Chapter 31
Chapter Thirty-One
Taylor had all her clothes out on the bed, trying to pare down what she truly needed to take and what needed to go. With limited room on the boat and the tiny size of her allotted storage, every piece had to count. Sam had got her into the shop earlier in the week to fit her out in some proper sailing clothes, including full offshore gear for when the weather no doubt turned sour at times. Which meant even less room to bring her other clothes. She sighed as she stared at the clothes on the bed.
There was a soft rap on the door. Jess stood leaning against it as Belle trotted past and into the room. She eyed the bed with a smirk. “How’s the packing?”
“Don’t ask. Belle, be careful of the clothes.” The dog proceeded to ignore her, jumping straight onto them then making herself comfortable on her pillow. She held up two tops to Jess. “How do I choose between these? You know I love them both.”
Jess nodded her chin towards the right shirt. “Go practical. You don’t need a button-down shirt on a boat. Nothing that needs ironing or is fancy. You’ll want to throw stuff on, and you can’t go wrong with layers.”
Taylor threw the button-down shirt onto the “donate” pile, folding up the other one neatly. “This is why you should be packing for me, you’d do a much better job.”
“I’ve got some packing to do of my own,” Jess threw out.
Taylor whirled on her, mouth gaping. “What?!”
“Well, as it turns out, my best friend is abandoning me for a life of yachting luxury.” She pretended to sniff. “Soooo… Adam and I are moving in together. Or, specifically, I’m helping him move in with me, here. He can’t match his socks, let alone pack them, so wish me luck making this work.”
“No way! I’m so happy for you.” She took the last few strides between them and wrapped Jess up in an extra squeezy hug.
“Thank you,” Jess barely managed to breath out under Taylor’s hold before Taylor finally released her. “I mean, it made sense. I didn’t want some random roommate, and we’ve been together over a year now. It’s the next logical step.”
She looked both excited and nervous at the idea.
“Hey, it’s gotta go better than when Liz and I were both living with you,” Taylor replied.
“Ugh, don’t remind me. Three’s definitely a crowd, but I am looking forward to seeing how we live together. That change of being around Adam even more, waking up next to him… I think I’m ready for that?” Jess gave a small nod, as if to reassure herself.
“You certainly don’t have to talk to me about jumping in the deep end.” Taylor raised her hand. “Exhibit A, diving right in.”
Jess shook her head, smiling. “I still can’t believe you’re doing it, and I’m going to miss you like crazy, but what an opportunity.”
“Yeah, plus, we kept in touch on my van trip. It won’t be much different from that. Although I’m sure our internet will be patchy in some areas. If only you could deliver some of your food to us, I’m going to miss that lasagne.”
“Well, from what I hear, you’re going to be well looked after with Nauti Sam’s cooking. That leftover pasta she made was insanely good.”
“Hey, I helped make that too.” Taylor stood with her hands on her hips.
“We both know you can’t cook.” Jess gave her a pointed look.
“Well, I’m learning . I branched out and made poached eggs for breakfast this morning.”
“And how did that turn out?”
“They were harder than I would’ve liked, but still soft enough for my first go.”
“Look at you, moving up in the world.”
“Well I do want to try and earn my keep onboard.”
“I can’t wait to see the boat in person.”
“And we can’t wait to show you!”
They’d scrambled together plans for a low-key send-off the day before they set sail. Taylor only had her friends coming down, and Sam had invited her dad, of course, Alex and Will, and a few of her favourite boaties. It all made it feel a lot more real, and the days were slipping through their fingers.
“Ease the red one.” Taylor slowly released the line on Sam’s command. They were taking Manny for a twilight sail, and Sam was literally showing her the ropes.
“Perfect, Tay!” Sam encouraged her. “Annnnd now pull.” The boat started to heel, nice and responsive as she trimmed the sail. Working on boats was one thing, but actually sailing them? It was a whole other kettle of fish. She loved seeing all the parts in motion that she usually worked on. Though she still couldn’t help herself looking at the current rope setup in the jammers. She was already planning to replace one or two of the ropes before they left to make the colours more differentiated between each other.
Every boat setup was unique in some way, so Taylor felt good that she was finally getting the hang of Manny—the feel as it sliced through the water, guiding it easily with Sam’s input here and there, or the way the different sails responded with the simplest of adjustments. She couldn’t wipe the grin off her face as she took it all in, the sun warming her whole body as it began its descent for the evening.
They’d been hanging out for a day like this, with the sun out and the water shimmering, a light afternoon sea breeze—perfect for Taylor to learn the handling of the boat and test out Belle on board.
The staffy sat up the front, the wind making her ears flap around wildly like she’d stuck her face out a car window. For her first trip, she’d picked it up as quickly as she had on the paddleboard, full of confidence, like she was made to be on the water. They’d made sure to doggy-proof the boat together first, putting up netting around the railing, getting a fake grass patch and adding a pet-specific first aid kit too. They were also staying on the boat for a few nights before they left to see how Belle would go on a longer stint.
With everything settling into place and less than two weeks to go, Taylor could not wait to start this new adventure with Sam. But first, it was time to properly “meet the parents”—well, Sam’s dad specifically. He seemed like a great guy, even if parents usually scared the hell out of her. Whether or not it was from not being close with her own parents, she didn’t know. But she was looking forward to having it over and done with.
Sam jumped up the front of the boat to drop the anchor and give them a short break. Belle looked on in curiosity, her head tilted as the rope whirled out, the anchor sinking into the depths. “She is too cute,” said Sam, watching her.
“She’s fascinated.” Taylor leaned back on the seat to get a better look at the both of them. “She’s been an absolute star so far. I’m so relieved. I’m not sure what I would’ve done if she didn’t like being with us today.”
“Agreed.” Sam made her way back, slinking her arms around Taylor as she sat behind her on the edge of the cockpit. Taylor leaned back into the hug as Sam gave her a squeeze. “I’m so happy you’re both here. My life literally feels like a dream right now. I couldn’t imagine any of this happening a few months ago.”
“Oh yeah? What did you imagine?”
Sam hummed in thought. “That I would still be tinkering away on that bird’s nest of wires below deck, heading to work as usual, contemplating that very distant, far-off idea of a boat trip, which I also thought would never actually eventuate.”
“And now you’re here.”
“Now here I am.” She hummed again, resting her chin on Taylor’s shoulder, their heads leaning together as the boat lightly bobbed in the water. The sound of tippy tappy claws made them turn to see one very happy puppy making her way down the side of the boat.
“Oh hey, Belle. Decided to grace us with your presence in the cockpit? We thought you wouldn’t deign to step a paw down here.” Belle pointedly ignored Taylor’s rambling, walking to the very back of the boat and waving her tail frantically.
A couple of dolphins popped up for air, breaking through the water in unison… and it all made sense. “Oh, you’re just back here to say hi to them .” Belle jumped up to lean on the railing— thank god they’d put the netting up —as she started whining, her paws tip-tapping trying to climb over.
“Uh-uh,” Taylor told her off. “You may be wearing a lifejacket, but you’re not swimming with the dolphins today. We’d never get you back in the boat.” She rolled her eyes at Sam, who laughed.
“Still your fault,” Taylor said good-naturedly. Sam poked out her tongue in response.
Once Taylor had got Belle away from the edge and settled, she came back and cuddled into Sam again. This time, she lay back, her head resting on Sam’s legs so she could look up at her.
“I was thinking about what you said before, about where you thought you’d be if we hadn’t crossed paths. So now that you are going on this trip, do you know what you’ll do when you get back, with the shop sold and everything?”
“Honestly, I haven’t really thought about it at all, and that in and of itself is kind of freeing. I’ve got savings, so I don’t feel like I would need to rush to find something straight away either.”
“Maybe we could work on boats together.” The thought suddenly sprung to Taylor’s mind. She got more excited the more she thought about it. “I mean, you have SO much boat knowledge—both lived experience and theory with all the parts. I’m sure you wouldn’t be half-bad with a pair of dikes and strippers in your hands either.”
Sam barked out a laugh. “Seems we’ve been full of crazy ideas together lately. First I ask you to sail around the country, and now you’re wanting to go into business together? We really are u-hauling it!”
Taylor looked at her with wide eyes. “You made a lesbian joke!”
“I may or may not have done a little research.” Sam grinned, leaning down for a kiss. She bit down on Taylor’s bottom lip, releasing it as she added, “Oh and I definitely have top energy.” Her grin widened, as she manoeuvred them around until she was straddling Taylor, arms bracketing her in against the side of the cockpit.
“I’m not mad about this fact at all,” Taylor replied, as Sam leaned in for another kiss.
They’d barely made it back in time for dinner, their make-out session turning more heated than anticipated. Not that Taylor was complaining. At all.
They walked hand in hand up to Matt’s boat, the breeze really starting to pick up as the night air cooled. Taylor felt her hands starting to get clammy, and she fought the urge to shake them out, choosing to squeeze Sam’s hand instead and give her a tight smile.
Sam brought them to a stop at the edge of the pontoon before they stepped on board. “You good?” she checked, watching her closely.
“Yeah, I just get a little weird around parents.”
Sam squeezed her hand back. “Dad is like the least parent-y parent I know, plus you’ve already met him a few times around the place, so the hardest part is already over.”
“But that was before I was your girlfriend.”
“Well you are still you ,” said Sam, poking her in the chest with her free hand. “Nothing’s changed, you’ve got this.” She pressed a soft kiss to her cheek. Taylor felt it all the way to her toes. She closed her eyes and nodded. She could do this. Just don’t think about the fact that you just fu ?—
“Sammy! Taylor, great to see you again.” Matt popped up from the cabin. “I thought I heard voices. Come in, come in.” He ushered them on.
Taylor felt her face flush. Stop thinking. She jumped into girlfriend mode, hopping up on the boat first, and holding out her hand to help Sam on. “Thank you,” Sam said, stepping onto the deck. As they turned, she caught Matt watching them with a soft smile. One point to her at least.
“Hope you’re hungry,” Matt said, once they’d taken their seats around the table. Sam had wedged herself right into the corner, with Taylor sliding in alongside her.
She took in the boat: all rich woods, super comfy cream lounges and white ceilings. It felt very homey with warm overhead lights. She couldn’t help but relax a little more as they sat, Matt pottering around in the kitchenette.
“I’ve made chicken shit!” he singsonged, grinning at both of them.
If she’d been drinking, Taylor would’ve spat it out as she felt her eyes round like saucers. Sam caught her reaction and started cackling, grabbing Taylor’s hand in hers.
“He means chicken parmigiana . It’s a family joke. When Mum used to make it when I was little, Dad would always say ‘make that chicken shit’, and it stuck around.”
“Oooohhhhh. I love it. The story and the parmigiana.”
“You haven’t tried it yet,” Matt piped up. “Sam’s a better cook than me.”
“I’m sure it’s great, Mr. Garner.”
He laughed. “Call me Matt, please. We aren’t fancy around here,” he said, bringing the plates over.
Dinner was much better than Matt gave himself credit for. She devoured the dish, finishing the whole thing embarrassingly earlier than the other two.
“Well, as you can see, I really did love it.” Taylor chuckled, gesturing at the empty plate. Matt smiled back, his mouth still full of chicken.
“If you’re lucky, I might make this for us again on our trip,” Sam offered.
“Hell yeah!” Taylor replied, forgetting herself in front of Matt. “I mean, yes please.”
Matt gave her a look. “I’m a sailor, Taylor. I don’t give a shit about swearing.” He grinned, making her smile too. She was starting to like him more and more.
Conversation flowed easier than Taylor was anticipating as the night went on. They talked mainly about the trip, with Taylor filling them both in on what she’d been learning between her Day Skipper theory course and Bareboat Cruising book so far. While she knew a lot about fixing boats, she needed to bring herself up to speed with navigation, reading charts and just all round being more useful to Sam beyond just a tradie lady.
Instead of Taylor Time, it looks like she was turning into Taylor Sailor instead.