I took a second to look her over. She was wearing a pretty blue tank that was tucked into the low-rise jean shorts. Again, the shorts were a little longer than the usual style. Her legs were tanned and shapely. The flat boat shoes she wore were appropriate for the occasion. Her hair was left loose, hanging over one exposed shoulder.
“Are you ready?” I asked.
She took a deep breath. “I have a confession.”
“What’s that?”
“I’ve never actually been out on the water. I’ve been on boats for parties and stuff, but I’ve never actually gone out to sea or anything.”
“Are you truly nervous?”
“A little,” she admitted.
I was happy she could admit her fear. The first two encounters with her made me feel a little less than. She seemed to have it all together. She had a very confident air about her. She wasn’t perfect. “It’s going to be okay. I’m good at what I do. I’ve been out on the boat a hundred times.”
“Okay, I trust you,” she said.
“Great. Would you like the grand tour now or when we are out on the water?”
I shrugged. “Now is good.”
I thought so as well. I wanted her to be comfortable. “All right, we’ll start up here.”
I showed her around the boat before taking her below. There was a small kitchen, living area, and a single bedroom. By the time we made our way back upstairs, she seemed a little more relaxed. I was curious as to why she wanted to go on the boat if she was afraid of the open water.
“Go ahead and have a seat,” I told her. “Get comfy.”
I started the engine and sat down. I navigated out of the marina and headed for the open water. Thankfully, the water wasn’t too clogged with other boats. Once we were out at a comfortable distance from the shore, I set the anchor and moved to sit down with her.
“This is nice,” she said.
“Are you feeling okay?” I asked her.
She smiled. “I am. I was a little apprehensive, but this isn’t bad at all. And you showed me the lifejackets, so I’m good. I can float.”
“Good to know. I’m going to grab a drink. Would you like a glass of wine? Water? Something else?”
“A glass of wine would be very nice.”
“I’ll be right back.”
I went downstairs and quickly opened one of the bottles of wine I had brought along for the trip. I poured two glasses, grabbed the cheese tray I’d picked up from the deli, and walked back upstairs. I handed her one of the glasses and put the tray on the small table.
“This is so relaxing,” she commented.
“It is, especially when there aren’t a lot of other boats out here. Sometimes, it can get really packed. Other boaters think it’s a great place to party out here. They blast their music, scream, and just kind of ruin the tranquility for the rest of us.”
She sipped her wine. “It sucks when a few bad apples ruin it for everyone.”
“I agree. And it is just stupid. Unsafe. Reckless.”
“Gee, tell me how you really feel,” she said with a laugh.
I crossed one leg over the other and relaxed into the comfortable couch. I did enjoy a nice evening out on the boat. I realized in that moment, it was even better with a little company. “Are you busy planning another party?”
I smiled. “Always. There is always another one.”
“Any more shipping parties?”
“No. If I do another with a ship theme, it is going to be all in and it will not be for a shipping company.”
“I hope you didn’t take what I said seriously. I’m the last person you want to take party advice from.”
She pushed up her sunglasses. I did the same. “It was true. You were being honest. Brutally honest.”
I cringed. “I tend to be a little tactless.”
“It’s okay,” she assured me. “It was deserved.”
“How come you have never been out on a boat?” I asked. “You said you lived in the area all your life. It’s kind of hard to avoid the water.”
She shrugged. “We didn’t have a boat when I was growing up and it really never appealed to me. I like the sand beneath my feet. I like solid footing.”
I slowly nodded. “I understand. I’m sorry if I pressured you into coming out.”
“No!” she said, sitting forward. “Absolutely not. I wanted to come out. I think I kind of pushed my way onto the boat.”