“I have so many thoughts about that, too.”
“I’ll bet you do,” he said, smiling. Maileah was excited, and Sailor was impressed with her ideas. He liked her eagerness and passion, and he respected her marketing acumen.
On a break, his father joined them.
“Great set, Dad,” Sailor said. “Especially that last song; I’m glad you played it. And your buddy is lightning on the guitar.”
Adrian grinned, smoothing a hand over his salt-and-pepper hair caught in a ponytail. “It’s good to know I can still play with the best of them.”
Maileah’s eyes sparkled, and she leaned forward. “I saw how people responded to your song. How would you feel about writing and performing a song for the charity surfing event?”
“She’s full of good ideas,” Sailor said, filling his father in on what she was doing with the charity.
Adrian raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “That’s a good cause. Happy to do it. Did you have anything in mind?”
Maileah’s words erupted with a charming vigor. “Since the event is for injured athletes, how about a theme of champions whose souls remain unbroken despite physical injuries? How they reach within themselves and rise from defeat.”
Sailor saw a spark of creativity in his father’s eyes.
“I could work with that,” Adrian said, his fingers tapping a rhythm on the table.
While Maileah suggested themes and lyrics, Sailor sat back, watching the two of them. He marveled at how easily Maileah was integrating herself into his world. It felt natural.
While they spoke, Sailor thought about surfers he knew who’d sustained injuries, especially Skeeter. He wondered what it would take to get her back on a surfboard.
Sailor saw his father’s friend pick up his guitar.
“I’ve got to get back up there for the last set.” Adrian rose from the booth. As he did, he grinned and nodded toward Maileah. “She’s a smart one, son.”
“Don’t I know it,” Sailor said, sweeping Maileah closer. Warmth spread through his chest; having his father’s approval was important to him.
Later, as the evening wound down and the crowd began to clear, Sailor was reluctant to leave Maileah. “Do you want me to follow you home?”
“I’d like that,” she said, squeezing his hand.
Sailor held her hand, wishing she wouldn’t leave yet, but she only laughed and shook her head. He had to see her again soon.
“Will you come over for breakfast?” he asked. “Not too early. I usually catch some waves in the morning.”
“You’re cooking, I hope.”
“You bet.”
She hesitated as if weighing her options before answering. “I have work I need to do. How about we call it brunch?”
19
Maileah sat on her sun-dappled patio, refining the pitch she would make later today before the committee in charge of the charity event. She chewed her lip as she reviewed her work.
Even with the participating surfer interviews and Adrian’s song, something was missing.
Just then, her phone rang. It was her mother.
“Good morning, darling,” April said. “Margaret just called about today’s meeting. She said you’re presenting your marketing plan. I knew you were working on it, but are you ready to share it?”
“I have to,” she said gamely, even though she was a little uncomfortable. “There isn’t much time left before the event.”
April sighed. “That’s what I’m concerned about. I know you’re brilliant, and you need work, but I would hate to see you set up to fail. Are you sure you will have enough time?”
