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“I think you’re a good brother,” she said.
“I think if he’s having sex with hookers or strippers, I’m going to kill him.” Bastien didn’t sound like he was kidding.
“No need to go that far. If he is, I’m sure Kitty will call the wedding off.”
“She’s going to be hurt, though.”
“If he’s cheating, she’ll be devastated. You going to jail for assault won’t make that hurt any easier to bear.”
“It would make me feel better.”
“No, it would ruin your life,” Mikelina said, feeling a pit of dread in her stomach. She was the expert in incarcerated relatives. “Look, if Jace is cheating on her, he’s the jerk you say he is. But if he’s not, you’re getting upset over nothing. Until you have proof, you can’t work yourself up into believing he’s the devil. Maybe he’s just an inconsiderate ass.” She shrugged. “That’s not a crime. If it was, there would be a lot more people in jail.”
“True.” Bastien got up and stretched, putting his pole in the rod holder. “I’m going to grab a beer. Do you want one?”
“I’ll take a lemonade.”
He rooted around in the ice chest until he found one and then brought it back to her.
“Your phone keeps beeping,” she said, “but it’s not Jace.”
“It’s the office. I haven’t taken a vacation in over two years and I think the place is falling apart without me.”
“Is it anything urgent?”
“We make shirts and pants. It’s nothing that can’t wait two weeks. And if it was, my father or my assistant VP can handle it. It’s crazy that they feel the need to check in with me with every decision.”
“That sounds like habit. Are you, Mr. Ainsworth, a micromanager?”
He snorted. “No. Who the hell has time for that?”
“Someone who hasn’t taken a vacation in two years.”
“You think they’d be glad to get rid of me for a few weeks. Hell, I’m surprised they’re not throwing a party. It’s Taco Tuesday and the prick is out of the office.”
“I could go for tacos,” Mikelina said. “I wonder if Captain Lila has some taco shells that are still fresh. A little bit of lettuce and chopped tomato would go nicely with some diced and fried mahi-mahi.”
“You’re making me hungry and we have to catch the damned fish first.”
Just then her pole dipped low and almost jerked out of her hand. “Holy shit, I’ve got something.”
Bastien saved the lemonade from going all over the deck as Mikelina hauled back on the rod and started reeling in the line. Once she was convinced the fish was truly hooked, she let out a little line to give herself a break.
“Careful it doesn’t dart for the reef or rocks and tangle up the line.”
“It’s a big one, but it’s not a sailfish.” She turned the reel faster, her arms and wrists beginning to ache. “I hate being a wimp, but I think I’m going to need you to take over.”
He eagerly stepped in. “Let me know when you’re ready to hand off.”
The rod jerked and she had to tighten her grip. “I’m afraid to let go.”
Bastien put his arms around her and held the rod just above her hands. “I got you. You can keep reeling him in. Don’t worry about the rod. You can do it.”
“He’s heavy,” Mikelina grunted.
Captain Lila came out with a net. “Get it in close to the boat and I’ll scoop it up and help you haul it in.”
Grinning, Michelina concentrated on reeling in the line. With Bastien steadying the pole, she didn’t have to worry about losing her grip on it. “My hands are killing me,” she said, but even though she had to put in more effort, it was worth it to hear Bastien’s hoot of delight.
