Tia jumped when she heard someone knocking on her door. “Who is it?” she demanded as she grabbed a tissue to wipe her tears.
“It’s me,” Leo said. “Can I talk to you?”
She let out a long sigh, then barely cracked open the door. “What?” she asked in a flat tone.
“What’s wrong?” He peered at her with a furrowed brow. “Why have you been crying?”
“I—I just couldn’t stand it, not for one more minute,” she told him. “You guys fighting like that, with me in the middle of everything. It reminded me of my parents, back before they got divorced. I just couldn’t take it.” Her tears returned.
Leo pushed open the door and took her into his arms. “I’m sorry, Tia. It was wrong for us to do that to you. You shouldn’t have been forced to hear all that stupid nonsense—or to be caught in the middle of it. I don’t even know how that keeps happening with you, but I know you’re right. You have been in the middle . . . a lot. And I’m sorry about that. And sorry you got hurt.”
“It’s just that it felt like a trigger,” she confessed as he held her. “Like it detonated something inside of me, something I probably never dealt with properly before.” She took in a jagged breath and stepped away from him. “Maybe it’s a good thing. Maybe it’s something I need to face up to.”
“I hate that I’m the one who forced it on you, though. You’ve been nothing but good to me, Tia. I really value you and our friendship.”
She sniffed. “Yeah. Me too.”
“Forgive me for that mess with Natalie. Those things she said about you being responsible for breaking us up were ludicrous. I know you would never do that.”
She sighed and shook her head. Not on purpose, anyway.
“I think Natalie understands that it’s over between us. The engagement is off.”
She looked into his eyes. “Are you sure, Leo? I mean, that it’s what you want? Even if Natalie—”
“There’s nothing Natalie can do that will change how I feel, Tia.” He gave a crooked smile. “To be honest, I feel like I dodged a bullet.”
“You don’t love Natalie?”
“Not like that. Not enough to marry her.” He took Tia’s hand, pulling her out into the dining room. “I feel awkward having this conversation in there,” he said as he released her hand. “But I want you to know the truth about me and Natalie. Do you think you can handle it, or will this make you feel like I’m putting you in the middle again?”
She considered this. “I’d actually like to know—I mean, the truth about you and Natalie.”
He pulled out a dining room chair. “Care to sit?”
“Thanks.”
“Natalie and I have been friends for our entire lives. You know how she went through her awkward era, the teen years. You saw how insecure she was during sailboat camp. Anyway, I was her friend throughout all of that. Then she went to college, and when she came back a year ago, well, she looked, uh . . .”
“Gorgeous.”
“Right. Of course, our families started pushing us together. Natalie started working at the firm, and my dad thinks she’s the greatest thing since sliced bread. So Nat and I started dating around Christmas. Not really seriously—at least I didn’t think so. But it got to be fairly steady—kind of expected. To be honest, I wasn’t quite sure where it was going, or if I really wanted it to go anywhere. But my dad was so pleased about it, and everyone in our families seemed to think we made a perfect match. I guess I allowed myself to get sucked in.” He peered curiously at her. “You really don’t mind me dumping all this on you?”
“I actually appreciate it, Leo. It’s helping me to understand some things that I didn’t really get.”
“Anyway, like I said, I did love Natalie—although in hindsight I know it was more like the way I love my sister. But the truth is, I’m a guy and I’m human, and I gotta admit that Natalie’s new and improved appearance kind of turned my head at first. I honestly wasn’t ready for an engagement, though. If she hadn’t pressed me that day—that same day that you arrived—I never would’ve gone there.” He locked eyes with her. “Especially after getting reacquainted with you, Tia. I never would’ve proposed to Natalie.”
Tia felt a rush of emotions. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, in a way, Natalie was right about one thing today. You’re a big part of the reason my relationship with Natalie went sideways. But it wasn’t your fault, Tia. You never did anything to come between Nat and me. Not intentionally anyway. It was simply who you are, the way you are . . . that drove a huge wedge between Nat and me.”
“Oh?”
“I tried several times to have a serious conversation with Natalie. I kept hinting to her that I wanted to slow things down, but the more I put on the brakes, the faster she seemed to want it to go. I felt like I was on a runaway train. And I had no idea about the things she was keeping from me. I wish I’d found out sooner, I would’ve broken up weeks ago. As it was, I was just trying to find the right moment, the right way. I wanted to let her down gently. Didn’t want to break her heart. As crazy as it felt at the time, I was actually relieved when she blew me off on the Fourth of July.”
“Wow . . . I didn’t really know that. I mean, sometimes I’d think you were getting trapped into something. But then I’d spend time with Natalie, and aside from the stuff she was keeping from you, she seemed so sweet and nice and everything.”
“She is . . . for the most part. But she’s a little spoiled too.”
“Melinda told me some things,” Tia confessed. “She was concerned.”
“Yeah, Melinda had been trying to warn me I was making a mistake.”
“You’re really glad it’s over with?” Tia asked.
His face broke into a wide smile—a smile that reminded her of the boy she’d met on the sailboat ten years ago. “I don’t even know how to explain it. I feel like I just got released from a life sentence.”
Tia laughed.
“I didn’t really want to overwhelm you. Especially after hearing how stressed out you were from getting caught in the middle of my mess with Natalie. But I really do care about you, Tia. I want you to understand what was going on.”
“Thanks.” She smiled. “I do have one question.”
“What?”
“How did you sneak onto the boat without me knowing it?”
“The rowboat.”
She nodded. “Oh, yeah. Of course.”
“I’m glad I took you girls by surprise. It was good to hear you standing up to Natalie like that, Tia.”
“How was she? I mean, when she left? Was she still furious?”
“The good news is, she knows that I meant what I said. That it’s over. I’m sure she’s upset to find out she isn’t getting her way with this. But she’ll get over it in time. From what I’ve heard, there’s a guy at the firm who’s been pursuing her. Conrad Gibson.”
“Conrad!” Tia exclaimed. “That’s the guy at the engagement party, the one who was a Stanford alumni that she wanted to write an endorsement letter for you to get into law school.”
Leo laughed. “Well, hopefully Nat and her alumni friend will become a couple. That would be excellent.”
Tia didn’t know what to say now.
“Have I overwhelmed you?”
“To be honest, a little.”
Leo slowly stood. “Well, I’m going to give you your space. I know that emotions have been running high around here today. I’m sure we all need a break.”
“Thanks.” Tia’s emotions were still running high, but she agreed with Leo. She did need a break. There was a lot to sort out. Especially if she was understanding him correctly. “There’s a lot to do today.” She stood, facing him. “Lots to get ready for tonight’s mini dinner cruise. I still have prep work to do.”
“I need to take the boat for refueling and to fill the water tank and empty the holding tanks.” He looked at his watch. “Adam should be here soon.”
“Adam?” She was staring into his eyes now, being reminded of how much like the ocean they looked.
“My first mate.”
“Oh, yeah. That’s right.” For a moment they both just stood there gazing at each other, and Tia almost wondered if he was going to kiss her. To her relief he just tipped his head and went on his way. The truth was, she was not ready for kissing just yet. She still needed to process his explanation regarding Natalie. Perhaps to even savor the idea that Leo really cared about her. Did that mean he loved her? Or would this turn out how it had with his last fiancée? Only time would tell. She didn’t plan to rush things. She didn’t want to fall into the Natalie trap and push him. No, she would just bide her time . . . wait and see . . . take what comes.
As she worked in the kitchen, she hummed happily to herself. When she felt the engines starting, she got such a sense of peace and satisfaction that it nearly brought tears of happiness to her eyes. She felt like her life was truly on track, like she was exactly where she was meant to be. No matter what lay ahead, it seemed clear that the tide was changing. She felt exceedingly hopeful.
As she sliced a red onion, she suddenly remembered how her hopes had risen before, only to be dashed later on. How many times had she been deluded and disappointed when it came to Leo? Hopefully that wasn’t going to happen again. Just the same, she was determined to go carefully. No running ahead.
“I’m here,” called a female voice from up in the dining room.
“Haley,” Tia called back eagerly. “I’m down in the galley.” She’d hired this young woman as her sous chef a few days ago. Tonight would be their first time to work together. “You’re early,” she said as Haley came into the galley.
“Yeah. I was so excited to see everything all put together, I decided to come early. The dining room looks fabulous.” Haley looked around. “So does the galley. Wow. This is great.”
“I only set two of the tables upstairs,” Tia said. “But we’ll be seating four tables tonight, so maybe you can get the other two. Like I said on the phone, we’re not having wait-staff tonight. It’s just you and me. But it’s only sixteen guests, so I think we’ll be fine.”
“You’re serving everyone the same thing?”
“Yes. Just like a regular dinner party—all friends of Julie and Roland, the owners of the boat.” Tia smiled. “No paying guests means no tips tonight.”
“No problem.”
Julie and Roland arrived at 6:00, taking time to look around and admire the completed renovations. “Everything looks beautiful,” Julie told Tia. “Amazingly beautiful.”
“I can hardly believe this is the same boat my parents had,” Roland admitted. “What a transformation.”
“I cleaned up the stateroom,” Tia told him. “If you get tired, feel free to take a break in there.”
“I’m actually feeling pretty strong,” Roland said. “But thanks.”
“There’s our captain,” Julie said happily. “How are you, Leo?”
“Doing really well, thanks.” He smiled at both of them.
“I heard your news . . . the broken engagement,” Roland said quietly. “I’m not sure what to say. Condolences?”
“More like congratulations,” Leo told him.
Roland blinked. “You’re serious?”
“Totally. I feel like I dodged a bullet.”
“Oh, well, marriage isn’t that bad.” Roland slipped his arm around Julie.
“Not when it’s with the right woman.” Leo grinned at Tia, making her cheeks grow warm.
“That’s for sure and for certain.” Roland beamed at him. “Makes all the difference in the world.”
Tia turned to Julie. “Do you and Roland still want to play host and handle the drinks? My sous chef Haley is here, and she’s experienced as a bartender too.”
“We’ll handle it. You girls just focus on dinner,” Julie said.
“What are we having for dinner?” Roland asked.
“Crab-crusted salmon, risotto, roasted veggies, and a few other surprises.”
Roland’s eyes lit up. “I’m salivating.”
“I’ll send Haley up with some hors d’oeuvres for you guys to enjoy on the foredeck,” Tia told him. “And I chilled a pinot grigio for you.”
“Lovely.”
She turned to Julie. “We’ll bring the rest of the hors d’oeuvres up before 7:00, shortly before the guests arrive. Those can be served on the foredeck too, as long as it’s warm enough out there.”
“Perfect.” Julie sighed. “This is a day I’ve been waiting for.”
“We’ll sail at 7:30,” Leo told her.
“This is so exciting.” Julie grabbed Roland’s hand. “Isn’t it?”
He rubbed his beard with twinkling eyes. “It really is.”
Tia felt indescribably happy as she returned to the galley. After all their hard work, all the ups and downs of the last month, it seemed that they were finally able to enjoy the fruit of their labors. As she put the finishing touches on the hors d’oeuvre plate, she said a silent prayer for Julie and Roland, asking for a special blessing for them and their friends this evening.
Before long the boat was moving through the bay, and Tia was loading a tray full of gorgeous salad plates into the dumbwaiter for Haley to serve to the guests. The plan was to text each other by phone, something Tia had devised, to save trips up and down the stairs between the galley and dining room. So far, it was working.
By 8:30, the guests were still enjoying their entrées, with Haley in attendance. During this lull, Tia decided to take a dinner up to Leo. Adam had already made a visit to the galley for his own food.
“Wow, that looks fabulous.” Leo stared down at the salad and dinner plates in her hands. “But where’s yours?”
“I already ate.” She smiled as she set it on the counter, extracting silverware and napkin from a pocket of her chef’s jacket. “I thought you might like this.”
Leo reached over, she thought for the food—but instead he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her to him. “I’d rather have this,” he teased.
She laughed, enjoying the closeness of him.
“I like your chef’s outfit.” He grinned down at her.
“Not very feminine, though.”
“I wouldn’t say that.” He touched her cheek. “Everything you do is feminine, Tia.”
“Oh . . .” She turned and looked out the window into the bay. It wasn’t nearly as crowded as it had been on the Fourth of July. “Looks fairly calm and quiet out there.”
He nodded. “Yeah. It’s a nice evening for a cruise.” He turned her back toward him. “Remember that other time we were looking out over the San Francisco Bay . . . ten years ago?”
“Yeah.” She felt a rush of excitement. Just like ten years ago, he pulled her toward him and kissed her—only this kiss was more. So much more.
“Oh my.” She caught her breath as she stepped away. “I guess I shouldn’t distract you. Wouldn’t want to cause some nautical disaster.”
He laughed. “That wouldn’t be good.”
“It’s so beautiful out there,” she said as he started to eat. “I can understand why this is a job you wouldn’t get tired of.” She looked at him. “Or would you?”
“I don’t know.” He turned the wheel a bit. “Sometimes I think it would be fun to captain a boat to more exotic places. Maybe even around the world.”
“That would be fun.”
He looked at her. “You’d like that?”
“Absolutely.” She nodded. “I mean, I wouldn’t want to leave Julie and Roland too soon. But I’d love to cook on a boat that was traveling farther. That would be amazing.”
He pointed to the crab-crusted salmon he’d just forked into. “Now that is amazing.” He shook his head as he chewed. “So are you.”
“Thanks.” She smiled shyly. “I should get back down to serve dessert.”
“And what might that be?”
“Just cream tarts topped with fresh berries.”
“Sounds good to me.”
“I’ll bring you one later.”
“Thanks.” He reached over to gently touch her cheek. “For everything.”
Despite her kitchen clogs, her feet felt as light as fairy wings as she went down the stairs to the galley. She couldn’t remember a time when she’d ever felt this happy. Although it was hard to imagine that life could go on like this for longer than just a few perfectly idyllic moments, she felt hopeful. Maybe it could.