John reached for her hand. “Relationships between two people are entirely natural.” He paused for effect. “I have the night free.”
“Whoa, slow down, Papa.” She cast a plaintive plea toward Sailor, urging him to pick up his pace.
Sailor waved. “Hey there, Maileah.”
“Oh, hey Sailor,” she said, maybe a little too brightly.
“May I join you?” Sailor grabbed a chair from a neighboring table before John could answer. He flipped it around and sat down, straddling the back of the chair. “Great day at the beach, huh?”
“Would you mind?” John said, drawing his brow in apparent consternation. “We’re having a private conversation.”
“It’s okay,” Maileah said. “Sailor is a good friend.”
Narrowing his eyes, John took in Sailor’s blond ponytail, sun-sprinkled face, and lean muscular frame. “Strange looking chaperone.”
Sailor chuckled and turned to Maileah. “Are we done here?”
“We haven’t been served yet,” John replied with aggravation.
Maileah was relieved that Sailor was here. “John—if that’s your real name—it’s clear our goals are not in alignment. There’s no point in continuing this conversation.”
Before the other man could reply, Sailor added, “I’ll pick up the bill, dude. See you around.”
“I doubt that.” John stood, knocking his chair back so hard that Sailor had to catch it to avoid hitting another patron. He spun on his heel and headed toward the door.
Maileah let out her breath. “Thanks for rescuing me.”
“That one set a new record time.” Sailor held up his hand and gave her a high five.
She laughed, but only so she wouldn’t cry. “I’m not trying to set any records on how fast I get rid of them. I’d like to find someone—preferably sane.”
“So what was wrong with this guy? Aside from his frosty welcome to me, he looked good on the outside.”
“He didn’t want me; he wanted a whole team of kids. His opening bid was five or six. His sister had nine, and he seemed like the type to go for sibling rivalry.”
“Ouch.”
“Pretty much what I thought.” She grinned as Sailor got the joke and chuckled.
“When are you going to knock this off?” Sailor asked. “There are plenty of other good guys on Crown Island.”
“Know any that aren’t surfing their way around the world?”
Sailor grinned. “I can’t recommend anyone. That’s a personal decision you’ll have to make.”
“I’m trying. My gosh, I’ve been trying for years.”
Maileah twisted her lips to one side. Sailor was easy going and certainly had the physical attributes. Why couldn’t she find someone like him who was responsible and wanted to have a reasonable number of children? And wanted her?
When she’d first arrived on Crown Island, she had tried flirting with Sailor, although he’d already asked Junie out before they’d met. When he gave her and Junie surfing lessons, her sister was livid over her behavior.
Sailor was only amused.
Maileah had deserved every bit of Junie’s anger. Still, Sailor had been kind enough to pitch in at Junie’s painting party before moving into her house.
Even though her sister was dating Knox now, the chance had passed. She and Sailor were in solid friend territory, and there was no going back. Besides, she was looking for someone more grounded now.
Sailor leaned in with interest. “Why the rush with trying to meet someone?”
