"One sec, baby, let me talk to your uncle real quick." The line went silent for a minute or so, and then she was back. "We're okay with it, but we'd like to have a video call with the bride and groom."
"I have a feeling that can be arranged," I said. "Are you sure?"
"Dunc, that big dumb boat sits empty more than it gets used. We're more than happy to lend it to the happy couple for the night."
"You're the actual best, Aunt Low," I said.
"I know. We’ll have the marina crew get the yacht ready. Shoot me a text when the couple is in town and ready to check into the S-S Loveboat."
"I, um, I was planning on just saying it belonged to a family member," I said. "I didn't want to get into who you are."
"Where's the fun in that? Just don't tell them anything before we video call them. Use the screen in the main saloon. You know how to work it?"
"Yeah, I do." I peeked out again and saw that I had a couple people waiting at the bar. "I gotta go, but for real, thank you."
"If this Rune girl turns out to be more than just a friend, I demand to be the first family member she meets. That's my payment for the favor."
"Deal."
"Okay. Love you with all my heart, favorite nephew."
"Love you with all mine, favorite aunt."
I ended the call and shoved the phone in my back pocket as I headed out to the floor to do my job.
For some reason, my idiot brain kept conjuring images of Rune sitting on my lap on the couch at home with the whole Badd clan around us, as if this limited-time-only situationship with Rune could ever be more.
I know the score. I see her keeping me at a certain emotional distance. And to be honest, I'm doing the same thing. I just…I really like her. And I don't want to; I know she has a life elsewhere, and as soon as this wedding is over, she's gonna go back to it.
And it's not like I have the time or space in my life for a relationship anyway—I work open to close most days managing the Kitty. This is what I want to do—I've grown up in the family bars, watching Dad, Mom, and most of my aunts and uncles pitch it and help out around the bars at one point or another. I've watched Delia work her way up to being the Vice President of the Badd's Bar company, and the next in line to be CEO when Dad finally steps into something resembling retirement…not that any of us expect him to ever totally retire.
None of my friends get it. Of the dozen or so guys I was close to from school, eleven of them chose colleges in the lower forty-eight and jobs down there after graduation. The twelfth, Rodrick, joined the Marines and is looking to make a career out of it. Of my entire football team friend group, I'm the only one who chose to stay in Ketchikan and not go to college so I could work at a bar for the rest of my life.
The point is that I take this seriously. I want my dad to know that I'm ready to do this, that this isn't just a job while I figure out my real plan. This is the plan. Just like Delia. I want this life. I want what Mom and Dad have had.
And that means I don't have space for distractions. Managing a whole-ass bar isn't easy. In fact, it's pretty damned hard. I can't afford the distraction of a girl right now, however much part of me may secretly wish the situation with Rune didn't have a built-in expiration date.
I handled the lunch rush. It was after two by the time I got enough of a lull that I could step away long enough to call Rune.
"Duncan, hi," she said, after answering on the second ring. "How is work?"
"Busy morning, which is why it's taken so long to call you back. I do have a place for Raquel and Hamish to stay, but I'm gonna keep the details a secret for now. I get off at six, so could I meet up with you guys once I'm done?"
"Raquel, Hamish!" Rune said, loud and excited. "Duncan found a room for you. We're meeting him at six—where, Duncan?"
"I'll call you when I'm done and we'll figure it out then."
A group of cruise ship tourists swarmed in then, which meant I had to go, so I said my goodbye and went to work.
Six was more like six-thirty by the time I actually was able to leave the bar, but I'd shot Rune a text saying I was running behind. They were sitting down at a restaurant near the marina, and I joined them just in time to order dinner. Despite having never met me, Raquel gave me a warm, friendly hug, and Hamish gave me a back-slapping hug as well.
"So," Rune said, once our food had arrived, "where's this room?"
I grinned. "I had to get creative, but I think you'll really like it," I answered. "It's actually really close to here. But I'm gonna keep the details a surprise. It's more fun that way."
Hamish frowned. "There're no hotels anywhere near here, and nothin’ in Ketchikan at all with vacancy,” he said. "So I admit I'm a wee bit confused." The man's Scottish accent was thick as a concrete mixer from DQ, and his appearance—brawny, red-haired and -bearded, wearing flannel and denim—matched the accent perfectly, in my head, at least.
I just grinned. "You'll see."
