last time they'd spoken...the last time they'd kissed. And the smudges underneath had faded, too. The strong angle of his jaw was clean-shaven and his expression reflected a completely relaxed air she hadn't seen since their time in the Pacific. Just how had he come to be here this morning, serving her cake when surely he had business to sort?
As if reading her mind, he explained, "I bought a boat."
She'd bite. "Plan to do some cruising around the harbor?"
"Actually, I was planning to set sail for far deeper waters."
"Such as?"
"Ulani."
Taryn blinked. Her Hot Spots destination?
"Why there?"
"I have a yearning to see if those turtles hatched and broke out on their own. Must be hell sharing that kind of space with so many siblings."
She looked at him sideways. Really? "What happened to all your responsibilities? Has your dad's assailant been caught?"
"Not yet, but I have every faith in Brandon."
"You're not worried something might happen while you're gone?"
"I'll worry. But no more than my brothers and sister. Teagan says she wants to come out."
Taryn started. "You talked to your sister?"
He grinned. "It was really good to catch up."
"And what's happening with Tate?"
"He's safe and well. All set to fly over to stay with Dex. I'll stay and keep him company until he does. He hasn't stopped talking about Disneyland."
"But what about your work commitments? The way you spoke, your L.A. section's a hairbreadth away from closing its doors?"
"Yes, well," Cole tugged his ear, "I may have overreacted. I was wrong not to give Dex more credit. Wynn, too. Truth is they're doing their best in hard times."
Taryn couldn't believe she was hearing it. "What brought you to that conclusion?"
"A great big dose of 'appreciate what you have because it could be gone tomorrow.'" He searched her eyes. "Taryn, I need to apologize. You were right. I'd already made my mind up about your show and nothing could change it. But I should have taken a chance. I should have taken a chance on, and believed in, a lot of things."
When his gaze intensified, Taryn's stomach muscles kicked. Pressing a palm against the spot, she switched the focus back onto Cole and this left-field decision to sail off into the sunset.
"And your football contract?" she asked. That was supposed to be critical.
"I finally told Finlay he could jam it," he said. "We signed the next day. We're set there for the next five years."
Taryn was slowly shaking her head. Cole was walking away, just like that? It couldn't be true.
"But you have the everyday running of the place. So many things to oversee - "
"Roman's been given a permanent promotion. He has enough experience in the role. I'm sure he'll do a great job as Hunter Broadcasting's CEO."
Now Taryn was holding her brow. She was happy for Roman but she felt positively dizzy at the news. "I can't believe that you're...that you'll - "
"Leave on a long overdue vacation." Looking so tall and commanding, he cocked his head toward the berths. "Come and take a look at my baby."
For a moment, Taryn felt lost for words. Someone was playing a joke. "You've been brainwashed. Or you fell and hit your head."
"I haven't thought this clearly in years. Come have a look. You don't have to go inside. Just admire her from the jetty."
Her gaze dropping to that flower, Taryn felt her thoughts begin to spin. Cole seemed like a different person. But that wasn't quite right. The man who was smiling and looking so laid-back before her now was the same man she'd fallen for on that island. The person she'd been so drawn to. Was drawn to still.
She schooled her face and her feelings. "Thanks for the invitation, but I'll stay where I am."
Where it's safe.
She collected her spoon and tasted her berries, but Cole didn't take the hint. He didn't leave.
On her second mouthful, he said, "Taryn, I won't blame you if you don't come, but I'm asking you...please. Two minutes, that's all."
Taryn set down her spoon. She knew she ought to stick with no. He couldn't make her go.
Still, what harm could come from taking a quick look?
Besides she was curious.
But when he offered his hand as she moved to stand, she merely got to her feet and walked with him down a pier until they reached a berth that housed an impressive powered catamaran. Her lines were all glossy white, the trimmings gleaming chrome. She was long and the towered flybridge seemed to touch the clouds. Taryn could imagine