that a lot. He looked just like a younger version of the actor, and women ate it up.
“C’mon. You know I look just like him, only better.” Ford lifted his shirt and flexed his abs.
Randi smacked his stomach. “How many times do I have to tell you that nobody wants to see your abs?”
“Twelve, fifteen…hundred,” Ford said without the accent, dodging another swat.
Randi, who was petite with friendly eyes despite her no-bullshit swats, flashed a warm smile and said, “That’s big-headed Ford, and I’m Randi. It’s nice to finally meet the elusive Goonie girl.”
“Goonie girl?” Carly looked curiously at Zev.
“Don’t look at me. I never called you that,” Zev said.
“He never called you anything,” Randi clarified. “When we asked about the girl in the pictures, he said she was his first and only love, his lost treasure. But if we pried for more, he shut us down.”
Carly looked adoringly at Zev and said, “I think we were both lost treasures for a while.”
He couldn’t imagine loving her more than he did right then.
“To be honest,” Ford said, “I figured you dumped his ass and broke his heart, and that was why he refused to talk about you. But that map you two made looked like it came right out of The Goonies. That thing is awesome.”
“Hence Goonie girl,” Randi explained. “Personally, I like Carly better. Congrats on extracting the gold coins. Zev sent us pictures. That kind of makes you a real-life Goonie.”
“That makes us all Goonies,” Carly said.
“I put the coins in the safe in my cabin. We’ll have to take them to the vault after we dive, but I knew you and Ford would want to get your hands on them,” Zev said. “I took loads of pictures of the extraction process and captured the very moment Carls pulled out the first coin. Hers were the first hands to hold it.”
“Holy shit.” Ford smacked his own forehead and said, “She’s ‘This one’s for you, Carls!’”
“Yes, she is.” Zev pulled her closer, drinking in the adoring look in Carly’s eyes, and said, “My first adventure partner, my first love, and my most valuable treasure. She’s pretty much everything, so don’t be a dick, Ford. Got it?”
Ford held up his hands. “Never, man.”
“I’ll keep him in line.” Randi waggled her finger at Ford.
Ford leaned on her shoulder and said, “You couldn’t keep a fly in line with a pest strip.”
“Watch it, buddy,” Randi said, stepping out of his reach. “I might have to line your wet suit with chum.”
“On that note, we’re going to change so we can get out on the water.” Zev draped an arm over Carly’s shoulder and headed for the cabin.
“Don’t get lost down there, you two lovebirds. Your coffee will get cold,” Ford said as he put an arm around Randi.
Randi smacked his arm.
Carly giggled, and looking over her shoulder, she said, “Good thing I like my coffee iced.”
Chapter Nineteen
“RANDI, CAN YOU grab the spear gun?” Zev asked. They were anchored at the site where Zev had found the concretions, checking equipment and getting ready for their dive.
“You’ve got it, boss.” Randi headed into the equipment room.
Carly gazed at the water, thinking about how much her life had changed. Before Tory had been killed and she and Zev had broken up, she’d spent time indoors for obligations only, like school and dinners. Now, other than her weekly horseback rides, her life had become bound by walls and guided by indoor tasks. She’d forgotten the freeing feeling of spending time in the fresh air. The way it magnified every sensation. Zev’s touches were more potent, his every look less restrained, and she felt sexier and more invigorated with the sun warming her skin and her hair whipping in the salty sea air.
She zipped her wet suit and said, “I still can’t believe we’re here, where Garrick ‘One-Leg’ Clegg’s ship went down.” She could hardly contain her excitement. “Did you guys know the Pride was used as a passenger, cargo, and slave ship before it was overtaken by Clegg? They say it was carrying more than two tons of silver, gold, and jewelry. Then there are the cannons and other weapons, tools, and the people…” She turned around and found all three of them looking at her with amused expressions. She wrinkled her nose and said, “Of course you know all that. Sorry for geeking out.”
“You’re sexy when you geek out,” Zev said with a wink, and went back to checking the equipment with Ford.