It was all Maileah could do to keep from laughing. Sailor probably thought he would soon have another good story to share. Not tonight, it seemed. She was determined to prove him wrong.
The night was young, the music was good, and Maileah felt a spark of excitement—the good kind—about what might come next.
As Todd spoke about his work in accounting, Maileah studied him. He wasn’t her usual type, but she had to admit he was nice enough.
From the corner of her eye, she caught Sailor watching them again, probably waiting to be summoned if Todd turned out to be a jerk. But she didn’t need rescuing this time.
“So, how did you know about Crown Island?” Maileah asked, redirecting her attention to Todd with a smile she usually reserved for the most fascinating people.
A hint of nostalgia filled his eyes. “I used to come here for spring break in college. My friends and I would crowd into a cheap place and head for the beach. I fell in love with the island then.”
“And now you’re back. That’s quite a change.”
Todd laughed. “I know, right? It’s probably one of the boldest things I’ve ever done. I wanted a change. Needed it, really.”
Maileah grinned with approval, liking Todd more by the minute. “That’s pretty impressive. I like that you took the leap.”
“Well, don’t get too excited,” Todd joked. “It’s probablythe only spontaneous thing I’ve done in years. I’m usually very organized and thoughtful.”
They both laughed, and Maileah was glad she’d decided to come. Todd was an engaging, easy conversationalist. She hadn’t felt an immediate spark or intense attraction, but she reminded herself that instant connections hadn’t worked out well for her. Maybe this was what she needed—someone steady, kind, and reliable. And not too bad to look at.
As the evening wound down, Todd offered to drive her home. “Thanks, but I promised to talk to my friend Jo.”
“I understand,” Todd said. “I would have told my sister not to trust me yet. You don’t know me, but I assure you I’m one of the good ones.”
She appreciated his understanding. “I’ll bet you are.”
“I had a great time,” he said, stepping closer. “Maybe we could do this again sometime?”
“I’d like that,” she replied, surprised that she meant it.
He took her hand and squeezed it gently. “I enjoyed meeting you, and I’ll call you. I’m not just saying that.”
After Todd left, Maileah lingered for a moment, taking in the lively atmosphere of Cuppa Jo’s. She felt Sailor’s gaze on her. He swung off the counter stool and sauntered toward her, his shaggy hair flopping over one eye. The two men couldn’t have been farther apart in style.
He stopped at her booth and rocked on his heels, a grin creasing his face. “How did that go?”
With a shrug, she said, “I didn’t have to call you, did I?”
“No, you lasted longer that time. But I was there for you. All you had to do was signal.”
“It went well.” And it had, even if it wasn’t earth-shattering. Maybe this was what growing up felt like—choosing steady over exciting, reliable over risky.
Sailor shifted on his feet. “Are you staying longer?”
She knew what he was getting at. “Sit down. We can listen to your dad. He’s pretty good.”
“Not bad for an old guy. I’ve been listening to him all my life.”
“You guys seem to have a good relationship.”
“Sure, he’s my best friend. He always has my back.”
Sailor made that sound so natural, but that was hardly the case with her father. “And your mom?”
“Oh, well, you know.”
“No, I don’t.”
