and coffee from her desk. “Long time.”
“Very long time.” Discerning eyes look me over. “Wow. You look just like your mother did in high school.”
I think of the photograph on Adrian’s phone and wince.
Lucky’s mom seems confused. A tense silence hangs between us.
“I came by the Nook to see you … ,” she says.
“I’m sorry,” I blurt, but I’m not sure what I’m apologizing for. Oh God. This was a terrible mistake. I forgot how intense Kat Karras can be. Sharp, dark eyes … sharp cheekbones. “I wanted to see you. I’m sorry I missed you. I mean … I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you came by the shop—not that I missed you.” I let out a nervous laugh, and it sounds awkward and hollow. Maybe because it’s a lie. I lick dry lips and try again, this time with something closer to the truth. “Actually … I have missed you, and I’m sorry I haven’t come by to see you sooner.”
Her brows’ rigid angles ease. “I’ve missed you too. And it’s okay. Everyone’s busy.”
“It’s been weird … being back. Everyone talks. I wasn’t expecting that. I thought it would be the same. Things change, though, don’t they?”
“Things change,” she agrees in a soft voice.
Behind Lucky’s mom, framed photographs of boats crowd the walls like a Hollywood restaurant sporting signed headshots of stars. Big boats. Small boats. Black-and-white photos from the mid-twentieth century. Lucky’s grandparents. The old boat-repair businesses across town and the one down the block. They didn’t used to repair super yachts.
“There a reason you’re here, koukla?” she asks, drawing my attention back to her face. I forgot how pretty she was. And intimidating. More intimidating than Lucky, really. Maybe this was a terrible idea.…
Is it too late to just leave?
“Uh, yes,” I say, straightening my shoulders. “So, um, I want to charter a boat so I can take photographs of the harbor?”
She looks taken aback. Confused. “We aren’t a charter company. We repair and build boats.”
“But you do own boats,” I say, gesturing toward the kajillion framed photos on the wall.
“Not luxury yachts, but yes.”
“Well, things have changed, but not that much—I’m not used to luxury, so it’s okay by me,” I say, forcing a soft laugh as I tug at the neckline of my shirt. “It’s just, um, this is definitely different than the old place down the block, right? And I noticed on Mr. Karras’s truck outside, it says, ‘Ask us. No job too small.’ ”
She chuckles. “It does say that, sure. But—”
“This is a really small job,” I assure her. “I just want to charter a ride around the harbor for one hour to take pictures. I know you guys are busy, but I was wondering if Lucky could take me? Maybe?”
“Oh?”
“Preferably the hour before twilight, because that’s when I can get the ideal light. For photography.” I plunk down my cash on the counter and get the rest of my practiced spiel out before I lose my nerve. “I checked the rates with the other charter companies in town, and this should be enough. I think?”
She stares at the money.
Heavily lashed eyes flick up to meet my gaze. One dark brow lifts.
I take a deep breath and keep going. “After the police station, my mom told me to stay out of your business, because she was worried about town gossip. She actually doesn’t know I’m here.…”
The look on her face is sharp but unreadable. Whew. This woman is tough.
Somewhere in the back of my mind, I think about Evie teasing me, and Mom calling us Bonnie and Clyde. Now I’m worried Lucky’s mom might think I’m here to ask him out on a date. “Um, in case it matters, I want to assure you that Lucky and I are still just old friends, if you could even call it that. Old acquaintances? He’s been nothing but nice to me—a perfect gentleman, really.”
She makes a surprised noise in the back of her throat. I hope I didn’t make things worse. I keep going before I either run out of adrenaline or pass out.
“Anyway, I’m working on my portfolio, like, for internships or maybe college one day, or whatever—”
“Your pictures,” she says, pointing a manicured nail at me, as if things are making sense to her now. “All the photographs of signs.”
I nod several times. “That’s right.”
“And you want Lucky to take you around the harbor?”
“Yes!” I say, relived. Maybe she’s finally understanding, and this request doesn’t sound so strange after all. “Lots of signs