She smiled up at him. “I am now.”
“We put out sandwiches for the few guests who are still here. Some are leaving early morning.”
Dana, the assistant cook, walked into the kitchen and up to them. Robin scooted away from Jay. No one even knew they were a couple yet.
If Dana had noticed how close they’d been standing, she didn’t say anything. “Jay, why don’t you go? I’ll get things cleaned up after the sandwiches are gone. And I have another batch of sourdough bread rising that’s almost ready to bake. I’ll bake that up, then head out.”
“You sure?” Jay asked.
“Yep.”
“Let’s go.” Jay led Robin out of the kitchen. “So, where do you need my help?”
“I need to check with Lillian, but if there’s nothing pressing here, I need to finish getting shutters up on the bungalow.”
“I’m your man.”
“You are?” She grinned, still not used to the fact that after five years they’d finally gotten together as a couple. It was all still so new. “I’ll meet you in the lobby in about fifteen minutes?”
“I’ll be there.”
She went to find Lillian, a small smile on her face, still feeling the warmth of his hug.
Robin and Jay worked side by side, finishing putting up the shutters on the bungalow. If she never screwed on another shutter it would be too soon.
“I can finish them. Why don’t you go inside? You look beat.” Jay took the shutter from her hands.
“I can’t let you do that.”
“Of course you can. How about you go in and make us some iced tea? It won’t take me long to finish these last few windows.”
She was too tired to argue with him. She went inside and looked in the fridge. Luckily Charlotte had made a big pitcher of sweet tea. Perfect. She washed up at the sink, though she really craved a cool shower. She poured them tall glasses of tea, and as she sat down at the table—so thankful to finally be off her feet—Jay came inside.
“All finished.”
He washed his hands at the sink, then dropped onto a chair across from her.
Robin pushed his glass across the table. He took a large gulp of tea and slid the back of his hand across his mouth.
“Thirsty?” she teased.
“Yes. Very. It appears this storm prep is thirsty business.”
“Robin? You here?” Charlotte called out as she entered the bungalow.
“In the kitchen.”
Charlotte walked into the kitchen. “You got the shutters all up without me.”
“Jay helped.”
Charlotte turned to Jay. “Well, thanks. I think you’re my favorite person. After dragging the beach chairs and umbrellas in and helping Ben at the marina, I’m about done in. Now that I’m back here on the island, I remember how much I detest storm prep. I think I’m just going to head to bed. After a nice long shower. It’s so muggy out there.”
“It is.” Robin nodded. “Well, good night. See you in the morning.”
“Night.” Charlotte disappeared down the hallway.
Jay leaned back in his seat and eyed her. “So… we’re still going to have that official real first date, right?”
“Sure. But it will have to wait until after the storm.”
“Have you told Charlotte or Sara about… us?”
“Not yet. It’s just… so new. I was going to tell them while we were working on bringing all the beach things in at the inn, but… well, we were talking about the storm and Lillian’s wedding and…” She shrugged. “I didn’t know what to say. Hey guys, Jay kissed me. I think we’re a couple now?”
He tossed a lazy grin at her. “Something like that.”
“It’s not that I care if people know… it’s just…”
He reached across the table and covered her hand. “It’s okay. It’s a lot all at once, isn’t it? We can wait to tell people.”
“You keep pulling me into your arms like you did in the kitchen and everyone will figure it out.” She turned her hand over and laced her fingers through his.
“I’m pretty sure Dana has it figured out.” Jay nodded. “But I don’t care who knows it. I want everyone to know it. Robin Baker is my girl.”
“Your girl?” She tilted her head.
“I don’t know the proper thing to call it. My girlfriend? My significant other?”
“You can call me whatever you want.”
“How about if I call you the woman I love?” He stood up, came around the table, and pulled her to her feet. “And I’d like to kiss that woman.”
“That sounds like a practical idea.” She nodded soberly, hiding a smile.
“I’m nothing if not practical.” He leaned down and kissed her.
She slipped her arms around his waist and pulled him close, never wanting to let him go.
Chapter 3
Mason and Zoe grabbed sandwiches when they got back to the inn.
“I managed to snag a couple bottles of wine on my way back into town. Want to eat on the balcony of my room and have some wine?” Mason offered. “I got my same room again. I’m right next to yours.”
She quickly hid a delighted smile. He’d be close. Right next door to her. And honestly, with an almost empty inn, she’d like having him close. That was all it was—the fact the inn was almost empty. The thought rang a bit false even as she tried to convince herself.
“That sounds good. But would you mind if I grab a quick shower first?” She knew she must look like a bedraggled cat after all the exertion of putting up the shutters.
“No, that sounds like a good idea. Could use one myself. So, say twenty minutes? Oh, wait. Is that enough time?” He laughed. “I have no clue if that’s enough time for you. Women take more time to get ready, right?”
Zoe smiled. “That’s plenty of time for me.” She hurried into her room and took a cooling shower, washing away the heat and grime of the day.
