Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 107673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“Same schedule. Monday, Wednesday, Friday. I’ll head over here when I see the boat come back in.”
“Cool.” Problem solved. Dash always had all the answers. I quickly lifted the nozzle and pressed, sending the high-power spray of water in his direction. I honestly lived to tease that guy. This round ensured a mess to his perfectly styled hair.
I got the normal reaction, a squeaky yell and a quick duck with nowhere to go. When I began cleaning the porch in earnest, my mind wandered to the idea of being paid to fish. Jeez, that’d be my best life. A more intriguing snapshot flitted around in my head. Dash with me on such a boat.
Maybe we should stick with my brand of fishing first. He was a little bit of a baby. Clearly he’d had a pampered life, but he was also weirdly grounded. He innately understood the heartbeat of the world and showed great compassion for everyone and everything. I didn’t mind doing the odd little tasks like killing whatever bug threatened him…
A loud whistle pierced my scattered thoughts, and I glanced in Dash’s direction. My hand lifted off the nozzle to better hear as he began to get to his feet. He pointed me toward the parking lot and started that direction. I instantly knew the car. My mom. Anxiety hit hard, showing the cracks in my happy place.
I absently dropped the hose to the pavement as I started in her direction. “It’s my mom.”
Dash’s sure steps stumbled as he swung his head in my direction. “You sure? Not a potential client?”
“I’m sure.” I kept going, lengthening my stride, trying to get to her before he did. I thought I might until he squared his shoulders and began walking with purpose as he ran his fingers through his hair. Like always, he held all the confidence in the world.
My mom pulled into a space, closer to him than me, letting the car idle as she opened the door and stepped out, looking all vice-principally in her pantsuit and small heels. She was pretty, at least all my friends back in Mobile thought so. They all talked about dating her which creeped me out.
“Hi, Mrs. Brooks. I’m Dasham. Beau calls me Dash,” he said, boldly, jogging the few steps separating them. He stuck his hand out to shake hers. Man, he had manners game and didn’t mess around. He appeared respectful and interested. My mom ate it up.
“Hi, Dash.” She gave him her real smile, not the practiced one she reserved for her students and their parents. He didn’t hesitate to give a genuine one back. “Call me Linda. I wanted to stop by and see where my son’s spending all his time these days.”
Most likely she meant with whom, instead of where, but tried to save me any possible embarrassment. I’d told her as much of the truth as I was willing to tell about my employment and my friendship with Dash, highlighting that he was the resort owner’s son.
I kept going until I sidled up next to her side, also facing Dash just in case I needed to tackle him to the ground to offset anything contradictory he might say. My mom leaned in, like she always did, lifting on her tiptoes to place a kiss on my cheek.
“I wanted to see where you work, and I wanted to meet your new friend.”
“That’s him,” I explained and pointed to Dash. “And that’s the charter’s office. I clean up after everyone. The boats are at the dock, I already went over them.” I absently hooked a thumb toward the ocean as if the boats might be located somewhere else.
To her credit, she did glance in the directions I pointed, but Dash obviously held all her curiosity. “So you’re the one everyone’s talking about?” she asked, clearly paying attention to the local news.
“Sadly, I believe so.” Dash’s charming side roared to the forefront as his chin hit his chest. “The attention wasn’t anything I encouraged but the hype’s beginning to quiet down now. The girls aren’t following me all over the resort like they used to. I think my fifteen minutes has come to an end.”
“Well, that’s too bad. Beau needs to meet someone new.” She bumped her hip against the side of my body, happy with her tease. “Having a girlfriend…”
“Mom,” I cut her off and rolled my eyes. When I knew she was watching me, I exaggeratedly mouthed the words I’m sorry to Dash.
“No, it’s good,” Dash said assuredly, winking at my mom. Who did that? Who executed a perfect, playful wink at fifteen years old? “My mom says those same things to me.”
I doubted that.
“Where do you live when you’re not here putting the fear of God into the locals?” my mom asked.
“Mom,” I started only to have Dash shake me off again.