Chapter 39
Aria
2 weeks later
I pulled my coat tighter around me. It was a chilly night but there was no fog, at least not yet. Moonlight shimmered on the rippling surface of the marina. Dex’s deep tone rolled out from the wheelhouse. He’d gone in to get us each a beer and received a phone call while inside.
He finished the call and stepped out from the wheelhouse. “That was Angie. Quinn is asking for his favorite burger and fries.” He’d had a permanent smile on his face for three days, since his best friend, Quinn, had woken from his coma. It would take some speech and physical therapy, but the doctors were expecting a full recovery. Dex handed me the beer.
“Asking for his favorite burger—I’d say that’s a very good sign.” I sipped the beer. “Have you given any more thought about your future here in Whisper Cove?” It was a question that had been stuck in my throat all evening. I badly wanted to know as much as I didn’t want to know—especially if it was something I didn’t want to hear.
Before he could answer, he got a text. He seemed glad for the interruption. My shoulders slumped under my puffy coat. Hold it together, Aria . You knew darn well what you were getting into with Dex.
His smile returned.
“Let me guess. He’s requesting a chocolate malt with the burger,” I said lightly, even though I wasn’t feeling all that light.
“No, that was Roger Thurmond, the district attorney who was the go-between for getting the coins back to the owner. The owner said he’s still going to pay the twenty-thousand-dollar reward.”
“Nice. You could do a lot with that money.” Like rent a house in Whisper Cove, so you could stay here with me … forever.
Dex looked up. “Me? That money belongs to you, Aria. You’re the one who found the coins. Not me.”
I shook my head as he spoke. “Nope. I won’t take it. That’s your reward money. All I did was figure out what ‘lyin’ talk’ meant. Oh, and I drove the fast getaway car in the white-knuckler car chase.”
“Best high-speed car chase ever. Wait, I forgot to tell you. Gus is back.”
I ducked down and peered up at the wheelhouse. “Where is he?”
“He’s next door on Oscar’s boat. I guess he likes it better over there. Oscar suggested that he might be a better shipmate because he’s home more often. Gus hardly even looked my way when I walked over to see him.”
“Well, I’m happy for Oscar. After Flipper?—”
“So, you knew Flipper?”
“Only in photos and stories that Oscar used to tell about him.”
We sat in silence, sipping our beers and staring out at the endless ocean. He’d avoided my question altogether, and I decided to leave it for now. Not knowing was eating me up inside, but I didn’t want to seem pushy. I put down my beer and got up to walk to the railing. “We might have a fog-free night. I don’t even see it over the horizon.”
I hadn’t heard him walk up behind me. His arm went around my waist, and I leaned back against his chest. He placed a kiss on my neck. “I’m staying, Aria. If that’s all right. I’ll get a place near town. Quinn and Angie will need my help for a while, and I’m really hoping a certain café owner will consider hiring me … permanently.”
I spun around in his arms. His nearness always made me lightheaded. “I just happen to know that café owner, and I might be able to talk her into it.” I peered up at him. “Do you think it’ll work?”
“I’m willing to try.” He leaned his face down and rubbed his nose against mine. “It’s been a long time since I felt like I belonged somewhere. That’s all you, Aria. You make me feel like I belong.”
I curled my hand around his neck. “That’s because you do belong … right here … with me.” I pulled his face closer and melted into his delicious warmth for a kiss.