buildings, Zev told her about the tour Noah had given him and all the cool things that were going to be offered. Most of the information had been noted in the articles she’d read online, but hearing Zev talk about it made it even more exciting.
“Kind of makes you want to borrow a kid or two and bring them here when it’s open, huh?” she teased.
“Forget the kid. I’d like to do all of this stuff with you.” He pulled open the door to a building. As they made their way down a hall toward a set of double doors, Zev draped an arm around her and said, “Maybe it’s time to start a new one-day list.”
She wanted to whip out her phone and start the list right then. But even though she wanted to hope for more, there was no silencing that little reality-reminding voice in her head, which she’d lived by for so many years. “That’s awfully tempting, but we don’t even know what’s going to happen after this week.”
“Sure we do.” He winked and hugged her against his side as he said, “We’re going to color outside the lines and find a way to make it work.”
He sounded so sure of himself, she wanted to believe him. A second chance at forever with the man she couldn’t help but love was the only thing she truly wanted. But they still had obstacles to overcome, and she couldn’t just brush those under the carpet. She wanted to believe that she could count on him to stick around if they experienced another devastating blow, but how could she know for sure? What if she just needed him, not because of a dire circumstance, but just because? Would he be able to drop everything to be there for her? Could she leave her business at the drop of a hat to be there for him? She didn’t want to give up what she had there in Colorado, and she definitely didn’t want him to give up the life he loved. But at the same time, she wanted Zev.
Whoa. What am I doing? She was getting way ahead of herself for a woman who was supposed to be tempering her expectations.
One of the double doors swung open, and a tall, handsome man who looked a lot like Zev but with shorter hair barreled out and said, “Hey, Zev. I was just on my way out. I thought I was going to miss you.” Bandit barked and pushed his way between them, wanting all of the guy’s attention, which he was happy to give.
“I’m glad you didn’t. I wanted you to meet Carly.” Zev put a hand on her lower back and said, “Carly, this is my cousin Noah. He’s a marine biologist and one of the partners here.”
“Hi. It’s nice to meet you.” Carly extended her hand as Noah came in for a hug, and it turned into an awkward but funny embrace.
Noah clapped Zev on the shoulder and said, “This guy’s been talking about you so much, I feel like I already know you.”
“I hope that’s a good thing,” she said, realizing she had no idea what Zev had been doing there.
“It’s a very good thing, and I’m hoping it’s enough of a good thing to convince him to join us in this endeavor. He’s got some great ideas about shipwreck exhibits for kids, and he can’t dive in New England in the winter. Seems like a match made in heaven, if you ask me. Maybe you can talk some sense into him.”
“I told you I’d think about it,” Zev said.
Noah scoffed. “We all know what that means.”
“I don’t understand,” Carly said. “You want him to be part of the Real DEAL?”
“Yes. To create exhibits, give talks, workshops for kids,” Noah explained. “The possibilities are endless. Listen, I’ve got to run. I have a meeting with Jack and Hugh in half an hour.”
“Is Jack still piloting planes?” Zev asked.
“Yes. That man will never slow down.”
“Would you mind texting me his number? I want to talk with him about flying me back to Silver Island Sunday. The inn has a private landing strip. It’d be a hell of a lot easier than hitting the airport.”
“Sure, I’ll do that now.” Noah took out his phone, and as he thumbed out the text, he said, “I’ve got everything set up for you guys. It’s great to meet you, Carly. If you ever want company when this guy’s out at sea, you know where