“But, you have to make sure of how she looks,” Asher insisted. “Sawyer, tell them.”
“He’s right, I do care about that,” I agreed, “but not like you think. I just mean I have to be attracted.”
“And you think you need these bombshell-looking women to be attracted?” Aunt Victoria frowned. “I thought you were serious about this.”
“I am serious! But I know what I like, so what does it matter if I picked on looks?” I leaned back and looked out over the open water. “I’ll read the bios from the ones you picked, but I also want to see the bios for the three we picked.”
“Why did you involve me and ask me to pick if you’re going to change it?” Aunt Victoria also leaned back in her chair. “You’re making a mistake and you’re wasting my time.”
“You’re angry with me?” I turned my chair to face her. “Please, don’t be. You’re right. I did call you asking for help, like you picked for the others.”
“Exactly, so why am I here?” Aunt Victoria pulled the laptop in front of her. “If you’re going to interfere, then let’s end it now, and you two boys can go back to your parties.”
“I don’t want to end it.” I looked into my aunt’s eyes. “You telling me to end it now made me realize that I really don’t want to end it.”
“Good, so let’s forget this hiccup and move on.” Aunt Victoria put her palm to my cheek. “You deserve to be happy Sawyer, really happy, not just party time happy.”
“Thanks, Aunt Victoria.” We looked at each other for a second. “Alright then, let’s start over. Let’s read those bios.”
Aunt Victoria went to sit with Sienna listening to the band, leaving me standing in front of the laptop.
“Don’t let her sway you, man.” Asher slapped me on the back. “She’s scary and got some kinda witchcraft about her.”
“She’s good, I’ll admit that, but she’s no witch. What’s the matter with you?” I sat down and started looking at the bios. “Be useful and come look at these with me.”
“I already looked at them while you were having your little pow-wow with my mother.” Asher went to the bar. “I’m gonna go listen to the band before they leave.”
“I thought you were going to help me,” I grumbled.
“I‘ll come back after a few songs. It’ll give you a few minutes to read through them.” Asher turned with his fresh drink from the bar. “Hey, speaking of the band leaving, isn’t that the cute blonde’s boat docking?”
“They have another hour,” I answered without looking up. “If you’re not going to help, then go away.”
“I’ll be out on the dock. Maybe she’ll come hang out,” Asher said, then walked away. “Perhaps I can convince her to be my date for the next month.”
“Yeah, okay. Wait, what?” I looked around to see Asher walking down the dock to meet Jade’s boat.
Why is she here already?
“Sawyer, are you going to go out there and invite Jade in?” Murphy stretched and yawned. “I’m going to bed, but you shouldn’t leave her out there, especially not with Asher.
“True, she may need to be rescued. I’ll go out there.” I stood. “Aunt Victoria, I approve of your choices, but I would like you to add the two I have on the screen right now.”
I left the computer open and strolled casually out on the dock.
“Miss Campbell, to what do we owe the pleasure of you arriving an hour early?” I asked, a little too sarcastically.
“Mr. Hawthorne, sorry to interrupt your evening. I just decided to get here early,” Jade answered from her boat deck. “I’ll be here doing some paperwork until the band is ready to go.”
“No, she needs to come in and enjoy the music with us. Right, Sawyer?” Asher leaned back on a post. “I’m sure you know the band is good, so come on.”
“Yes, Miss Campbell, we’d love to have you join us.” I cut my eyes over to Asher. “They still have another hour and Asher, here, is getting bored with my company.”
“Really, I am. Please, come have fun with me.” Asher put his hand out to help her off her boat.
“Thanks for the offer, Mr. Hawthorne, but I do have some paperwork to complete and this is a good time to do that.” She smiled but didn’t take Asher’s offered hand.
“Which Mr. Hawthorne are you talking to?’ I asked, then went on. “Come on, you can do it. It’s only six letters.”