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I don't want her covered up if I have a choice. And since she didn't grab her clothes off the deck before we came down to the cabin, and her naked body is plastered against the side of me with her leg draped over mine… I think she's comfortable enough being naked with me.
"So, you don't keep condoms on the boat at all?" she asks.
"I've never had a female on this boat who isn't related to me." I think for a second and then realize that my statement isn't completely accurate. "Well… except for Rita but she's told me time and time again that I'm not her type. I've stopped asking."
Brynn snorts out a booming laugh that crinkles at the side of her eyes.
We stay tangled together and lose track of time.
By the time I realize it, we emerge back to the top deck, both of us covered in towels, to find the sun is beginning to set.
"We should head back. It's getting late and it's easy to park the boat before it gets dark."
She doesn't say anything, which prompts me to check in about what just happened between us.
"You're ok with what we just did, right?" I ask.
I've never asked this question after the fact with any other woman. Usually, the expectations of what we each got out of the deal is pretty obvious and I leave soon after, keeping the exchange as uncomplicated as possible. But with Brynn everything's different because this isn't a one-night stand. We've spent almost two weeks together.
She nods but doesn't look directly at me. Instead, she looks out to the ocean with an unreadable look across her face. She doesn't look upset, but she also doesn't look blissfully happy… she looks impartial like coming back up from the cabin broke the bubble we were back to where we started when she came aboard.
Our "one last time" is very much over.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Brynn
We ride back to the marina the same way we rode out to the fishing spot, with Seven at the helm inside the cockpit and me sitting out on the bench watching the sunset over the horizon.
The warm orange and pink painting of the sky has me reflecting on the fact that in less than seventy-two hours, I'll be headed back to Seattle to face my old life.
My old life… What an odd way to think of it, considering it's the only life I have. It's the life I've wanted for so long. A life with Daniel and a booming author career.
I glance back at the glass window where Seven is standing, only to find him staring straight ahead at the ocean as he drives us back to shore.
He asked me if I wanted one more time with him before I headed home, and I don't regret saying yes, but with the expiration date of this working vacation coming too quickly to an end, there's a part of me that doesn't want to leave.
I'll miss all of this.
I'll miss the warm sunny days that I won't get in Seattle, the long stretches of beautiful sandy beaches, the new friends I've made at Scallywag's, and even waking to the smell of the fryer permeating through the floorboards of the apartment when Miguel comes in to warm up the kitchen for the day. I don't get to take any of this home with me when I leave and that's starting to make me sad.
Cammy and Seven will be back in Seattle within a few days, but something tells me that the connection I have with both of them dies the moment I touch down on Washington soil.
I already know that carrying on a friendship with Seven would be inappropriate when Daniel and I get engaged. Having a relationship with Cammy would be nice but how would Seven feel about that? What if Seven finally starts to date someone? I'm not sure if I could handle Cammy keeping me apprised of Seven's romantic life.
Seven pulls into the boat slip and rushes out to toss the lines at the back of the boat to the marina attendant to secure them.
Once the boat is secured into place, Seven glances up at me from where he's standing down on the fishing deck.
"We're all set—let's go. I'll give you a lift back to Rita's apartment if you want."
He turns back and walks to the side of the boat, hoisting himself up over the side and landing on the dock.
"If it's not too much trouble…" I say, taking the steps down to the lower deck.
I walk up to the side of the boat and Seven steps towards me. This is the first time we've ever been eye to eye… with our clothes on.
"You're never any trouble and anyone who tells you differently doesn't deserve your time."
