Even if he had to deal with an occasional jerk, the perks far outweighed everything else.
“I’m sorry,” Zoey said as she helped Damion clean up the deck of the sailboat.
“For?” he asked, tossing the bags of trash over his shoulder. There were large bins for trash at the edge of the parking area.
“It just gets to me. Hearing that shit.” Zoey shook her head. “You know, I don’t mind gossip, name calling, or someone being rude because they’re just assholes, but racism is a whole different ballpark. After what Lea went through last year, I guess you can say my eyes are opened to it a lot more.”
“That’s because, and don’t take offense, it never directly affected you,” he pointed out.
“You’re right.” She nodded. “After the sensitivity training we all went through after what happened, I realized that. Still, it really sucks.”
He set the trash bags down and walked over to hug Zoey. “Go home to your family.” He kissed the top of her head. “Thanks for being woke,” he added with a chuckle.
She pinched his arm playfully. “Thanks for letting me go out tonight. I know Reece was supposed to. He told me you rearranged things for me. I needed a night out on the water.”
“Having a kid can drive you crazy,” he said as he picked up the trash again. She followed him off the boat and they made their way towards the parking area.
“Oh, but so worth it. We’re already planning our next one,” Zoey said with a smile.
“Seriously?” He shook his head. “You and your friends are going to have to make this place a kid-friendly zone soon.”
Zoey laughed at that. “I hear you and Jules are going out next weekend?” she asked. “Taking her to your place down the coast?”
“Yeah, she hasn’t been there, and I made a promise…” He dropped off.
“What?” Zoey asked, stopping on the trail to look at him.
“Nothing.” He shook his head. But Zoey gave him a look, and he knew he wasn’t going to be able to get out of telling her. “Okay, just don’t… tell anyone. Not even the rest of the Wildflowers. Promise?”
She narrowed her eyes. “No, we tell each other everything.”
He groaned then started walking.
“Okay,” she said, taking his arm and catching up with him. “What?”
He narrowed his eyes at her then shrugged. “Jules’s dad is having some… health issues. Tutu asked me to take her out next weekend while they head to Pensacola to see a specialist. She didn’t want Jules to worry too much. She’s been… taking it hard.”
“I wondered…” Zoey sighed. “She’s been acting… quiet, lately.”
He nodded. “Yeah, I noticed too.”
“What can we do for her?” Zoey asked.
“Nothing. She hasn’t told anyone because she doesn’t want anyone to know. If her grandmother hadn’t mentioned it to me during our lunch, we’d all still be in the dark. She’ll tell us when she wants to.” He touched Zoey’s arm.
Zoey smiled. “Agreed. But at least I can convince chef Isaac to hook you up on your trip.” She rubbed her hands together. “He knows all of Jules’s favorite dishes and desserts.” She clapped her hands. “It’s decided. I’ll arrange all the meals.” She rushed down the pathway in the opposite direction of the parking lot.
He shrugged, knowing there was no use arguing or complaining. Besides, most of the time when he sailed down the coast, he ate sandwiches or grilled fish that he’d caught and had to cook himself. Having the entire trip catered by a top chef sounded very appealing. Almost as appealing has having Jules along for the ride.
CHAPTERFOUR
That weekend the main hall was closed off for Hannah’s and Elle’s baby gender reveals. Most of the guests had come and gone for their early dinners while others who hadn’t eaten yet were shown to the dining area by the main swimming pool.
The entire dining hall was decorated in soft yellows. Even though Hannah had less than two months before her due date, they had kept the gender of the baby a secret, waiting for Elle to get word.
Jules knew that the five friends did almost everything together.
“Wow, this looks amazing,” Hannah said, stepping into the hall. She and Elle had been blocked from helping decorate for the evening.