He snagged three plates from the overhead cabinet. “Relax, she’s here to talk about business.”
“Right.” Dustin backed out of the kitchen. “No need to save me any. I’m going to run out and snag Wind. She says she’s hungry and alone.”
“No, you’re not going to bolt with a lie.” Trevor held out the plate with eggs to Dustin.
“Sounds like something Wind would say,” Julie slid two pieces of bread into the toaster before she realized they probably thought that she was trying to be alone with Trevor. She wanted to say something to correct them, but sometimes it was better to just shut her mouth or she’d make the situation worse. Of course it was already worse, because she realized she did want to be alone with Trevor.
“Right.” Dustin opened the glass sliding door. “Be back later.”
“Tell her to check and make sure Houdini’s at Mannie’s place. He should be, but I noticed a break in the wire and fixed it on my way here, which made me worry.”
Dustin saluted. “Right, the rodent. Got it.”
The toast popped up. “I wouldn’t say that in front of Houdini if I were you. He might forgive you once, but if you make him mad enough, you’ll be sorry.”
“I think I can handle a little thing like Houdini. I’m not afraid of him. I can be just as stubborn.”
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Julie slid the bread onto the plates.
Trevor leaned in. “Let Houdini teach him a lesson. Just make sure I’m there to see it.”
“I heard that.” Dustin closed the glass sliding door.
They were together.
Alone.
He must’ve seen her expression and decided to retreat to the small table. “No need to pull out the pepper spray. Friends, remember?”
She laughed. “I wasn’t the one who did that.”
“I know, but you looked like you were about to run before you had your food. We don’t want to waste those yolks, do we?”
“No, I’m eating.” She dug in and enjoyed Trevor’s quiet company. They ate mostly in silence with an occasional glance at each other. It had been a long time since she’d sat down for a meal with a man. If she were being honest with herself, it was nice. Too nice.
She focused on her toast, trying not to look uncomfortable. They were friends. That’s what they agreed to, so this was a business meeting. A way to find out what he was up to that could mess with the town. That was all. Nothing more.
Then why did her foot keep tapping along with her heart each time she caught sight of his green eyes and sexy hair? Why did she have a jittery feeling in her belly? And most of all, why didn’t she feel guilty for finding another man attractive? A man who wasn’t her husband.
Chapter Nine
Trevor enjoyed the easy banter with Julie. For some reason, the minute he’d heard she had lost her husband instead of divorcing, it made him see her in a different light. It shouldn’t have mattered, but it did. Perhaps because their marriage hadn’t failed and she hadn’t chosen to leave her husband for another man. She’d been a devoted wife for years. Many years, based on having a grown daughter.
Julie pushed her plate away from her and dabbed her mouth with her napkin. “So, you say you want to bring more business into Summer Island.”
“It’s not only a want, it’s a need.” He pushed his own plate away from him. “More than anything, I need this business to work.”
“Why?” she asked directly, but there wasn’t an easy answer.
He thought about it for a moment. “Every business needs customers.”
“That wasn’t what I asked.” Julie smiled and folded her hands. “We’re friends, right?”
“Right.”
“Why this business? Why here?” Julie asked.
He hesitated. “Honestly?”
She nodded.
“Dustin says it was my midlife/divorce crisis.”
“No, why do you think you chose this place? What do you see as success here at this chartering business? Do you want to have a bunch of sailors come through to charter your boat with little sailing experience? Do you want to have spring breakers vomiting all over the decks? Or do you want families to go out and enjoy adventures on the ocean and sandbars?”
He thought about it for a minute and then sat forward, resting his elbows on the table. “When you put it that way, I would say I’d prefer families to have adventures.”
Julie smacked her hand on the table. “If that’s your mission, then I can help you make that happen. There are regulars who come into town. I’ll reach out to them with your website or phone number they can book through. Also, we can attend the next town meeting and pass out flyers or cards with your website link on them.”
“You would do all that with me?” he asked, shocked at her offer. “I thought you didn’t want this business here.” He thought for a minute and dared to reach a little further. “Or me.”
She studied her knuckles for a moment and didn’t look up when she spoke again. “You’re not the problem. As for the business, I’m happy to help, as long as you don’t turn Summer Island into some party destination.” Her hand shot out, and she looked up with the most stunning silver-blue eyes. “Deal?”
He took her hand, welcoming the way her tiny fingers felt around his large hand. She was soft, dainty, beautiful, but strong and independent. He’d never met a woman with natural beauty, self-confidence, and passion like Julie before. “Deal.”
A clap of thunder in the distance warned of a coming storm. She withdrew from his touch. “Tomorrow, we’ll go around town and I’ll introduce you to everyone. Bring some flyers or cards. If you need a printer, there is one on the corner of Sunset and Main. Tell Barb that Julie sent you, and she’ll give you a discount.”
He welcomed having an excuse to spend more time
