“Can you come to that?”
“They’re old school. Spouses come, especially if they’re men.” Equality in business wasn’t exactly fair. I didn’t know if Morina really cared one way or the other.
“Well, that’s shitty.” Guess she did. She got up and rinsed her plate. “Anyway, what do I need to know about the meeting? The terminals run fine, right?”
“Refineries are getting antsy to push more oil here. I don’t think it’s necessary. We need to fully restructure. That means–”
“That means the potential for cleaner water and air.”
“Yes, over time.” I explained more as she came and sit on the sofa next to me. I handed her the file when she reached out. “It’s a long road. I want ports open to that throughout Florida though. This state and others need to go more green.”
“Why?” She narrowed her eyes at me. “You’ll lose partners and make enemies that way.”
“I intend to make allies on the other side though. I want to right what my father wronged.”
“Did he wrong all of us?”
“My father wasn’t a good man. He wronged everyone.”
“But my grandma–”
“She probably didn’t know.”
“My grandma wasn’t dumb,” Morina stated, her voice stronger than normal. “She would have done a lot, even if it was bad, to save this town.”
I nodded. I wouldn’t argue with her on that. I wouldn’t elaborate on her grandmother’s votes over the years either.
Cade had hacked into records enough to know her grandma had made deals with the Irish and then with my father over the years. She’d made some terrible votes, and I could only imagine they were because of her partnerships.
“So, I’m voting on what? Can I see the ports beforehand?”
I cleared my throat and thought that over while she folded her knees to her chest and pulled the sweatshirt over them.
“We have to be married first. Then, you get access to everything according to the will. We go to this gala. We put on the show. We get married in the next week. It needs to look real if we’re to maintain your protection. The media will cover us and other businessmen will look into you. Do you understand? This has to be the plan and it has to be executed right.”
Morina wriggled in her baggy sweatshirt, her eyes darting around like she was antsy with the whole thing. “Sure, sure. That sounds good.”
“It’ll be fine.”
“I’m just not used to it.” She cleared her throat and waved her hand in the air.
“I’ll help you get used to it, okay?” I knew my change in subject would calm her: “Want to go surfing now?”
“Can I?”
“If I go with you.”
Her eyes grew even wider. “You said you have to work today. Also, I just... I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to come.”
Now, I was intrigued. “Not a good idea. Why not?”
She chuckled. “Well, you can’t surf, can you?”
“I’m sure I will catch on just fine.”
She laughed and laughed and then her smooth, brown legs slid out from under her sweatshirt. “Okay, Bastian. Let’s see.”
That was easier than I’d expected. For a woman not set on enjoying anything with anyone, she was suddenly fine with me coming along.
I did have to work. I had to call a few companies and attend a virtual meeting regarding my investments. Still, I could maneuver around them.
Today, I had to show a little girl that I knew how to swim. That’s all surfing really was. Swimming and balancing on a damn board.
23
Morina
He wouldn’t be able to get on the board if his life depended on it, I was sure of it. I asked if he’d been paddleboarding or anything. He said he would be just fine.
I tried to hide my surprise when he emerged from his room wearing a gray t-shirt and board shorts. Of course he still looked much more put together than I did in my “excuse me while I kiss the sky” oversized t-shirt. It might have technically belonged to one of my guy friends rather than me. Either way, it hit just below mid thigh and was perfect for a quick car ride to the beach.
When we got there, I hurried from the car, desperate to get on the water. It’d been too long. “You know as a child, my father almost had to save me a few times out there. He used to say to be cautious. She’s beautiful but if you’re not careful, she’ll eat you alive.”
Bastian smirked. “Maybe he would have said the same to me about you.”
“What?” I squinted at him as we approached my food truck.
“Morina Bailey, you’re like the ocean. Pretty without trying, alluring without knowing. But I think you might be just as devastating. You could probably eat me alive.”
I laughed at his assessment, not sure I could take it as a compliment. Still, Bastian’s words warmed me even when I tried to ignore them.
I pulled my board from my abandoned truck, then rounded to the other side. “You can use Bradley’s spare board.”
I think part of him was a little irritated. “You store a board here for him?”
“I’m close to the water. I’ve stored for other people too.”
“Except, his is here routinely.”
I shrugged and slid the board from the hooks. “Sure. He usually surfs with me in the morning if I’m out.”
I hadn’t been though and it was just like Bradley not to reach out with questions. We had that lazy sort of friendship. He might not show for a week or I might not. This time, at least he’d had warning I’d be gone after making me the sign.
“Mo, you back?” My old friend, Jonah, ambled up, his worn body on display in his swim trunks. For a 70-year-old, he rocked his surf bod better than any of us could.
“Not to make smoothies, Jonah. Sorry. It’s going to be a few more weeks.”
He glared at Bastian. “You stole her from us?”
I chuckled. “Someone trashed the inside of my food truck actually.”
Bastian placed his hand on my back. When I glanced at him, he winked, his eyes full of determination suddenly.
A display was in order, I guess. “We’re also sort of dating,” I mumbled.
Jonah nodded. “Word gets around.” He shook out his shaggy gray hair. “Hope this man is good to you. And remember, I need to make sure I get more smoothies soon.” He patted my shoulder and walked on, undoubtedly chasing bigger waves down the beach.
“We’re going this way.” I pointed toward a smaller surf area. “I’ve never encountered rip tides here but don’t fight the water if you go under.”
His brow lifted. “Don’t fight the water?”
“Yes, the water can feel overwhelming when you fall. Never panic. I always say if you go with the flow under there, it’s a fun, safe sport.”
“And if I don’t do that?”
“Well, you can’t dominate the ocean, Bastian. And you can’t reason with it either. The ocean is the boss. Treat her that way.”
“Her?”
“Sure. Only a woman could handle all these men riding her and come out on top every single time, right?”