Kat took a deep breath and made herself get out of the Lexus at the marina. There still hadn’t been any word on her Jeep, which made her think that Sawyer was just humoring her and had no intention of taking back the Lexus. Of course, after the way their lunch had ended the other day, she might step outside some morning and find the Lexus had been towed off to the Steele compound out of pure spite.
Still, for now she had it, and it was allowing her to get around town, which she needed to do. If Finn’s attorneys forced some kind of cash settlement on her, the first thing she’d do was pay Sawyer back for the car. She didn’t want to feel like she owed him anything, especially after the ugly things he’d said.
She’d just been trying to get a little space to breathe and to think. It was necessary, especially after that moment they’d shared in the doctor’s office. Sitting there, holding his hand and looking at the baby together had felt special. It felt right in a way that it shouldn’t have. She didn’t need those kinds of thoughts and feelings clouding the situation with Finn. Sawyer had reacted with anger, only proving that she was correct. They’d gotten too close and it could jeopardize everything.
Kat hadn’t seen or heard from Sawyer since she’d left the restaurant and that was okay with her. She’d even planned on sitting out the holiday invitation in favor of protesting with her fellow artists, but Jade had called her and insisted she come. Morgan and her husband, River, were back from their honeymoon and wanted to meet her. No excuse seemed to stick with Jade, so now Kat was about to spend several hours on a small boat with Sawyer and his family in the middle of the harbor. Space was not an option.
She eyed the boats docked at the marina and her gaze caught the name of the biggest one: License to Drill. No doubt that belonged to the tool magnate Steele family. It looked like it had to be nearly two hundred feet in length, towering over the other boats, with four decks reaching to the sky. Maybe she would be able to avoid Sawyer after all.
As she headed that way, she noticed two women standing on the lowest deck. They were like day and night, blond and brunette. As she got closer, she recognized the blonde as Jade. That meant there would be at least one smiling face there to welcome her today and counteract Sawyer’s grumpy countenance.
“Kat! You made it!” Jade was looking her direction and waving.
She waved back and walked up the pier to the stairs, where she could come aboard. The two women were there to meet her. “Kat, this is Morgan. She’s finally back from her honeymoon.”
“Hey, my first honeymoon was such a mess, we decided this one was going to be extra special. I highly recommend Fiji.” The dark-haired woman with the golden tan smiled and stuck out her hand. “I’m Morgan Atkinson. I’m still getting used to saying that.”
“I’m Kat,” she responded, shaking her hand. “I’m sorry if I caused a problem at your wedding.”
Morgan waved away her concerns. “It’s not a problem. I’m only sad I missed you slapping the daylights out of Sawyer. I know Finn is the one who deserved it, but Sawyer can be a smug little jerk when he wants to be, too.”
“Come on,” Jade said. “Let’s get you settled in and introduced to everyone. I think you’re the last to arrive, so we should be departing soon. Morgan’s husband, River, is here, and my fiancé, Harley, is around somewhere. Probably hiding from my parents. And Grandma is here, of course. She’s excited to get to spend more time with you. We’re hoping this time she shares. No one was able to get a word in with you or her at the party Saturday.”
“What about Sawyer?” Kat asked, as they climbed a set of stairs to a higher deck.
“He’s here. He was chatting up River about construction last I saw them.”
That didn’t surprise Kat. He probably had drywall and electrical conduits on his brain, with less than two weeks to closing the District.
The women led her through the luxurious interior of the yacht to the elevator. Looking around, Kat had a hard time believing she wasn’t in a hotel. There was art on the walls, marble on the floors and polished wood everywhere. Everything was shiny and expensive, with inlaid gold, onyx and mother of pearl, making her feel incredibly out of place and wondering if she still had sawdust in her hair from working at the studio that morning.
They stepped out of the elevator onto one of the higher decks, where the rest of the family was gathered under shade sails around a hot tub and lounging area. Everyone cheered as she made her entrance, and the girls introduced her to the people she hadn’t met yet. They mingled and nibbled on canapés while sipping cocktails and enjoying the sea breeze. Kat chose her seltzer and a seat far from Sawyer where she could protect her fair skin from the sun.
The rest of the afternoon was a blur. Once they set sail, the family moved inside, to where a “casual” buffet dinner of shrimp kabobs, baby back ribs, fire-roasted corn and twice-baked potatoes had been set up for them. The family seemed much more at ease without a bunch of guests around. They laughed, sipped their drinks, told Kat embarrassing stories about Finn and pumped her for information about the baby. When she finally told them it was a girl, there were more cheers of exciteme
nt.
After a few hours, Kat found herself really enjoying this time with the Steeles. She was having more fun with them than she’d ever expected to. They were remarkably down to earth once you set aside the luxurious surroundings. After eating, some people played cards on the top deck, while others went to a lower lounge to watch the water from shaded sofas. Kat was included in every conversation and game. They didn’t look at her with suspicion the way she’d thought they might, nor did anyone pin her in a corner to grill her. Aside from Sawyer generally avoiding her, everyone was friendly and welcoming. Just the way she imagined a family was supposed to be.
She had no idea how things were going to go with Finn when he returned. She had her fingers crossed about that. But if she liked him half as much as she did the rest of this family, they might have a chance. Kat hadn’t intended to start a family this way, but it seemed as if her daughter would at least get some decent aunts and uncles out of it.
“You guys need to come outside to the top deck if you’re going to watch the fireworks the city is setting off over the harbor. We’ve got a surprise, too,” Morgan said.
Kat had been watching Sawyer and Harley battle each other at chess when they heard the call from above. She was surprised to notice the sun had gone down while they were playing. When she reached the top deck, she noticed the whole boat was lit with pink light.
“Surprise!” Jade and Morgan said, as she stepped out.
“How did you turn the yacht pink?” she asked in amazement.
“All the lights are remote controlled fluorescents and can change to over two hundred thousand color combinations. Tonight, in honor of Baby Girl Steele, it’s going to be pink. I don’t care if it’s the Fourth of July,” Morgan declared.
“We’ve got a few minutes before the fireworks start,” Jade said. “Come with us to get some drinks.”
Kat followed the girls to the bar, where a gentleman in a polo shirt embroidered with the name of the yacht was waiting to make them a drink. She took her club soda and cranberry juice back with her, enjoying the view from the deck now that the sun had set. Charleston lit up, with the bridge stretching across the waterway and the Yorktown in the distance, was a stunning sight.
The three of them settled in a private area of clustered couches, away from the rest of the crowd on the third deck.
“Okay, so without everyone else around to hear, I’m curious about what’s going on with you and Finn,” Jade pressed.