Sailing at Sunset - Cindi Madsen Page 0,23
And I’m sorry I snapped at you. I was upset because it felt like I’d already failed, day one.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Josh said. “I know it’s not easy getting people to see eye to eye, and I’m plenty capable of getting myself into awkward situations. I usually prefer to put my foot in my mouth.” His crooked smile left her slightly off balance.
“Is that so?”
He nodded, and relief flickered for the first time since the meeting. For hours she’d lain in bed, trying to come up with a strategy for making today go more successfully. Up here at the front of the sailboat, chatting with a scruffy sailor wearing an army green jacket that suited his rugged style, her inner turmoil calmed, as smooth as the azure water that stretched on for miles and miles.
The early-morning sunshine sparkled across the face of the silver watch on his wrist, turning it into a beacon. While a lot of people had given them up in favor of telling the time on their phones, there was something about a guy with a sleek watch. Or maybe that was her penchant for being on time talking.
And I’m staring. In order to avoid being caught, she turned to the two platitudes written across the notes section in her planner. Since she apparently didn’t understand men or the “caveman drive,” she figured she’d ask a dude who had plenty of brute force skills.
“Which quote do you find more inspiring and motivating?” Danae lifted her book and read, “‘Great things in business are never done by one person. They’re done by a team of people.’ Or ‘Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.’ It’s Michael Jordan, so—”
“You figured it’d speak to the person who accused you of not understanding the male psyche in the meeting last night?”
“Well, yeah.” Mark’s feedback had jabbed at her, and she’d hoped choosing inspirational quotes from men would help prove she could appeal to them as well as women. “Do you think it’ll work?”
What was he doing? Hadn’t he decided he’d make limited appearances, as required, keep his head down, and just steer the ship?
Only he’d seen Danae standing there, worrying her lower lip with her teeth, and he’d been completely drawn in, even as warning bells rang through his head. “You say Michael Jordan, and I’m sold. I’m also the older demographic, so…” He shrugged.
Danae clicked her tongue. “You are not. Because that’d mean I’m getting close to that demo and I refuse to accept that. Mid-thirties is the new hip age, don’t you know?”
Josh ran his fingers through his hair. Scattered strands of gray had begun popping up here and there, like hints of his dad shining through when he looked in the mirror. “Oh, great. Now I’m gonna need a new hip?”
Her giggle danced across the breeze and smacked him in the chest. She had a nice laugh. While her business exterior could be a bit prickly, underneath it were hints of a kind person who obviously hadn’t laughed in far too long.
Naturally, Josh would recommend less work and more sea—knot-tying and all—but he doubted Danae would agree. Or appreciate the suggestion. Still, maybe he could sneak in a few fun activities without her realizing it.
Until she was already enjoying herself, and then he’d have sold her on his methods.
“What if I’ve left my thirties behind already?” Josh asked. “What does that mean?”
Danae turned to fully face him. “That depends. Have you ever yelled at kids to get off your lawn?”
A laugh burst free. “Not since my lawn turned into water. But I have been known to shake my fist at noisy waterskiers.”
Danae’s shoulders shook as she laughed, and he wasn’t sure if he’d moved closer or she had. Light freckles dotted the bridge of her nose. She’d worn her hair in loose waves today, and the silky strands framed her face and added a no doubt false sense of accessibility. “Then I’m afraid the word hip might not apply to you.”
Josh let out an over-the-top gasp, as if it were the worst news he’d ever heard, before he went ahead and laughed with her. He suspected many a man had been lured in by Danae’s beauty, only to discover the control freak resting under the surface. Then again, the jokes she’d made confirmed there was a lot more to her, and he found himself wanting to dig deeper.
Not a good idea. This next week could get complicated and uncomfortable fast if he attempted to cross