She took a bite and closed her eyes in sheer enjoyment. “Oh, this is heavenly.”
They continued eating and talking, with a server ferrying small, elegant dishes to them.
“Your marketing skills are incredible,” Sailor said. “You didn’t learn all that in college.”
“What makes you think that?” Maileah raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. “Have you ever studied marketing?”
Sailor enjoyed their banter. “As a matter of fact, I have a business degree.” He watched as surprise flickered across Maileah’s face.
“But you started competing when you were young.”
So she’d done her homework. “I started in summer school at a community college on the mainland and cobbled together extension courses in between surfing. Eventually, it all added up to a degree from the state university in San Diego.”
“That’s impressive.” Maileah’s voice held newfound admiration. “I had no idea. I thought…”
“That I was an empty-headed surfer dude?” Sailor shrugged modestly, but inside, he was glowing.
He wondered if this revelation might change her mother’s perception of him. He wasn’t looking for approval, though he knew how much Maileah’s family and opinion meant to her.
Maybe April knew, though. Ella had tutored him in science a few years ago.
“What about you?” he asked, genuinely curious. “Where did you pick up all these skills?”
“I’ve always figured out things as I go. I love playing around. There’s always something new to pick up in marketing.”
Just then, Kaito arrived with another dish. “Avocado nigiri brushed with tamari and spicy yuzu kosho. It’s one of our most popular vegetarian items.”
They picked up their chopsticks to indulge in strips of ripe avocado draped over warm rice and drizzled with sauces.
Maileah was clearly enjoying herself. “Just when I think the last dish was perfect, Kaito’s uncle outdoes himself on the next one. This is amazing.”
“I thought you’d like this. It’s different from the taco stand, but they both have their charm.”
She pointed to the sign, Rockin’ Roll. “Do they ever have music out here?”
“In the summer. My dad plays here sometimes.”
As they continued to eat and chat, Sailor opened up more than he had in a long time. He told her about growing up on the beach, how his parents met, and how Skeeter got her nickname. “She was born prematurely. At the hospital, Dad told me my new little sister was as small as a mosquito. Your grandmother called her a little skeeter, and the nickname stuck.”
“I never heard that story.”
“Ella Raines has touched many people’s lives on Crown Island. Just like your grandfather, Dr. Raines. He delivered Skeeter.”
In turn, Maileah shared stories about her family, her eyes lighting as she talked about her happy visits to Crown Island on summer vacations. “I might have watched you surfing off the coast when I was younger.”
Sailor hung on every word, realizing how much he enjoyed simply being in her presence. He was falling hard, but he needed to know more before he let his guard down.
As the sun dipped beneath the horizon, Sailor felt sudden urgency. He was nearing a point of no return withher. If she took off after the event, he’d be bitterly disappointed.
“Are you planning to stay on Crown Island? Long term, I mean.”
He held his breath, waiting for her answer. To his relief, Maileah nodded without hesitation.
“Absolutely. Now that I’m finding work, I’m pretty sure I can afford to stay. Everything I want is here. My family, this place, the friends I’m making.”
She trailed off, and Sailor noted color rising in her cheeks.
Unable to resist teasing her a little, he grinned. “And maybe you’ll meet someone here, too.”
