She backs away toward the bookshelf, grabbing a title out, wielding it in front of her like a damn shield.
Like that will stop me.
“Please,” she rasps. “I’m sorry!”
Cackles have her folding over, the book dropping to the floor. I’m on her in a heartbeat, taking her to the ground. With her underneath me, I grab her wrists, pinning them to the floor above her head. She bucks under me, fits of giggles bursting from those pretty damn lips. I straddle her, my knees by her hips.
“What was that, Evie? I didn’t hear you. You say something about wasting the hard-earned food I provide for you?” The words slip through a half smirk, half laugh.
Her giggles peter out when she realizes our position. “I’m sorry I wasted your food, Cal.”
Cal.
Not Callum.
Or Ass.
JustCal.
Thirteen
EVIE
The harbor is all waving, glittery water, colorful marina lights, and lit-up buildings as the boat slows, gliding into the slip by the second dock. Cal’s been chattering away about this tiny seaside town and all its glory since we left the island. It’s not like he needs to sell me on this place. Already, I am dreading the thought of returning to the city.
“Jump out and tie us off,” he says, eyes lit up like Bay Shore under tonight’s bright moon and shimmering stars. I huff a breath and step over the boat’s side, praying my footing sticks.
It does, and I turn back in time to catch the rope flying from his hands. Happiness has his face beaming. The moon’s got some competition. He and Iris are surely close if she can pry that particular face from this grump of a man. I wouldn’t know. Being an only child, the closest person I have to a sibling is Allie. But I imagine my face looks something like joy when she’s with me. I hope it does.
The dock is busy.
People mill about their boats. A few are leaving the marina, hauling the mooring ropes in, and some are returning home. It’s friendly and oddly comforting to feel the spirit of comradery echoing all around.
“Eve!” A tall figure jumps onto the dock from the parking lot by the Coast Guard building and closes in.
Emmett.
“Hi!”
“Here goes,” Cal grunts from somewhere in the boat cabin.
A giggle bubbles through my lips. Emmett folds me into a hug like I’m his long-lost friend, and I let out a surprised squeak.
“Emmett. Happy birthday.”
“Thanks, Miss Eve. You bring the grump or captain this old girl yourself?”
Cal appears, pulling his cap off and tossing it back into the cabin, giving Emmett a dirty look. “As if I would miss the one time a year I can talk shit about you.”
“Oh, nice. Thought you’d spare me the humiliation in front of Eve.”
“Not a chance, bud.”
My brows lower of their own accord. “Never mind him.” I turn to Emmett. “I wouldn’t believe a word out of that mouth anyway.”
Emmett laughs, hearty, as he slaps a hand to Callum’s back. “I think I like her more than you.”
“Ha ha. See how that pans out. It’s all fun and games until she hears about your senior year jock itch and the way Suzie Hamlin had to ice?—”
