Chapter Nine #2
“That doesn’t mean you encourage something unsafe.”
“Oh, right,” she said, heat rising. “Because you know all about surfing after standing on sand exactly once.”
“That’s not the point.”
“Dad?” Kelsey’s voice cracked the moment. “I’m going to rinse off. Don’t yell at Rowan, okay?”
He dragged in a breath, still staring at Rowan. “Yeah. Sure. Go ahead.”
They glared at one another after Kelsey sprinted off. Rowan jumped right back into the conversation. “You were saying? That it doesn’t matter you know nothing about surfing?”
“Correct.” He flung the word out like it won the argument.
“No, the point is you underestimate her.” Rowan stepped closer. “She’s working her ass off. She’s gaining confidence. But sure—go ahead and squash that because it doesn’t fit your precious plan. Drag her into tennis, or some other sport you approve of, whether or not she likes it.”
His eyes darkened. “I’m trying to keep her safe.”
Rowan’s laugh was quiet, sharp. “No. You’re trying to control her.”
“And you’re trying to turn my daughter into a mini version of you—reckless, impulsive, driven by feelings instead of logic. Or maybe you want to prove something to yourself. Kelsey is your first official student since the accident, right?”
Her breath caught, fury and something dangerously like hurt sparking in her chest. “Like I said before. You don’t know a thing about me.”
“Ditto. Stop pretending you know a thing about me,” he shot back.
They stared at each other, too close, too hot, too much. For a heartbeat, her pulse stuttered with the memory of his gaze on her mouth four days ago. And from the way he looked at her now—like he was fighting himself—he remembered it, too.
Rowan turned to gather the boards. She needed to get away from him before she did something stupid again.
But Everett stepped beside her instead, picking up a board with unnecessary force. “You shouldn’t tell her she’s ready for things she’s not.”
Rowan gripped the board between them like a barrier. “And you shouldn’t disappear for four days, then act like you know what she’s capable of.”
“I’m her father.”
“And I’m the one actually watching her grow out there.”
His jaw flexed. “Maybe I should take over her lessons. Find someone more . . . restrained.”
The words hit. Harder than she expected.
She pasted on a cool smile, even though something inside her pinched. “Do that, Suit. Find someone safer. More controllable. Who doesn’t challenge her or you.”
He stared at her too long. Like he was trying to figure out how she kept slipping through the neat little compartments he put people in. “You think you challenge me? I call it outright hostility and annoyance and . . .” He trailed off. Shook his head.
“And?”
“Nothing.” His brows snapped into a dark frown. “Forget it.”
Something flickered in his expression—annoyance, attraction, denial—and she knew she needed to get away now, before she drowned in the pull of it.
Rowan turned toward the shop. “Lesson’s over. I’ll see Kels tomorrow.”
Everett didn’t answer right away. But she felt the heat of his stare on her spine all the way into the shop.
This time, Kelsey was already waiting for them and petting Bagel. Tino emerged from his workroom and leaned his elbows on the counter, taking in the three of them. Relief cut through her until she caught the sparkle in his eyes.
Ah, crap.
“You finish traumatizing the tourists yet, girl? Or just getting started?”
Tino grinned as he assessed the scene. She didn’t like the look on his face.
It reminded her of the previous times Tino had tried to “help.” The good news was that since the loss of her father and her injury, he’d backed way off, allowing her plenty of space.
Rowan hoped he’d continue to keep his nose out of her business.
“Just helping Kelsey out with a few moves,” she said easily. His grunt told her he knew the truth. She was giving real lessons, on a daily basis, and he’d been tracking her.
Everett joined them in the shop. Tino nodded in welcome, then strolled over to Kelsey. “How’s the student?”
“Better this time,” Kelsey said brightly.
“Caught the tail end. Your trust is growing. Follow it and you’ll keep improving.”
Kelsey gave a serious nod. “That’s what Rowan told me.”
“Trust in what?” Everett asked.
Rowan held back, as did Tino. Kelsey faced her father with a confidence she hadn’t displayed when they first met. Pride hit, surprising Rowan. It shouldn’t have mattered, but somehow it did. That her lessons had helped.
“Myself, Dad.”
He blinked, obviously taken aback. Rowan doubted he could handle the woo-woo. He was too trapped in certainties and profit margins. Sometimes, she wished she could be the same. She bet it hurt less.
Tino smoothly cut in, obviously sensing tension. “We met at the barbecue. She charging you double for lessons? You’re rich, right?”
Kelsey giggled. Everett’s spine straightened. “Excuse me?”
She shot Tino a warning look. Here we go. “Don’t start.”
Tino’s grin widened. “Just teasing. I’m sure it’s a fair trade.”
“Is this your boss?” Everett asked, glancing between them.
Rowan almost closed her eyes at the booming laugh Tino gave, practically bent over in humor. “Am I your boss, girl?”
“Yes, he is,” Rowan answered. She had to stop this oncoming wrecking ball. “And I better get back to work. We all should.”
Tino seemed to take pity on her and unfolded to full height.
“Rowan helps me with the shop and the boards. She’s an integral part of our community and is one of the best surfers on the circuit.
But at heart? She’s a free spirit. The only boss she listens to is the ocean.
” The teasing left his face, replaced by a serious expression. “At least, she used to.”
Emotion lodged in her throat. It felt like yesterday Tino had found her wandering, lost in grief, and slowly brought her back.
Lea pushed too hard. Tino gave her the space and breadth by keeping her mind and hands busy, allowing her body to heal first. Rowan knew he expected more from her now after a year, but she still wasn’t ready.
Maybe she never would be.
Kelsey slung her towel over her shoulder, a welcome interruption. “Dad, can Rowan join us for dinner tonight? You promised we’d go to Rigo, remember? Since we’re not paying for the lessons, it’s only right to thank her.”
Rowan stiffened. “Oh, I think I’m too busy—”
“You said you were sofa surfing tonight,” Kelsey said. “Remember I asked? We won’t stay out late. Dad always has to get up too early.”
Rowan forced a smile. “Tino asked me to work late. I forgot to tell you.”
“I can handle it,” Tino said. “Dinner together is a great idea. You need a night off, and your boss here could use a sit-down meal away from the conference room.”
“I’m not her boss,” Everett said tightly.
“Even better,” Tino said cheerfully. “No human resource restrictions.”
Rowan shot Tino a glare. Oh, she was going to kill him later. She opened her mouth to make another excuse, then saw Kelsey’s face.
The girl was staring at her with eagerness, waiting for a yes. If she said no, she’d get embarrassed and think Rowan didn’t want to spend time with her. She’d never think it was because her father was a prickly annoyance worse than a porcupine trying to snuggle.
Dammit. She was screwed. “Okay. Sounds like fun.”
She avoided Everett’s gaze and tried to focus on Kelsey’s beaming expression. “Yay, I’m so excited! I’m sure you know all the cool restaurants, but Rigo has been my fave so far. They have the best pizza!”
“Great choice. Unless your dad can’t because of work?”
It was a last-ditch effort, even if it would make Everett the bad guy. She waited, half hoping he would just say no to avoid her. “I guess we’re going to dinner.”
Kelsey whooped. Tino winked and turned to Kelsey. “Make sure she shows up. She’s allergic to having fun.”
Kelsey grinned. “Seven o’clock, right, Dad? Want us to pick you up?”
“No! Um, I’ll meet you there. It’s easier.”
Everett gave a cough. “Fine. See you then.”
She said goodbye to Kelsey and watched them walk out. Grinding her teeth, Rowan spun on her heel and jabbed her finger in the air. “You did that on purpose! Tino, what are you doing? I despise that man. He’s stuck-up, boring, and pompous. Now I have to share a meal with him?”
Tino stroked his cheek, obviously delighted at her temper. It was rare he got her riled. “Girl, it’s not going to kill you to go out and have a nice meal. Kelsey adores you and needs some female interaction. If you don’t like him, order the filet and lobster.”
“It won’t even make a dent in his wallet,” she muttered, still pissed. “Ugh, I hate this.”
“Then come with me. Javier’s board needs sanding and I need the help. By the time it’s done, you’ll be empty for dinner.”
Rowan blew out a breath. Over the past year, Tino had guided and trained her on creating custom boards from the ground up.
It had become second nature for her to fit the right board to the right surfer.
She liked the slow layering process of building something special.
Her fingers automatically came up to her neck to fiddle with her simple wooden necklace, rubbing the smooth surface. Immediately, her nerves calmed.
“Fine. But I cannot wait to tell Keisha that you’re hot for her.”
Tino shot her a look. “You wouldn’t.”
Her cackle made him pause. It would make his current three girlfriends lose their shit. “Maybe I will, maybe I won’t,” she sang, heading to the workroom.
Smiling at her revenge, she shoved the thought of tonight out of her mind.