10. Charli #2
Sam adjusts her glasses, drawing me from my thoughts. “That’s what’s bothering me. Some of my clients can be over the top. Plus the inter-office politics are too much.”
Andi stretches herself out on the deck and replies, “If you get a great office manager, that might ease some of the tension.”
“That’s actually a good idea,” Sam says in a contemplative tone.
“Or do you have anyone that you would consider partnering with?” I ask.
Sam shakes her head and plasters a fake smile across her face. I can tell she’s done talking about this topic. “No, not right now. I just don’t want to think about it and would rather enjoy my last few hours of this weekend.”
“Char, did you see The Rooftop’s Insta page?” Andi asks. She’s always starting shit.
“Yup.” I ignore her plea to get me going and focus on the shoreline instead.
The town of Westfield comes into view, a line of beach houses with big porches set back into the dunes.
A strip of land juts out into the water, a natural barrier for the channel that leads to a small harbor.
The breeze blows again, giving us a whiff of the marsh on the other side of the point.
She adjusts her sunglasses to peek at me. “They got some good shots of you and your new friend.”
Sam sits up straighter and turns to her. “I thought we weren’t going to rub it in, Andi?”
“Well, she needs to know,” Andi states.
I sigh. “Yeah, Oliver showed me. Whatever. It’s done now.” I press my hands to the deck, the surface warm to the touch. “We’re actually going to hang out tomorrow.”
“Wow!” Sam exclaims.
“We’re going paddle-boarding. He’s new around here and doesn’t really know anyone. I’m putting him directly in the friend zone,” I say.
Andi snorts a laugh and bends her knees to cross her legs. “Right.”
“I think he’s younger than me. Do you think that’s weird?” I ask.
Immediately, Andi sits up. “No, it’s fine, he’s an adult and you aren’t old enough to be his mom. We're at the age where we can have the dad or the son. As long as they're over eighteen, even ten years older or younger is totally good.”
The wind whips a few pieces of hair into my eyes. “I’m surprised you didn’t add any conquests to your Love Collection.”
Andi laughs loudly, her face lighting up. “Oh, I have some connections to follow up with. It was tough keeping up with you this weekend, babe.” She smacks my leg.
I decide to change the subject. “I’m going to make an appointment to color my hair auburn.”
Andi and Sam both become silent and face me. Sam lifts an eyebrow. “Changing your hair after a break up means you’re really making a serious change and taking the next step.”
Andi smiles proudly at me. “I think that you’ll look fantastic, with your green eyes and freckles. I wish you could have done it while we were here.”
“I’ve been considering it for a while, but after this weekend, I need to take control of my life and stop waiting for other people to make things happen,” I confess.
Sam leans back to relax and puts her hands behind her neck. “Good for you. No matter what, it’ll turn out great.”
“Are you cutting it too?” Andi asks.
“No, maybe just a trim. I think the color will be enough,” I add.
Thankfully Mimi calls us back to the cockpit to have our munchies. We chow on cheese, crackers, fruit and cold drinks as Pop tours us past North Point and the lighthouse.
After a run by Port City harbor, we return to Seascape.
We take down the sails and tie up at the mooring, putting the sail covers on.
We pack our bags, clean the boat, and rinse off the decks.
Pop records the fuel used in the logbook and checks the bilge pump to make sure it's working before he ferries us back to the marina in the dinghy.
Back at the house we prep for our end of the weekend dinner. Mimi sets to chopping her vegetables as Andi and Pop steam the lobsters, while Sam and I make a salad. We bring everything out to the porch to eat dinner and watch the sunset on Seascape.
The sky is a faded pink and there are a few wispy clouds being pushed around by the wind.
The town is still busy, people in the distance enjoying the night like we are.
I wish my cousins lived here full-time. My chest tightens a bit knowing they’ll be back at their homes tomorrow.
I have to cherish being together while we can.
Andi and Sam are rehashing their shopping trip and planning for their next visit on the 4th of July. I’m stuck in the middle of two conversations and am working my way through my lobster.
“So, Randall, any more news from town today? I was busy checking folks out and getting ready for tonight,” Mimi asks.
Pop dips his lobster claw in his butter. “You know, I did run into Bill Smythe’s nephew the other day. He’s here for the summer running Bill's boat, a Bavaria Cruiser 37.”
Mimi clasps her hands together. “Oh, how nice. When was the last time we saw Bill?”
Pop furrows his brow as he chews. “I think it was about seven years ago. Bill was going to be here for the season, but then his brother-in-law passed away suddenly and he went up to Maine to help his sister out with her kids.”
“How tragic,” Mimi sighs.
Pop sniffs and then wipes his mouth with his napkin. “Yes, very sad for the family. But the nephew looks all grown up now. He’s a good-looking kid. Said he’s going to sail south at the end of the season to meet with Bill in the USVI.”
Mimi sips her wine. “I hope he has someone to go with him down the waterway.”
I try not to cough or let my eyes bug out of my head, because that nephew has got to be Gage.
There’s no one else new here in sleepy little Seascape.
But, God, that sounds awful about him losing his dad so young.
My mom wasn’t around, but she’s still alive.
And if our families know each other, I for sure need to keep him in the friend zone. I don’t want to complicate things.
Driving home after my busy weekend, all I can think about is relaxing for a while. I walk through the dry grass on the lawn toward my place. I want to flop on my couch and wait for this day to be over.
That night, I lay in bed and click on Annalise’s travel blog; she’s in the British Virgin Islands now.
The Top Must-Sees while there: The Baths and Smuggler’s Cove in Virgin Gorda, Cane Garden Bay and Brewer’s Bay in Tortola, and Anegada Island.
The pictures look unreal, a complete paradise.
She recommends a private jeep tour or a sailing excursion to see other locales.
I wonder if Gage has been to any of these places. Probably. . .
Scanning to the bottom of the page, there's a link to a page for Solo Women Travelers. I click on it out of curiosity. I'm a woman, and I’m solo. I remember Sam’s advice, maybe I should pick a destination and travel there, even if I don’t go with a companion.
We offer safe travel experiences for women who want to explore the world. Small group excursions tailored to your needs. We use local guides and support local communities. Book with us today.
I explore some more tabs: travel to Costa Rica, Greece, Ireland, the Arctic Circle, Iceland and the list goes on.
I think I might do it, I could go after Labor Day, when the big summer rush is over.
Oliver and I will need to work something out about taking time off then.
We usually close for a couple of weeks in early November, but I don’t know if I can wait that long.
I need to do it now, while I have the confidence to go.
I spent too much time waiting for someone else to do something I wanted for myself.
It’s time to make things happen. I want some stamps in my passport.
I try to sleep, but I can’t. Scrolling my pictures from the weekend doesn’t work either. I toss my phone on the bed and stare at the ceiling.
Being on my own might be a better idea. It will give me the time and space to reflect on what makes me happy. I don’t have to fit into someone else's life. Eventually, I know I want to be with someone who can grow and change together as a couple.
Rolling to my side, I fluff my pillow. On the other hand, seeing Gage this weekend was energizing and boosted my confidence.
It’s something I haven’t felt in a long time.
Yes, he’s hot and would be a great distraction, but is that what I really need?
Sexually, it would probably be amazing. He’s leaving here in the fall, maybe a casual fling for the summer would be the thrill I need.
Closing my eyes I remember how our bodies fit together.
I’m tall and he made me feel petite when we were next to each other.
A warm feeling spreads throughout my body and I press my thighs together.
And we’re hanging out tomorrow, in our bathing suits, alone.
We were all over each other Saturday night, so the next likely step is going on a date.
My phone buzzes with a message. I roll over and scour the blankets looking for it.
Gage: How was your sail today?
A flutter of excitement thrums inside of me. Is it just from getting attention or do I want to get to know him better?
Me: Gorgeous. How was yours?
Gage: The people loved it. I got a huge tip.
Me: Excellent. We had a lobster dinner after and brownies for dessert.
Gage: So jealous. I made a ham and cheese sandwich.
Me: :( waaahhh.
Gage: Sandwiches are my specialty.
Me: I got you a rental paddle-board for Tuesday.
Gage: Thanks. I’m looking forward to it.
Me: Have a good night.
Gage: ;)
Yeah, I think I like the attention and I want to get to know him better.
Me: FYI- The Rooftop posted us on their Insta.
Gage: I guess we’re famous.
Me:
Gage: See you soon.