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“I could tell you about my work,” she says. “If you really wanted to know.”
“I do want to know.”
I’d like to know lots of things about Sadie. Though I’m beginning to suspect I know exactly what kind of work she does based on this conversation. Now, little comments and jokes Eloise and Merritt have made about hacking and spying snap into place. Clearly, Sadie does more than just build websites. Cybersecurity? Hacking?
“I could tell you,” she repeats, leaning forward and blinking up at me. “But then I’d have to kill you.” She reaches out and pats my chest before striding off.
I groan, trailing behind her.
“Now come on, Mr. King. Show me the kitchen. Or is it a galley? I’m prone to midnight snacking, so its location is of supreme importance. Also, is there a chef? Because this looks like the kind of place that would have a chef. I don't need to be pampered, so maybe they could take a few days off? You’d be amazed what I can whip up with a hot plate and a toaster oven.”
She’s babbling now, almost like she’s intentionally trying to distract me. There are a thousand questions I want to ask this woman, but I know a deflective move when I see one.
For now, I let her deflect, sensing that if I push, it will lead to the opposite of what I want.
Sadie barely seems to tolerate me. Why would she tell me anything just because I ask?
Still, if she’s nervous about being on the boat alone, maybe Ishouldn’tgo stay at the house. The thought sits on my tongue and I almost voice it out loud, but then Sadie turns away, walking the opposite direction, and I lose my nerve. She’ll be perfectly safe here with or without me, so it doesn’t really matter, does it?
I make quick work of showing Sadie the main living and dining areas. In the interest of not stoking her ire, I don’t show her the theater room or meditation room or the second livingarea with the saltwater tank housing three short-tail nurse sharks.
We end in the galley where I introduce her to the skeleton crew I employ year round. There are others if I’m actually traveling on the yacht or hosting a party, but typically, it’s just Leandra, Tao the chef, and John, my first officer who doubles as security. I’m especially glad the older, ex-military man is on board considering Sadie’s nerves.
I give Leandra special instructions to tend toanyof Sadie’s needs, and the white-haired stewardess, whom I’ve known since I was a teenager, winks at me. Nothing gets past her.
And nothing gets past Sadie either. “So, Leandra. How long have you known him?” she asks with a shrewd gaze.
Leandra beams. “I’ve known Benedict since he was a gangly teenager.”
I groan. “Must we discuss this?”
Sadie links an arm through Leandra’s. “We must,” Sadie says, dragging a laughing Leandra into the dining area just off the galley.
I don’t think Leandra knows any truly embarrassing stories, but even if she does, I like that Sadie is interested enough to care. While the women are gone, I pull John aside. “Will you double check locks and make sure everything is secure while Sadie is on board?”
“You won’t be staying?” he asks.
I glance toward the dining room, and the sound of Sadie’s laughter floats through the air. “The plan is for me to stay at the house.”
More and more, I want to take back my offer to let Sadie stay here alone. I might not knowwhySadie is concerned, but it feels wrong to walk away when I know she is. Even if that means annoying her by staying when I said I wouldn’t.
“I’m happy to be extra vigilant. But … any particular reason?” John asks.
“I’m not sure. She seems nervous but won’t say why.”
John nods without further comment, and a moment later, the women return and he and Leandra excuse themselves, leaving me alone with Sadie again.
“Are you going to the party tonight?” she asks.
Jake and Eloise are hosting a soiree, a reception for the vendors and sponsors of the Flower Festival, which starts tomorrow morning, doubling as an opening party for the bed and breakfast. The house will be open for tours, which is smart, because every business owner in town will be there, and word of mouth from locals is a great way to secure future business. Not that the bed and breakfast will ever lack customers. Eloise is a genius at online marketing. She’s got more followers on social media than anyone else on Oakley, even Frank. Frank’s TikTok is full of Oakley gossip that’s only truly relevant to islanders, but he’s still grown a decent following.
“I wouldn’t miss it.” I arch an eyebrow and give her what I hope is a flirtatious smile. “Why? Are you interested in being my date?”
She huffs out a breath. “You wish, Benedict. I need aride.”
Her words look like they physically pain her to say them. They probably do. This woman definitely has a way of keeping me humble.
Still, I don’t need her to realize how much she’s getting under my skin, so I keep my smile in place, leaning toward her the slightest bit. “I’d be delighted to have you go with me, Sadie.”
