16. Henrik
SIXTEEN
HENRIK
I’ve learned that Carina is so much more than shy and gorgeous.
She’s funny, passionate, kind, intelligent, and focused.
We harbor a connection unlike anything I’ve experienced before.
Although this, whatever it is, is new, it already feels deep and meaningful.
It’s like we communicate on a level no one else understands.
We speak ocean. We both felt called to our careers.
The sea is in our blood; a lifeline to our souls.
Before we finished our marathon coffee date, three hours after it began, we exchanged numbers.
That evening, I force myself to wait a respectable number of hours before I reach out to her.
Me
I had such a good time today. Thanks for joining me.
Siren
Thanks for the invite. I’m enjoying getting to know you.
Me
Me too. Speaking of, I forgot to get your address for our date.
Thank you. I made reservations at the Chop House for seven. Six thirty pickup?
Siren
Sounds great. See you then.
Me
Looking forward to it.
Two days later, just like the day before, I rise early, dress in layers, and fill my thermos with coffee.
My weather app tells me it’s thirty degrees out.
I pull my boots over my wool socks. Next goes on the fleece-lined Carhartt and my knit beanie.
But today, instead of going to the harbor to work on the boat, I have other plans.
Tonight is my date with Carina, and I couldn’t be more excited. This is uncharted waters, and I’m feeling a little antsy. I really like Carina, and I want to impress her. I’m hoping what I’ve planned does just that.
I stop by the harbor to grab gloves off the boat before I head to Glass Beach.
Last night, after I’d made a dinner reservation for Carina and me, an idea came to mind.
I’d called my mom to ask her where could I find sea glass.
I ended up deflecting her steady, nosy questions for ten minutes before threatening to hang up.
In the end, she disclosed I’d find what I was looking for at Glass Beach, and to bring a baggie to collect my findings.
I’d checked the tide calendar to figure out how early I’d need to get up so I can search the beach at low tide.
Climbing from my truck, I inhale a crisp, refreshing breath before I head down the forest trail that leads to the beach. The hike down takes less than half an hour. It’s almost low tide, and I watch the waves recede, hoping to find a lot of sea glass on the shoreline.
Making my way down the beach, my shoulders relax as my lungs fill with salty sea air.
An older woman with short gray hair peeking out of her multicolored knitted hat approaches.
Her walking stick reminds me of the driftwood I climbed on all over Kodiak beaches when I was growing up.
Her black Labrador excitedly wags his tail and kicks up sand as he runs around her. When our eyes connect, he barks at me.
“Fantastic morning,” I say to the woman as she passes and before I begin my hunt.
Filling my bag with various sizes of colorful sea glass doesn’t take long. Wiping the wet sand off, the morning sun reflects off the worn pieces. When I’ve filled my sandwich bag almost half full, I head back to my truck.
It’s almost ten when I make it back to the docks. Chores on the Brina should keep me occupied until the afternoon.
Hours later, a familiar voice calls from the deck of the Brina. “Henrik, you up there?”
I step out of the wheelhouse. “Eirik, my man. What are you up to?”
He takes his ball cap off and scratches his head. “I suspect, probably the same as you.”
Stepping down the ladder, I join him on the deck. Looking at his shirt, I see oil stains everywhere. “From the looks of it, you must’ve been working on the engine with Brock.”
Eirik laughs. “Brock, yes, but it was the hydraulic lift we were working on. He said she was jerky during king season and since opie season is a no-go, I have time to fix it. I want to make sure she’s ready for summer tendering.”
Nodding, I look at my watch and see it’s already four.
I don’t know what it is about the last few days, but my sense of time has been completely skewed.
Or maybe it’s the gorgeous girl on your mind?
I couldn’t argue with that. I had gotten little done on the boat today because I was busy reliving our coffee date.
Thoughts of her soft, blush-colored lips, her angelic eyes, and her blonde hair hijacked my mind.
But it’s more than just her physical attributes. Carina’s beautiful inside and out.
Fantasizing about my evening, I’m brought back to the present when Eirik slaps the back of my head.
I growl, “Was that necessary?”
He shrugs. “I said your name twice, and you didn’t answer. Your eyes were glazed over, and the happy little smile on your face was concerning. So, yeah, I felt the need to knock some sense into you.”
“I have something on my mind,” I say. Someone is more like it.
Eirik narrows his eyes at me. “I’m not much of a talker and neither are you, but are you okay?”
I nod and laugh. “I’m fine. Now stop it with the emotional bullshit. You’re giving me the creeps.”
Eirik holds his hands up. “Okay, I just came to check on you. I stopped by your house the other day to watch the Seahawks game and you weren’t there. Your phone went to voicemail. Were you here working on the boat?”
“No, I wasn’t here. Why didn’t you leave a message?”
“It wasn’t anything important. I was just looking to hang out.”
“Sorry, man. I was having coffee.”
“You were having coffee? With who?” Waiting for my answer, he analyzes me. He tilts his head and pinches his lips tightly.
I put my hands on my hips. “I ran into Carina and asked her to coffee.”
His jaw drops open. “Carina? The mystery woman from Amelia’s spa day? Wait, you had coffee together… for hours?” In front of me, he shifts his feet like he’s conflicted or confused.
“What?” I ask, annoyed by his little jig.
“But for hours?” he asks, astonished. Then he smirks. “Is saying you had coffee together for hours some kind of euphemism for sex?”
Ridiculous. Focusing my frown on him, I growl my displeasure.
I wish. Carina is an absolute goddess. With her round ass, thick thighs, and full breasts, I’d happily worship at the altar of her body…
and her mind. My fantasies about her are constant and far from casual.
With a frown on my face, I groan. “No, it was just coffee. And I learned a lot about her. She’s both a fishery and marine biologist.”
“So, she’s smart and attractive? And you like her? Are you going out for coffee again?” he asks with a wink.
“Yes, there will be more coffee dates. Tonight, I’m taking her to the Chop House.” I grin, pleased with myself. The courage it’d taken for me to ask her out is notable. Except for crab fishing, I don’t take risks like that.
Eirik’s smile widens. “You aren’t holding back, are you?”
I shake my head and grin. “Why should I? Go big or go home.”
He gives my shoulder a slap. He’s happy for me. Moments later, when his face falls, my stomach tightens.
“What?” I huff.
He pulls out his phone and looks at it, laser-focused. Panicked, I pull out my phone, but I’m confused. “Henrik, you said your date is tonight, right?”
I nod.
“Then what are you still doing here?” He sniffs the air and makes a face. “You don’t want to show up smelling like a bait bucket, do you?”
“I don’t smell bad,” I grumble right before I sniff my pits. Still fresh and clean. Eirik smirks. Asshole.
But he’s right. I need to get going so I’m not late to pick her up.
“Get off my boat. I have to go.”
As he’s stepping off the boat, he yells up at me, “Have fun tonight, Henrik.” Then he disappears down the dock before I even have a chance to reply.
Hustling, I wrap up what I’m working on and make sure I’ve turned everything off before I make my way out of the harbor.
An hour later, I’m standing in front of my closet in only a pair of athletic shorts, cursing my outfit choices, when there’s a knock at the door. Not expecting anyone, I set the shirt I was considering on my bed with my best jeans before heading to the front door.
Looking through the peephole, I see a friendly face. Opening the door, I’m met with a warm smile. “Mom. What are you doing here?” I ask as I kiss her round cheek. She flushes as she pats my shoulder. “I may have heard through the grapevine that you have a date tonight.”
“Eirik,” I grit out while grinding my back teeth. “I never should have told him.”
Unperturbed, my mom clicks her tongue at me. “What are you grumping about? Eirik didn’t tell me.” Then she pushes her way into my house, setting her purse on the back of my leather couch.
Shocked at her confession, I scowl. “Then who told you?”
Turning toward me, she straightens her shirt, puts her hands on her high-waisted mom jeans, and smirks.
“It’s not about who told me. I came to see if it’s true and to make sure you have everything you need for tonight.
” At five foot four, she may be almost a foot shorter than me, but she’s a force to be reckoned with.
Still a bit stunned, I question, “Everything I need for tonight?” My mind goes to sex.
I picked up condoms at the store earlier.
When I looked in my nightstand yesterday, I realized the ones I had were out of date.
I’m not expecting anything to happen tonight, but I want to be prepared for if it does. And I hope it does, someday.
The temperature in the room seems to go up. This is awkward. Is my mom asking about that? No. I shake my head. She keeps smiling. “You know I’m a grown man, right? I don’t need my mom to help me get ready for a date. I have everything covered.”
Her face falls and her bright blue eyes dim. “I know. I just want to remind you to be a gentleman and use your manners.”
I pull her into a hug. “Mom, I appreciate you care. You raised me right, so I’m confident I will be nothing but a gentleman with Carina.” At the sound of her name on my lips, my heart skips a beat.
“Carina? Isn’t she the beautiful marine biologist who grew up here and left for school?
” Surprised she knows who Carina is, I laugh.
“What?” she asks, her blue eyes now full of mischief.
Growing up here, I learned at a very young age that town gossip is intense, and the knitting and book groups are just as influential in politics as the city council.
Stroking my beard, I admit, “Sometimes I forget how small of a town Kodiak is.”
She pats her perfectly coifed blonde hair and laughs. “Now, where are you taking her, and what are you wearing?”
Leading her back to my bedroom, I see the shirt and jeans I abandoned on the bed. “We’re going to the Chop House, and I was just picking out my outfit.” I watch as she takes in my choice. Her lips curl in disgust as she points at the shirt and jeans. “That’s not it, right?”
“Maybe,” I say, shrugging. She shakes her head no. Then what am I going to wear?
My mom moves to my closet and thumbs through my limited supply of clothes.
I’m a fisherman, what do you expect? Bespoke suits?
Pushing everything to the side, she pulls out a pair of plain, flat-front black dress slacks I wore for family pictures a few months earlier.
“Do you still have the blue button-up shirt that goes with this?” Good call, Mom. I’d forgotten all about those.
“I do.” Pushing deeper into my closet, I pull the shirt out and set it aside. Once that’s done, I hunt for the belt, shoes, and socks. With my entire outfit located, I look at my mom. “Thank you for your help.”
On her way out, she notices the bouquet lying on my table. “Nice choice, Henrik.” She pecks me on my cheek, then says, “Have fun tonight. I love you,” before breezing out the door.
“Love you too, Mom. And thank you again,” I say, waving her off.
Feeling more confident with my outfit selected, I head off to trim my beard and shower.