Denny turned away and buried his head in her shoulder, causing an ache in Joey’s chest.
Marianne swung around to face them. “Sorry. He’s tired. Don’t take it personally.”
“Ha, of course not.” Joey laughed away Denny’s rejection. They kissed Marianne’s cheek and ruffled Denny’s hair. “See you later, shrimp.”
Joey forced themself not to stay and watch as Marianne walked back up the beach. Instead, they turned to see Kasia waist deep in the water and beckoning for them to join her. They could do this friends thing. They ran into the surf, the waves chilling their sun-warmed skin.And if it gets too much, the sea will always cool me off.
NINETEEN
Queen Maedbh was nowhereto be seen as Marianne walked down to the quay. She was on shift later, so this would be a long day, but it was worth it to get some social media content. She’d started posting snippets of her new island life and had been getting good engagement from her fan base, most of whom seemed happy she was back online.
It was a bright morning, and she shielded her eyes to look out beyond the lighthouse, but there was no sign of Joey. She wondered if she’d pressured them too much into helping. They hadn’t seemed keen, which she didn’t understand as they were a natural on camera once they relaxed. She knew she was a little biased when it came to Joey; she enjoyed watching and listening to them so much she assumed everyone else did, too. But the comments on her previous video with them had shown that to be true. There was a real thirst for insights into the lifestyle of the reclusive fisher.
She heard the engine before she spotted the white hull of Joey’s boat clearing the lighthouse rocks. By the time they moored at the quay, she was waiting on the steps for them.
“Sorry, I had engine trouble. Maedbh’s usually so reliable.”
They were red in the face with a smudge of what looked like oil smeared across one cheekbone. Marianne wanted to wipe it clean, but resisted, not wanting to add to Joey’s agitation.
“It’s okay. I appreciate you sparing me any time.”
Joey reached out a hand and she took it, feeling safe as she stepped down onto the boat. Joey took her bag and stowed it in the wheelhouse. They lifted the top of a bench and pulled out a folded turquoise coat. “I’ve got these new waterproof coats for the shellfish safaris. Help yourself if you want one.” They looked her up and down. “You may not want to spoil your look, though.” They flashed their white teeth.
“And what look is that?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Like you’ve made an effort.” They looked away.
Marianne looked down at her carefully chosen dungarees and sweater. Practical on the surface, she’d styled them in the mirror before she left, ensuring she had managed the right combination of workwear and attractiveness.
She laughed. “They’re just some old things I threw on.”
Joey looked up from coiling a rope and grinned again. Spending time with them was effortless. Like they understood how she ticked.
“So, what’s the plan today?” She pulled out her phone and the gimbal stabilizer that would keep her filming steady in the wind and waves.
“You said you wanted to film all the different catches. Today we’ll be pulling up langoustines, or as we call them in Ireland, Dublin Bay prawns.”
Marianne set up her equipment. “Could you do that once more for the camera?” When she gave Joey her most winning smile, they rolled their eyes.
“This is your one and only second take. You promised.”
“I know. I’m on it now.”
She kept the phone rolling most of the morning. Joey hauled in a good catch, and she enjoyed watching them work. They were in their element on the boat and their steady competence was very attractive, as were their strong hands working the equipment. She’d had to drag herself back to reality a couple of times. She was pleased with the candid footage she’d shot interspersed with her own observations about what made good quality ingredients.
“If I don’t get you back soon, you’ll be late for your shift.”
Joey’s comment came as a surprise and Marianne realized it was lunchtime already. “And you have deliveries. I’m holding you back. I’m sorry.”
“You’re not. I’ve enjoyed myself.” They let out the throttle and steered the boat around the island. “Apart from the bits to camera, obviously.”
“You’re such a natural on screen. You’ll see, the food-loving public will adore you.”
She watched in delight as Joey’s ruddy cheeks took the color up a notch.
“I am not someone people refer to as adorable. Ever.”
Marianne’s chuckle blew away on the wind. “Well, I think you are. And I’m going to tell everyone I meet.”
