7. Gage
GAGE
We offer specialty cruises, not just run-of-the-mill bay tours, so there’ll be food and drinks, and customers can make special requests for swim stops, fishing, photos, and points of interest.
It’s still fairly early, but I’m antsy. I find myself scrolling on my phone while I sit in the shade of the solar panel in the cockpit.
There’s a gym here in town that I need to check out.
I need to move but I can only get so many steps aboard a boat.
After changing, I do a few stretches on the dock before starting off with a slow jog along the wharf.
I pick up the pace and run past the marina shop, the pub and a few other small stores before deciding to turn left into a neighborhood.
There are a few huge homes right across the street from the sea wall with big sweeping lawns and amazing views of the bay.
As I jog further, the streets become narrower and most houses have tidy little lawns with well-kept gardens beginning to bloom.
I push my legs to keep going as I climb a hill.
I haven’t lived in a house in seven years, and at this point I’m not sure that I ever will.
It gives me freedom that I enjoy. I don’t have many belongings, just what I can stow on the boat.
Sure, there are a few boxes of memorabilia in my mom’s house, but there’s nothing tying me down anywhere.
It’s safer to be unattached. There’s less to lose.
A car approaches and I check my watch. I’ve done two miles, time to make a loop and get back to the marina.
I make another left and run past the back of the taqueria and the park before the harbor comes into my sight.
The main street aligns perfectly, offering a view of the rows upon rows of boats scattered across the deep blue water with more dotting the edge of the bay tied up to their moorings.
I like it here, I might even come back to Seascape next summer if things go well this year.
After a quick shower, I pull on my It’s Better in the Bahamas t-shirt and a pair of sport shorts to get over to the café. I have to see her again.
The Sweet Spot has a wide blue awning out front shielding the tables from the direct sunlight.
Walking past the iron tables on the patio and into the door, I see her standing behind the counter with her back to me.
There’s a young high school girl at the register and the guy from the website.
I stay back and read the chalkboard menu on the back wall.
A case stacked with an assortment of delicious looking baked goods and a polished wooden counter by the register separate the workspace from the customers.
Wide pine floors spread across the floor are a nice contrast to the white walls.
Wooden beams edge the high ceiling and several fans circulate the air.
Large windows overlook the marina and the docks.
A second door is on the other side of the building for customers to exit out of, keeping the traffic flow smooth.
The café is eclectic, yet very homey and comfortable.
Damn, everything on the menu looks good. The everything bagel smell, combined with the scent of fresh coffee has my stomach rumbling.
Charli still has her back to me as she makes an order. She’s got on a white Sweet Spot t-shirt and form fitting black leggings that show off her trim waist, long legs, and perfect ass.
The girl greets me as I approach the register.
“I’ll have a hot coffee, regular and a bagel, with eggs, cheese and bacon, plus a dozen muffins to go.”
At the sound of my voice, Charli turns and flashes me a kind smile. It's not the same wholehearted smile she'd given me yesterday. She's still gorgeous, but something in my gut tells me she's down this morning.
“That’ll be ready soon,” the cashier responds.
She sputters, “Oh hi,” and blinks a couple of times. Charli rests her hands on the counter and I slide over to stand across from her with a wide grin. Her brow furrows again. “You came in. Look, your breakfast is on the house today.”
The guy, Oliver, clears his throat loudly and the girl looks confused, whispering to him, “How do I put that in the register?”
He says, “Don’t worry about it, I’ll show you. You can make his coffee and get the muffins.” He adds more dramatically and loudly, “I’ll send the breakfast sandwich order on the computer.”
Charli ignores his jab and keeps looking at me intently with her bright green eyes.
“Hey, don’t worry about it. And I can buy my breakfast. I’ve heard great things about this place. I try to support local businesses as opposed to chains when I go somewhere new.” The corner of my mouth lifts under her gaze.
A line is starting to form at the register as more people trickle in the door and Oliver doesn’t hide his annoyance.
“Well, thanks for coming in today.” She looks down for a second, then back up at me. Damn, those eyes. “I like your shirt too. I’d love to go there someday.” Her smile is slow, with pink creeping into her cheeks.
The girl presents me with my box of muffins, a white to-go bag, and my paper coffee cup, sliding them across the counter. “Here you go,” she says proudly. The cup has a giant heart on it. I glance at Oliver and he smirks at me. I’m not sure what to make of those two.
“Thanks.” I stuff two twenties into the tip jar.
I focus back on Charli. I shuffle my feet to the side trying to give the next man in line a little space. “Well, thanks for this too. I hope you had fun at the taqueria.”
A shift goes across her face and she looks down at her hands, recovers, and smiles weakly. “Yeah, the food is great there, but I have to get back to work.” She tucks her hands into her apron pocket. “Come in anytime and I’ll see you around.”
She drops her head as I walk away. I clench my jaw. Why do I want to make her happy?
God damn, I wish she wasn’t with that other guy. Her delicate features and beautiful face draw me in until I can’t think about anything else. She might be older than me, but honestly, the younger girls are clingy and too needy. I prefer a woman who is independent and knows what she wants.
Hesitating by the door, I pretend to be looking up something on my phone.
I can’t help but eavesdrop on two women at a high top table by the window.
They resemble Charli in a way, but one has darker hair and the other is a redhead with freckles.
They’re chatting about their plans for the afternoon and night.
I have my back to them as I glance up to read the board again.
“We’re getting her out tonight, and maybe tipsy,” one says. “This break-up with Tyler has been a long time coming.”
“Maybe not too many drinks, she was hungover today,” the other woman adds. “She needs to cheer up and forget her problems.”
Ooof, that sounds rough, nothing like a tequila hangover. If they really broke up, then that must be why she was looking sad. I continue to listen to their conversation while scroll my phone.
“I know, tell me about it. It’s for the best.”
“Okay, first we’ll hit the pub, then I’m making a reservation for The Rooftop at 8:30.”
“Perfect, she loves that place. Then we’ll see where the night takes us.”
Well, it’s going to take me to The Rooftop tonight. I think my summer just got a little bit sweeter. This is going to be a game-changer. Something must’ve happened with them after the taqueria the other night. Maybe she needs a rebound for the summer.