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Maddy looked her up and down approvingly,“Yes, that’s perfect. Do you have a hat and warm coat? The high isin the 20’s today. I packed you a scarf and gloves that I found inyour drawer.”

Payson pulled on her coordinating wool capand ski jacket - not that she had ever been skiing, but she’d foundit on sale and fortuitously discovered it looked great on her - andlocked up as they headed out. As soon as they were in the blessedlywarm truck, Maddy turned around so she could see Payson in thebackseat, and asked the dreaded question, raising her eyebrowssuggestively, “How was the date with Gregory last night? Fifthdate, right? Did you finally…?”

Looking horrified, Payson feigned offense,“Hey, just because it’s the fifth date doesn’t mean sex is on themenu.”

Chase interjected, “Didn’t he drive all theway to Seaview and drive you to a fancy dinner? Did he walk you toyour door?”

“Yes,” she admitted.

“Then he was expecting sex. Normally a thirddate milestone, so I’m sure he was impatiently presuming it wasgoing to happen.” Lucky he was keeping his eyes on the road, or hewould have been turned to stone by the death glare shooting hisdirection.

Whacking him on the arm, Maddy tried to help,“You can have sex whenever you feel it’s right. Did you at leastsend him away with a goodnight kiss to remember?”

A scorching, splotchy blush rose from herchest to her cheeks. Dammit. She’d certainly been on the receivingend of a goodnight kiss to remember. Not from dashing, successfulGregory. But from her irritable handyman, her best friend’sbrother. Yikes, she hadn’t thought about that. Would Maddyunderstand better than Aiden had when Maddy and Chase hooked up?Aiden had flipped out at Chase, his best friend sincechildhood.

Chase glanced in the rearview. Seeing herblush, he granted her a reprieve. Nodding at Maddy, he advised,“You can quiz her later. We’re here.” He pulled the truck into aparking spot close to the docks.

Grateful, Payson mouthed,Thank youwhen Chase winked at her via the rearview. Grabbing her leatherovernight bag, Payson dashed out of the truck as soon as Chase shutoff the engine. Careful not to slip on the icy surface, Payson keptto the untouched snowy patches as she headed for the dock.

Maddy cautiously ran after her in her muchmore practical hiking boots. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have pried.”Payson linked elbows with her friend. She might be the one beggingfor forgiveness if things went further between she and Ronan.

“No worries. I’ll fill you in later. It was aweird night, and I’m just not quite sure what to make of it myself.Can I vent when I’m ready? But, let’s just say I won’t be going outwith Gregory again.”

Frank approached from the docks, meeting themto unlock the security gate. “Did anyone want to help Chase withthe bags?” He teased, gesturing to Chase, who was overloaded withsupplies.

Payson glanced back to see Chase hauling hisand Maddy’s bags, as well as a heavy soft-sided cooler that must befull of snacks and drinks for the ride. Payson handed Maddy her ownbag, “I got it.”

She dashed back across the least icy spots tohelp with some of Chase’s heavy load. Not that he needed the help.Guy was built; well over six feet tall with broad shoulders andbulky muscles from years of hard work as a deep-sea diver.

“Thanks for the ride,” she said as shehoisted one of the bags over her shoulder.

Graciously, Chase accepted her help,“Anytime. Have you been out on the boat much?”

Payson shook her head, “I’ve never been outonanyboat.”

A look of shock crossed Chase’s face, “What?How is that possible. You live in a boating town. How have theMcAllisters not dragged you out before today?”

Payson bit her lip nervously, “I, uh, they’vetried, but I’ve been avoiding it. I’ve been a total weanie. But,I’m turning over a new leaf and am determined to enjoyboating.”

His jovial laugh didn’t help her feel betterabout her confession. “Well, despite the cold, it should be niceand calm today.”

Walking down the ramp to the dock, Payson’slegs shook like jelly. The slope was at least nicely roughened-upso she didn’t slip, but the dock was a solid sheet of ice. Theothers walked cautiously but confidently toward the boat.

Not Payson, she tiptoed as if avoidingpotential land mines that may explode at any second, blasting herinto the frigid ocean. She may have squealed now and again when herfeet slipped, but she would never admit the mouse-like sound hadcome from her. Frank took pity on her, taking the bags she carriedand grabbing hold of her hand with his free hand. He led the wayslow and steady, as if guiding a frightened filly.

Boarding the boat was another adventure inand of itself. Frank hopped down before her, standing and holding ahand out to guide her down. Payson looked down at the rolling gapbetween the dock and the boat. Gaping at the several-foot drop downto the floor of the boat, which she would have to surviveafterthe deathly leap across the ice-cold water to thenarrow ledge of the boat wall. How… why?

“You know what? Never mind. I just realized Ireally shouldn’t close the shop today. Not on a weekend. That isjust a reckless business decision. I’ll just walk home. You guyshave fun.” She turned away and took a few steps back down the dock,willing to brave the slippery planks of doom, if it meant nothaving to cross the gigantic chasm between the dock and theboat.

Looking back toward the parking lot, shefroze in her tracks, legs going numb, jaw dropping. Panic quicklysubsiding, astonishment taking over. Sauntering toward her,swaggering really, was a genuine Adonis. Holy shit… Ronan?

Black t-shirt hugging chiseled abs andstretched across powerful shoulders, chestnut hair trimmed short ina stylish fade, face cleanly shaven… all topped off with hisarrogant, devilish half smile as he caught her drooling reaction tohis new look.

Huh. Maybe her hormones had been ontosomething. Made Gregory look like a chump.

Wicked smile somehow growing more arrogant ashe approached, Ronan briefly glanced into the boat as he reachedher, tossed his bag and heavy coat to Chase waiting in the boat.Standing toe to toe, she looked up into his ice blue eyes that werewarm with amusement. As they stared at each other, the onlookersquickly headed into the cabin, suddenly busy with official boatmatters.

“‘Don’t bother coming in today?’” he accusedwith a teasing grin.