“Or five, if you’d rather,” Asher joined in. “Don’t let him aggravate you. Come on in.”
“Maybe I’ll come in after I get these papers done.” She stepped back and leaned against the helm. “Don’t let me interrupt any further.”
“If that’s what you’d prefer.” I turned to leave. “Asher, you coming?”
“In a few minutes.”
I left Asher on the dock chatting with Jade. I didn’t understand why she was so mad at me, but those thoughts went away when I returned to find three sets of eyes, female eyes, staring me down.
“What? I asked her. She said no.” I pulled a chair out and sat at the laptop. “Where are we now?”
“You were picking brides and not caring that your cousin is flirting with Jade,” Aunt Victoria smirked, then said nothing else.
“I can feel you staring.” I smiled to myself. “Just come over here and let’s finish this, already.”
“I already put in my two cents, so, goodnight.” Murphy waved to the band as she passed them.
“Sawyer, I don’t necessarily agree with your two added choices but, since you’re doing multiples, I don’t see a lot of harm in trying them out,” Aunt Victoria said. “See, I can compromise.”
“When are we doing this? I asked. “Did you place the order?”
Chapter 33
Jade
Ihadn’t thought completely through it when I decided to head to Cloud Nine an hour early.
Maybe I shouldn’t have come early? Just leave now, make up an excuse.
“Well, thanks for the invite, Mr. Hawthorne, but I need to go back to the marina. I’ll be back.” I went back to the helm. “See you in a bit.”
I steered the boat away from the dock and in the direction of the marina.
Who are you kidding? You don’t want to go back to the dark marina.
I turned the boat back around to find Asher still standing on the dock.
“Hey, you came back,” he called out. “What happened?”
“Oh, I got a call that I didn’t need to come back right now.” I docked and threw out my ropes. “I still have paperwork to do, so don’t mind me.”
“My mother just sent me a text that I better bring you up to the patio.” Asher showed me his cell screen. “Just so you know, no one says no to my mother.”
“Is Victoria your mother?” I asked, a little surprised.
“Yes ma’am.” Asher leaned against a dock post. “I’m following orders here. I know better than to say no.”
“She didn’t seem that scary to me.” I laughed at his serious face. “Have I just discovered your kryptonite?”
“Ha, that’s one way to look at it,” Asher laughed out loud. “Don’t get me wrong, my mother is great, but she’s not to be messed with.”
“Duly noted. I’ll wear my armor when I pick her up in the morning.” I made a serious face and waved to Victoria. “Really, you don’t need to stay, I’ll be perfectly okay out here.”
“If you don’t mind, I’d rather hang out here and talk to you.” Asher put his cell in his pocket. “They’re busy up there looking at brides.”
“Brides? Who’s getting married?” I asked.
“No, the question iswho’s getting a bride?” Asher corrected. “My cousin wants to get married. Why, I don’t know, but he does.”