Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 128211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 641(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 641(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
“Are you trying to get laid?” I asked, fingers tangling in his hair and pulling his mouth to mine. “Because it’s working.”
He laughed against my lips. “No time for that now, love.”
“The engine room would beg to differ.”
“Aye, well, I’ll not be rushing things the next time I get to touch you.” He spanked the side of my ass, checking the time on his watch before his eyes found me again. “What about you?”
“What about me?”
“What do you want after we leave this show behind us?”
I let out a heavy sigh. “If you would have asked me that even two weeks ago, I would have said all I wanted was for my father to watch the show and realize I’m making something of myself, that I’m a daughter he can be proud of. But now?” I shook my head. “I think I’ve realized that approval will never come, and I’m okay with that. Because this season has shown me that I’m enough for myself. It’s my life to live — not my father’s. I love this career. I love traveling and meeting interesting people and living the yacht life. At least for now,” I added with a shrug. “Who knows what the future will hold. Maybe I’ll end up running a chic restaurant with the best chef in the world.”
I said that last part jokingly, but a part of me tingled with excitement at the thought. It was no secret that I loved dinner service — it was by far my favorite part of running a yacht as chief stew. Part of me wondered if I’d enjoy crafting the experience of a restaurant with Finn, if he’d ever see me as a partner.
What could we build together, now that we weren’t being young and stupid?
The clink of silverware against porcelain was the only sound in the quiet restaurant that night as Captain Gary stood at the head of the long table, champagne flute raised. A slow smile pulled at his sun-wrinkled face as he swept his gaze over the crew — each of us in our civilian clothes, relaxed and glowing under the warm twinkle of string lights overhead.
“Well,” Captain said, voice thick with humor and fatigue. “I can’t say this was the easiest season I’ve ever done. Not by a long shot.” Laughter rippled through the group, a shared acknowledgment of the chaos we’d barely survived. Everyone outside of me and Finn were back to a unified group.
We were the outsiders.
But we were content in that, Finn’s hand holding tight to mine under the table. It didn’t bother us that only Captain Gary included us in the group conversation over dinner. Once he left, we knew we’d be ignored.
That was fine by us.
“I will say, despite the hurdles — and there were plenty — you lot kept the guests happy, kept that old bucket afloat, and put on one hell of a show, whether you meant to or not.” Captain’s grin widened. “I’m proud of you. All of you. Thanks for not making me fire any of your asses.” He lifted his glass higher. “Cheers to surviving the Sinking Sun.”
“Cheers!” we echoed, lifting our glasses high before we drank the crisp bubbles down.
The words landed heavy and sweet in my chest. All day long, I’d been floating in a kind of haze, the way I imagined someone might feel after completing an Ironman race. I felt accomplished and depleted at the same time, proud and exhausted, so high off adrenaline I could fight a tank, and also so bone-deep tired I could sleep for the rest of my life.
We’d made it.
Somehow, some way — bruised, battered, and a little broken — we’d made it.
Captain Gary stood, shaking hands with Palmer first before he turned to me as I pushed my chair out. It wasn’t goodbye officially yet, we’d say our final farewells in the morning, but Cap seemed to be leaving a little piece of something with each of us tonight.
“Ember,” he said, his grin wide and warm as he took me into an embrace. He held me tight, giving me a little pat on the back as he released me. He looked around before lowering his voice. “This was a tough one, aye? But listen, it isn’t over for you. Not if you don’t want it to be. I think you handled these last two charters with absolute poise. And at the risk of sounding like a broken record, I’m proud of you. You have my respect — and my recommendation. No matter what you choose to do next.”
“Thank you, Captain,” I said, offering a small smile. “That means a lot to me.”
He nodded, squeezing my shoulder, and then he moved on to Finn while I took my seat again.
There was a deep pit in the middle of my stomach once Captain Gary was gone. I longed to talk to Leah, but knew it was no use. I wished for a moment to explain myself to Eli, but felt I didn’t deserve his forgiveness even if he’d give it to me. I even found myself wanting to make amends with Gisella, but the way she glared at me as soon as Captain left and then flicked her hair over her shoulder and turned her back on us to effectively cut us from the group, I knew I didn’t stand a chance.