Chapter 28
KENSEY
Istood in front of my bedroom mirror and barely recognized myself.
The dress Annika had sent over was stunning.
A sage color that somehow worked for me.
The fabric was light and flowing, perfect for a yacht party, with a fitted bodice and a skirt that moved when I walked.
It fell mid shin, elegant without being too formal.
The back dipped lower than anything I would normally wear, but not so low I felt exposed. Just enough to make me feel dangerous.
I turned sideways, checking the fit. It was perfect. Of course it was perfect. Annika didn’t do anything that wasn’t perfect.
“Kensey!” Mom called from downstairs. “He’s here!”
My stomach flipped. I grabbed the small clutch Annika had included—sage green leather that matched the dress—and slipped my phone inside. Annika had even sent big, black designer sunglasses. I felt like a movie star.
One last look in the mirror. Hair down in loose waves. Minimal makeup because I was going to be on a boat and didn’t trust anything heavier not to melt off my face. Simple gold earrings.
I looked good. Better than good. I looked like I belonged at a yacht party with the Blackwells. That thought should have terrified me. Instead, knowing Drew would be at my side through all of it, I felt confident. Excited.
I walked downstairs carefully in the strappy sandals Annika had also sent.
Drew was standing in the living room talking to my father about something boat related.
He looked up when I reached the bottom step.
His expression changed. Softened. His eyes swept over me from head to toe and back up again, lingering on my breasts.
The dress allowed a decent amount of cleavage.
Not too much, but nothing like I’d ever exposed in the past. I was a teacher.
The girls were put away nine months out of the year.
“Wow,” he said finally.
I did a little turn. “Is it too much?”
“It’s perfect.” He crossed the room and took my hand, lifting it so I’d spin again. “You’re perfect.”
“You look pretty good yourself.”
He did. Cream linen pants, a short-sleeved light blue button-up, brown leather boat shoes. His hair was styled but looked effortlessly tousled. Sunglasses tucked into his shirt pocket. He looked like he’d stepped out of a yacht catalog.
“Pictures!” Mom announced, appearing from the kitchen with her phone already raised.
“Mom, no.”
“You two look beautiful. I’m taking pictures.”
Drew laughed and pulled me closer, his arm around my waist. “You heard the woman.”
We posed in front of the fireplace. Then by the front door. Then outside on the porch. Mom took approximately three hundred photos, directing us like we were on a professional shoot.
“Mom, we’re going to be late.”
“It’s fine,” Drew said easily.
When Mom’s photoshoot finally ended, we headed out. I didn’t grab his hand, which felt weird, but I didn’t want to confuse my parents.
“You two have a good time,” Dad said. “Don’t fall off the boat.”
“Solid advice, Mr. Blake.”
I slid into the passenger seat and let out a breath.
“Your parents are fun,” Drew said, starting the engine.
“They’re ridiculous. Thank you for the dress. It’s gorgeous.”
“Thank Annika. I just told her to pick something nice.”
The marina was in Long Beach, about forty minutes south. Drew drove with one hand on the wheel and the other reaching across the console, resting on my thigh. We didn’t talk much. Just the radio playing and the windows cracked to let in the ocean air.
When we pulled into the marina parking lot, I saw it immediately. The yacht was massive. White and gleaming in the afternoon sun, three levels high with a steady stream of people walking toward it.
“Drew. That’s not a yacht. That’s a floating hotel.”
He laughed and parked the car. “It’s decent.”
“Decent,” I repeated. “Okay.”
We walked down the dock toward the boat. Other guests were already boarding. I recognized a few faces from the beach club event. Beautiful people in beautiful clothes holding champagne flutes and laughing.
I felt the nerves kick in again. Drew must have felt me tense because he squeezed my hand.
“You’re fine,” he said quietly. “I’ve got you.”
We walked up the gangway. A crew member in crisp whites greeted us and directed us to the main deck. The space opened up into an outdoor lounge area with white cushioned seating, teak wood floors, and tables already set with champagne flutes and appetizers.
“Holy shit,” I breathed. “Drew, this is fancy.”
He shrugged like it was nothing. “It’s fine.”
“Fine.” I looked around at the polished brass railings, the pristine furniture, the number of crew practically outnumbering the guests. “If this is fine, what’s great?”
“My yacht kicks this yacht’s ass,” he said casually.
I stopped walking and stared at him. “I’m sorry, your what?”
“I’ve told you about my yacht.”
I shook my head. “You told me you had a boat. I pictured liked a speedboat. Not a mansion on the water.”
“Well, technically my yacht is a little smaller than this one, but it’s way nicer. Everything custom to my specifications.”
I laughed. I couldn’t help it. “Is this what billionaires worry about? Who has the best yacht?”
He grinned. “Among other things.”
“Why didn’t you have the party on your yacht then?”
“Because the cleanup is a nightmare,” he said. “You get a couple hundred people on a boat, things get messy. Food everywhere, drinks spilled, someone always ends up puking overboard. I’d rather let someone else deal with that.”
“Practical.”
Callum appeared with Victoria at his side. She looked stunning in a white sundress, her hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail.
“There you are,” Callum said, clapping Drew on the shoulder. “Thought you might bail.”
“And miss free food? Never. Plus this is a Blackwell Summer event. So my attendance is mandatory.”
Victoria hugged me. “You look amazing,” she said. “That color is perfect on you.”
I smiled at her. “Thank you. You look gorgeous.”
“This old thing?” She waved a hand dismissively, but she was smiling, too.
“I didn’t think you were coming,” Drew said.
“Mom insisted she watch the baby and Victoria is hoping to work her magic and talk up the charity,” Callum said.
“Smart.” I smiled.
Victoria winked. “Little champagne, sun and ocean breeze, and people are far more generous.”
Cleo found us a few minutes later. More compliments on the dress, more champagne pressed into my hands. The yacht’s engines rumbled to life beneath us and I felt the subtle shift as we pulled away from the dock.
I walked to the railing and looked out at the marina getting smaller behind us. The water was a deep blue, the sky cloudless except for a few big fluffy clouds on the horizon. The breeze picked up as we gained speed, lifting my hair off my shoulders.
Drew came to stand beside me, his arm sliding around my waist.
“Not a bad view,” he said.
“Definitely.”
He smiled. “You don’t get seasick, do you? I didn’t think to ask.”
“I’m good. Just want to take it all in.”
The yacht cut through the water smoothly, heading out toward open ocean. The coastline stretched to our left. It was beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.
“Thank you for bringing me,” I said.
“Thank you for coming.” He kissed my temple. “Want to explore?”
“Yes.”
We wandered through the yacht hand in hand.
The main deck had the outdoor lounge we’d started in, plus a covered dining area set with a long table.
The second level had a smaller, more intimate lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows and a full bar.
The third level was open to the sky with lounge chairs and another bar setup.
Everywhere we went, there were people. Laughing, drinking, eating from the endless trays of appetizers the crew kept circulating. I recognized more faces now. The rich, powerful, and beautiful people of the west coast all in one place.
But I wasn’t overwhelmed. Not with Drew beside me, introducing me easily, steering conversations away when I looked like I needed a break.
He knew me well enough to read the signs.
We ended up on the third level, away from the densest clusters of people.
Drew grabbed two champagne flutes from a passing server and handed me one.
“To yacht parties,” he said, raising his glass.
“To yacht parties,” I echoed.
We clinked glasses and drank.
“This is surreal,” I said.
“Good surreal or bad surreal?”
“Good.” I leaned against the railing and looked out at the water. “Definitely good.”
“I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me too.”
A crew member appeared with a tray of small plates. Seared scallops on some kind of puree. Tiny crostini with what looked like tuna tartare. Something involving lobster.
“Hungry?” Drew asked.
“Always.”
Micah and Hollis appeared, drinks in hand, looking sun drunk and happy. “There you are!”
I smiled as Hollis launched into an enthusiastic monologue about his wellness brand. “We’re so close,” he said. “A few of our products are finalized and ready to ship. The website launches soon. I’ve got this whole rollout planned.”
“That’s amazing,” I said. His passion was infectious.
“We’ll see how it goes. Could be a complete disaster.”
“It won’t be,” Drew said. “You’ve been working on this for years.”
Micah jumped in then, redirecting the conversation. “Everything’s ready for the Sidewalk Market, by the way. All the vendors confirmed, the setup is locked in, and we’re good to go.”
“That’s a relief,” Drew said.
“It’s going to be great,” Micah said. “Seriously. The energy’s going to be completely different from the beach club thing. More relaxed. More fun. More money being spent.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” I said.
The brothers hung around for a few more minutes before their attention drifted toward a group of women near the bar. Hollis caught Micah’s eye and jerked his head in that direction.
“We should go mingle,” Hollis said, not even trying to be subtle about it.
“Support the family,” Micah added with a grin.
“Enjoy the free booze, you mean,” Drew said.
“That too.” Hollis clapped Drew on the shoulder. “Nice to see you, Kensey. That dress is killer.”
“Thanks.”
They disappeared into the crowd, leaving Drew and me alone again. We stood at the railing for a while longer, just enjoying the view and the breeze. The champagne was making me feel warm and loose. Happy.
“I need to find a restroom,” I said eventually.
“Down one level, toward the back,” Drew said. “You good on your own?”
“I think I can manage.”
He kissed my temple. “I’ll be right here.”
I made my way down the stairs carefully, navigating around clusters of guests. The yacht was even more impressive inside. Everything gleamed. The bathroom was nicer than most hotel bathrooms I’d been in, all marble and gold fixtures and soft lighting.
I took my time, fixing my hair and reapplying my lip gloss. I felt good. Better than good. I felt like I belonged here, which was a strange and wonderful feeling. Being on Drew’s arm was a huge confidence boost. He made me feel pretty.
When I came back up to the third level, I spotted Drew immediately.
He was still at the railing where I’d left him, but now he wasn’t alone.
Three women had materialized around him, all wearing dresses so small and tight I wasn’t sure how they were breathing.
One was pressed against his side, practically humping his leg.
Another was leaning forward, giving him a clear view down her dress.
The third was twirling her hair and batting her eyelashes so hard I was surprised she didn’t take flight.
Heat flashed over me like someone had cranked up the sun. Jealousy. That’s what that feeling was. Pure, visceral jealousy.
I watched them for a moment. Drew looked polite but uncomfortable, his body language closed off in a way I recognized. They weren’t taking the hint. They were circling like sharks and they smelled my man’s blood in the water.
This was his life. This was what he dealt with constantly.
Beautiful women throwing themselves at him everywhere he went.
And I was going back to New Jersey in a few weeks.
What happened then? Long distance didn’t work.
I knew that. Everyone knew that. And even if we tried, even if we really committed to making it work, how long before one of these women succeeded?
How long before he got lonely and someone like the blonde currently trying to touch his chest made herself available?
As if he felt me watching, Drew’s eyes found mine across the deck. His expression shifted immediately. Relief flooded his face. He gave me a look that said everything without words. It was the kind of look couples shared, the silent communication that came from really knowing someone.
His look said, Save me.
I smiled and started walking toward him. The jealousy didn’t disappear entirely, but it quieted. That look was just for me. I’d seen him charm people before. This wasn’t that. This was him being cornered and looking for an exit.
As soon as I was close enough, Drew’s arm shot out and wrapped around my waist, pulling me against his side like I was a life preserver. The motion pushed the two women away. The other one clung like a barnacle to the underside of a boat.
“There you are.” He looked at the three women and smiled. “Ladies, meet my girlfriend, Kensey.”
The word landed like a bomb. Girlfriend. He’d never said it before. We hadn’t discussed labels or what we were calling this thing between us. But hearing him say it out loud, claiming me in front of these women, sent a thrill through me that had nothing to do with the champagne.
The women’s faces fell. Anger, disappointment, and jealousy. And then they were all inspecting me. Let them look. I looked good. I might not have my tits out and be a size two, but I looked good.
“Oh,” the blonde said flatly. “How nice.”
“Kensey, this is…” Drew paused, clearly having no idea what their names were. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your names.”
“Doesn’t matter,” the brunette pouted.
“You know, my brothers Hollis and Micah are around here somewhere. They’re both very single. You should go find them.”
The effect was instantaneous. The three women perked up like kids hearing about free candy and puppies.
“Last I saw, they were near the bar on the second level,” I said.
They practically tripped over each other trying to get down the stairs.
I watched them go, then looked up at Drew. “Girlfriend?”
“I figured it was simpler than getting into our whole relationship,” he said. “Friends that fuck.”
My eyes widened. “Drew!”
He laughed. “Too crass.”
It was funny. But I couldn’t ignore the wave of disappointment.
I would love it if we made it official. Yes, it was messy and complicated, but if we made it official, couldn’t we figure out the rest?
I wanted him to want me, to feel as torn up about the ticking clock over our heads as I did.
He seemed to have accepted the inevitable and that was that.
I was the one falling apart on the inside.