Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 91286 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91286 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
A smug smile fills Cody’s face. He thinks he’s won her over. “So, first day, huh? I guess you haven’t heard about Sloane yet.”
“What do you mean?” she asks innocently.
“I mean, you wouldn’t have taken this job if you knew what it’s like to work for her. She’s fucking certifiable. I would know, I almost married her.”
My stomach clenches as I struggle to tamp down my temper. All the while, the horde of sorority sisters listens and watches intently. He’s trying to embarrass me in front of my customers.
“If you want, I can put in a good word for you over at Tiki Wiki. I know the owners. That’s them right over there.” He points to a cluster of knockoff tiki floats about fifty feet away. “They pay better, too.”
“No, they don’t,” I snap before I can stop myself.
“Wait a minute. Cody. Right! You’re the guy with the micro penis!” Bailey says it loudly.
Gasps and giggles sound all around us.
Cody’s smile falls off.
“Hey, come on, ladies,” Jeremy scolds, getting in on the childish game. “It’s not his fault he has a nubbin. He was born that way.”
“There’s nothing wrong with my dick!” Cody yells, his cheeks turning red at the unwanted attention, as gazes inadvertently drift downward over his shorts.
There isn’t, I can attest to that, and I told him regularly, when he fished for validation. I also caught him holding a tape measure to it once, so I know it’s a sensitive subject for him.
“Of course not.” Bailey adjusts her tone to sound like a mother placating an upset toddler. “It’s just as good as all the other dicks.”
The tiki cruise sorority sisters must have clued in to the bad blood between us by now because they suddenly break out in a chorus of Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way,” a few at first until the others join in. Their voices carry over the sandbar, attracting spectators.
“Fuck you all.” Cody steers his boat away from us.
“Where are you going?” Bailey hollers after him, a devilish gleam in her eye. “Thanks for the ice cream!”
He revs his engine in response and cuts out, heading back toward shore.
My hands are pressed against my mouth. “I can’t believe you just did that.”
“You kidding? I’ve spent a lot of time around men. I know his type, and he deserved it.”
“He did.” Normally I would never condone mocking a guy like that, but it’s Cody. There is no level low enough to sink to with him.
More loudly, she calls out, “We ladies stick together against cheating ball sacs, am I right?”
The sorority girls let out a cheer before returning to their conversations.
I throw an arm around Bailey’s shoulder. “How would you like a promotion?”
“Hey! What the hell! All I had to do was make fun of Cody’s dick?” Jeremy exclaims, feigning offense.
“You’re both getting a promotion. You’re now officially tiki boat admirals.” I mock salute.
“Finally!” Jeremy holds his hand up for a high five, which Bailey meets with a slap. “What’s our bonus?”
“Free scones?”
“Yes!” he hollers in triumph, earning my laugh.
But his amusement fades in the next beat as he spots something behind us. “Hey, did you book Tiki Three for today?”
“What? No. What are you talking about?” I spin around to see what he’s talking about.
That’s definitely Tiki Three approaching us. The Sea Witch logo is front and center. Frank’s behind the wheel. What’s he doing? Why is he coming all the way out here? He could have just texted me.
And is that …
My pulse speeds up, as it does every time I spot Ronan. I didn’t think I’d see him again until tonight.
But why is Frank bringing Ronan here?
Unless … there’s only one reason I can think of that they wouldn’t text me, and that’s to deliver bad news.
“What’s that about?” Jeremy’s worried frown says he’s thinking the same thing.
I edge toward the other side, watching them approach, my heartbeat now a slow, repetitive thump in my ear.
They’re twenty feet away when Ronan leaves his seat and comes around to stand on the edge, his eyes hidden behind his sunglasses.
“Grab the line!” Frank calls out.
Jeremy makes to move for it, but Bailey’s faster, swinging around to the far end to catch the rope Ronan tosses her.
In seconds, Frank has the engine cut and is hopping out to link the tiki to ours, Tiki One rocking under his weight.
“What’s going on?” My gaze flips from Ronan to Frank and back to Ronan.
“I’m taking over. You’re going back with him.” Frank jerks his head toward Ronan.
“Is it Gigi?” My voice cracks on her name.
“What? No. Gigi’s fine. Just got a text from her.”
A wave of relief bowls over me. I smack him in the arm. “Don’t do that to me!” Today is already soul-crushing. But losing Gigi too? That, I couldn’t bear.
Realization dances across his gruff expression. “Oh, yeah, sorry, didn’t think. But you two need to talk.”