Maileah hesitated. More than anything, she hated being a tired cliché.The woman with the ticking biological clock.Instead, she said, “It’s Junie and Knox. I’m happy for them, but I’m in the way there. I need to get on with my life.”
“That still doesn’t explain your hurry in dating.”
Maileah shrugged as if dating didn’t matter that much. She figured everything might fall into place if she found the right man. She tried hard to think like other women she’d known at work. “What I really need is a job and a place to live.”
Nodding, Sailor said, “That’s a better place to start. A lot of guys aren’t very dependable.”
“Don’t I know it.”
Why did she always end up with men like Hawk, who’d cheated on her with her father’s mistress? Scratch that, she thought, shuddering.New wife. And a new half-sibling on the way. Her father even had the gall to hint that she might like to babysit. She assured him she wasn’t likely to be available.
Yet more reasons she’d left Seattle. “When is your next surfing competition?”
Sailor’s eyes lit. “I’m heading to Hawaii next week.”
That sounded like fun. “I once ran a marathon on Maui. Sure wish I could go again.”
“A marathon, cool.” He looked at her with increased interest. “Why don’t you come with me?”
Maileah sucked in a breath. Did she dare?
2
Maileah lowered her eyes. She had a hundred reasons why she didn’t dare go to Hawaii with Sailor, starting with his kryptonite grin.
“Junie needs me to work on her marketing campaign.” She’d finished it before she left, but her sister might suggest another idea as she had before.
Disappointment swept over Sailor’s face, but he shrugged it off. “Just a wild thought.”
“Don’t you have a girlfriend to go with you?”
“Not this time,” he replied. “She complained about other women on the beach that talk to me. I can’t help that. Half of them were journalists, and this is what I do.”
Maileah could hardly blame her. Women flocked around Sailor; she’d witnessed that. Her grandmother called him charismatic, but Maileah wanted no part of that competition. At least she could see a wave of trouble before it crashed over her now.
“Maybe you’ll meet someone there.”
“Not likely. When you’re in your thirties, you’re considered an old guy.”
She laughed. “Don’t worry. You’re still hot. Someone willtake you off the market.”
It was tempting, but Maileah needed to secure work to move out of Junie’s home. With Junie and Knox becoming more serious, she was only in the way. If she was honest with herself, she had wedged her way into Junie’s house. She couldn’t live there forever.
A server came toward them with two cups of coffee. “I have an extra,” Junie said. “Want to stay for a break?”
“I need to get back to the bike concession.” Sailor touched her hand. “But I’m glad you’re okay.”
She wished he’d stay so she’d have someone to talk to, but he was always running off somewhere. She stared at the two cups of coffee the server put in front of her.
Sailor motioned to the server that he’d take care of the bill. He hesitated as if he didn’t want to leave her alone. “Maybe Junie can join you.”
“I’ll text her.” She put a smile on her face. “See you around.”
“No more dates for today?”
She shook her head. “You’re officially off the clock. Thanks for being part of my rescue squad.”
“Someday, you’ll find someone who appreciates you. You’re a prize, Maileah.” He rose and bumped her knuckles.
