out of the friend zone with each other?
Shit. Had I known all it would take is a lost suitcase, a broken-down cruise ship, and a cross-promotional kick-off gala on an eighty-foot yacht for Katie to realize how much she means to me without so much as an explanation, I would have worked on making this happen years ago.
Katie leans in, and for a split second, my heart stops as I wait for her lips to press against mine. Instead, she wraps an arm around my neck and gives me a hug, the faint scent of apples lingering in her hair.
“You always seem to know exactly what I need, but I think it’s going to take more than just your hand to keep me from shaking. I’m so nervous. Is that stupid?” She pulls away with her brows arched high and her hand still in mine. “You know? To be nervous about going to a party? It’s just, technically, my first one, and I don’t want to make a fool out of myself since Brad is going to be there, and I think he was kind of flirting with me at the restaurant earlier today,” she rambles as we walk across the pier towards the yacht, her body leaning into mine and killing me softly. “Or I mean… I don’t know.” She shakes her head as if that couldn’t possibly be true. “Maybe he was. I’m not totally sure.”
Maybe? Try definitely.
A knot twists in my stomach. I hoped she hadn’t noticed, but it looks like I’ve been wrong about a few things—like twenty seconds ago when I thought she’d finally realized how crazy I am about her and I didn’t even need to explain. So much for that theory.
“Oh, there you two are,” my mom says from the top of the slanted boarding ramp after greeting two guys I recognize from the hotel who work with her at the front desk. “Thomas and the boys are already here, and your sister and Tony just got here, too. So, hurry, hurry.” She smiles. “We’re about to set sail, and I have so many people I want you to meet.”
She waves us up the ramp and onto the biggest, nicest boat I have ever seen—courtesy of Garrison and Sons—and now, as Katie catches Brad’s eye the second we step foot on the boat and drops my hand, it only adds to my nightmares that I can’t give her what he can.
And did my mom just say Thomas and the boys? Why in the hell would I care if they’re here or not?
It doesn’t take long to figure it out.
“So, this is the famous Oliver?” Thomas Garrison says after striding over to Katie and me, the soft sound of piano music drifting up from the deck below and covering my under-the-breath ‘duh’ meant for Katie’s ears only. But by the look Mom shoots me, I wasn’t quiet enough.
“Duh,” Thomas repeats, offering me his hand and a smarmy smile. “There was this morning at the restaurant, and I’ve seen you a number of times at invitationals over the years, but we’ve never officially,” he makes air quotes, “officially met. So, it’s nice to finally make your acquaintance, Oliver. Your mom has told me so much about you.”
As I shake his hand, I can’t help but wonder why Mom would be telling Thomas Garrison anything about me… and then it all clicks.
The working lunch that was more lunching and less working. The kite-surfing contest that benefits Garrison’s since they’re the only kite board rental on the island. The new preppy look Mom’s been rocking lately.
And the cologne.
The stupid ass cologne.
I knew I recognized it. It’s the same damn brand that’s been sitting on our bathroom counter for the last couple of weeks. This is the new guy.
The sting of realization burns the back of my throat worse than his loud cologne and sets me ablaze. “That’s funny. Mom’s failed to mention you at all. But thanks for being quiet when you sneak out in the mornings,” I shoot back, angry Mom decided to go this route to introduce me to the new boyfriend since she knows my history with Brad, and even more furious that I’m stuck on this stupid boat with no escape.
“Oliver Michael Hayes,” Mom gasps, her face fire red as she glances over her shoulder to see if anyone else heard. “This is a work event, and Thomas is here as one of the hotel’s biggest sponsors. You apologize this instant. ”
“Suzie Q,” Thomas says, wrapping an arm around Mom’s waist, clearly having no problem mixing business with pleasure as he leans down and gives Mom a kiss on her cheek. “That’s not necessary. Oliver was just kidding around. It’s what we guys do,” he says, shooting me a conspiratorial wink, like we are in this together. Which, we’re not. Douche.
A soft hand wraps around my arm and just the feel of Katie close helps calm me in an instant. “Hey, your sister said something about the drinking age in international waters being eighteen. How about we look into that, okay?”
…
Thank goodness for loose maritime laws when it comes to drinking, and for Katie, because I’m not sure I could have done this sober, or without her.
Two hours in, and Mom has managed to introduce us to over a dozen sponsors, hotel employees, and corporate execs who litter the boat, and that doesn’t even count everyone we met on the deck below where a whole other slew of VIPs were hobnobbing to live piano music. But at least it’s kept Thomas away from Mom, and Katie away from Brad and his over-the-top eye humping.
Or at least it had.
“So, does everyone get to spend time getting to know you tonight but me?” Brad asks, sidling up to the railing where Katie and I have managed to catch our breaths from Mom’s marathon meet and greet. “I’ll gladly get in line if I have to.”
Katie’s nervous giggle twists a knot in my stomach, and it takes everything in me not to ask Brad how many times he’s used that particular line before, but when I glance at Katie and see the smile it has put on her face, I stop myself. Despite my certainty that Brad’s a total douche, if he makes Katie happy, then I’ll keep my mouth shut. Even if every bone in my body is telling me not to.
“How about
I grab you a drink?” Brad says, eyeing the water in Katie’s hand before finishing off the last few sips of beer left in his bottle. “But promise to keep the line short because I’m coming back.” He winks, sending a wash of color across Katie’s cheeks and my eyes rolling. Is this guy for real?
When he reaches the bar, Katie’s tiny hand grips my wrist with more force than I thought possible and spins me around to face her. “Okay. I’m kind of regretting not taking advantage of the lower drinking age and open bar right about now, because I’m pretty sure if I had, I wouldn’t be so freaking nervous. Brad Garrison is flirting with me. I mean, I thought he might have been at the beach a few days ago, and then again at the restaurant this morning, but I’m fairly positive he is now. Without a doubt, right?” she asks, tugging on her bottom lip as uncertainty laces every word.
Oh. There is no doubt about it.
“Well, it looks like we’re headed back to the good ol’ US of A,” Brad says, walking up from behind me and handing Katie a champagne glass filled to the brim.
“Oh,” she says, taking the glass and nervously watching the frothy white bubbles disappear, leaving only the golden liquid behind. “I… better not then.”
“Don’t worry, its only sparkling apple cider.” Brad huffs. “The bar already up’d the drinking age back to twenty-one, and I didn’t bring my fake tonight.”
A small ghost of a smile flashes across my face as I glance back to shore and see the lights of town flashing in the distance. Ha. Looks like getting Katie tipsy isn’t gonna work tonight, buddy. And even better—I won’t have to be stuck watching you flirt with the girl I’m in love with for very much longer either.
But, apparently, the jokes on me because he doesn’t need liquor. Or more time.
“Well, since I didn’t get to spend any real amount of time with you tonight…” Brad takes a step closer to Katie, lessening the small distance between them to an uncomfortable few inches. Uncomfortable for me. For Katie, not so much. “Let’s hang out again. But next time, how about just you and me? No lines.” He shoots me a quick, but unmistakable, smirk before turning his smile back to Katie. “How’s Saturday sound?”
Like the worst idea ever.
“Saturday?” Katie says, twisting her ankles out as the hesitation in her voice takes my rapidly beating heart down a notch.
Yes. She’s gonna say no.
“We could do Friday, if you want? Or Sunday? Whatever,” Brad offers nonchalantly.
“Oh… no. Saturday sounds great,” she finally says, making my rapidly beating heart come to a complete stop.
No! She said yes.
Chapter 11
Katie
Despite not drinking on the boat all night, I feel drunk. Drunk and happy. Drunk, happy, and a little scared because Brad Garrison just asked me out. On a date. This Saturday. And it’ll be my first one ever.
“Wait… don’t you have to work on Saturday?” Oliver says, his clipped tone pulling me out of my head before a spiral of worry, self-doubt, and panic can set in. And I thought I was nervous about tonight.
“Oh, yeah.” I glance back at Brad and offer him a small smile, feeling equal parts disappointment and relief since I wouldn’t know what to do on a date anyway. “Ollie’s right. I have to work Saturday. I’m so sorry.”
“Really?” Brad takes a step closer, and the combination of his cologne and the nearness of his body makes me feel lightheaded. “Isn’t there anyone who could cover for you?”
Nobody—but Ollie.
I twist around to my best friend and offer him a pleading smile as hope bubbles in my chest. Please say yes. Please say yes. Please say yes.
Ollie answers my silent request by letting out a long, deep sigh. “What are friends for? But you owe me one,” he says through gritted teeth even though I know he’s always happy to pick up an extra shift or two.
Wanting to jump in his arms and thank him about a million times for being the best friend a girl could ever have—especially considering how little he likes the Garrisons right now because of Trevor’s taunting at the beach and Thomas and Susan’s newly unveiled relationship—I lean in and kiss his cheek before turning back to Brad and smiling. “Looks like I’m free after all.”
“Perfect. I’ll grab you around seven then?”
“Perfect,” I say, feeling more bubbly than the glass of sparkling apple cider in my hand, and more tipsy than had it been real champagne.
“Perfect,” Oliver murmurs, a slight edge of sarcasm in his tone.
“There you all are,” Susan says, coming up from the bottom deck with Brad’s brother and father in tow. “Having fun?”
Is she serious? This is the most amazing thing I’ve ever done. Who knew a boat could have a dance floor, a DJ, and full-blown disco lights. And that’s just the upper deck.
Oliver, however, doesn’t look quite as excited as I do, but then again, his night started off a little rocky. And he didn’t just get asked out on a date by Brad-freaking-Garrison. So, I might be biased.
“It’s amazing, Susan. Really and truly. The entire night has been amazing.”
“Well, thank you, Katie,” Susan says, patting me softly on the back before taking in her son’s appearance, which is tense to say the least. “I’m so glad you came. I think you’re the only thing that’s made this evening somewhat bearable for our poor Oliver.”
Glancing at my best friend, I’m not so sure. “Hey, you okay?” I ask, nudging him with my elbow, noticing his jaw is tense and pulsing.
“I’m fine,” he says before the tinkling sound of silverware being tapped against a glass pulls both of our attention to Thomas Garrison, who has made his way to Susan’s side.
“Please excuse the interruption,” he says, waiting while conversations around the boat soften from a normal decimal to a low whisper and then to total quiet. The only sound left is the piano music drifting up from below, and the noise of the boat cutting through the inky water. “I’d like to say a few things if I may. First, I’d like to start off by thanking the Key West Resort and Spa for putting together such an amazing event to kick off an even more amazing cross promotion benefitting so many of the small businesses in town.”
Pausing to let the small spattering of applause quiet down, Thomas continues. “And second, I’d like to thank the woman behind it all,” he says, wrapping his arm around Oliver’s mom’s waist and pulling her in tight. “Susan Hayes has been instrumental in pulling together local sponsorships, coordinating not only the kickoff gala, which has been fantastic. I mean, can you believe this boat, folks?” Thomas opens his arms wide and his big, white smile follows suit. “But she also came up with the idea to have a kite-surfing contest—of course, just like the boat, made possible by Garrison and Son’s Aquatic Rentals. For all your sun, sport, and boating needs,” he says, wrapping his arm back around her waist and giving her a wink, appearing more like a used car salesmen with his pastel shirt and gold chain necklace than the businessman I’m sure he is.
“Anyway, let’s raise our glasses to all the sponsors, participants, the hotel, and Susan. Here, here,” he finally finishes to the sound of clicking glasses as he plants a kiss to Susan’s reddened lips.
“I’ll cheers to that,” Brad says next to me before lightly tapping the lip of his glass against mine. “And to Saturday, too.”
As I take a small sip, the fragrant bubbles rush to my head faster than the blush to my cheeks. “Cheers.”
“Ugh. I think I’m gonna hurl.” Oliver huffs before stalking off in the direction of the bar which is luckily closed since he obviously doesn’t need another drink if he’s feeling sick.
I bite my bottom lip, not wanting my time with Brad to end, but feeling a knot of worry twist in my stomach for Ollie. All of those silly, nervous worries about wearing my sister’s dress and going to a party are gone; all I care about is my best friend and how he’s doing. “I’m going to go check on him—”
“Oh, yeah, no prob,” Brad says with a carefree smile. “I�
�ll see you Saturday then.”
With a nod, I set my glass on a small table covered with a white linen tablecloth and head to the bow of the boat to find Oliver leaning against the metal railing with his head hanging low. I run my hand up his arm. “Are you okay? Do you want me to get you some water?”
Oliver whips his head up, looking more upset than sick. “No. I’m fine. Really,” he says, nodding back towards the noise of the party. “Go back. It seems like you’re having fun. One of us might as well be since we’re stuck on this stupid ass boat for at least another half hour.”
Leaning my back against the railing so we’re face to face, I let the warm night air, carrying the scent of summer, tropical and carefree—the complete opposite of Oliver’s set jaw—wash over me as I press my lips together and try to come up with something to say to make him feel better. I come up short.
Silence stretches out between us before Oliver finally lets out a breath I think he’s been holding ever since we got on the boat and he figured out Thomas Garrison and his mom were dating.
“I’m sorry. I’m being a dick,” he says, letting go of the railing and twisting around so his back is against it as well. “I just can’t stand that guy.” He nods towards the open upper deck scattered with people drinking and laughing—a few too loud having had a few too many.
My eyes follow the direction of his nod until I spot Brad and Thomas now at the bar. “Ollie, if you want to talk about it…” I trail off, unsure how to broach the subject of Thomas and his mom with his anger so close to the surface.
“Talk about it?” He lets out a humorless laugh. “About the way he was all over—”
“Ollie…” I cut him off before he gets himself worked up anymore. “He was not all over her. It was a sweet speech, and they barely even kissed.”
“Huh?” Oliver turns to me with his face pinched in confusion.
