Page 27

“It wouldn’t be a bad idea. Everyone needs dikes and strippers on their boat. What a party.”

Sam rolled her eyes playfully as Taylor cracked up at her own joke.

“Nah, in all seriousness, it could be good to have some. Do you keep a toolbox on the boat?”

“A little one, but it’d look pretty sad next to yours. I have a few things on here now after working on Manny for so long, but I’ll usually just borrow anything else I need from Dad or his friends.”

“That’s fair enough. Well, if you ever need anything you can add my tools to your list as ‘free to borrow’,” Taylor offered.

“Thanks. I’m sure I’ll probably take you up on that at some point.”

Sam looked at her watch.

“You gotta go?” Taylor asked as she started sorting out the nest of wires.

“Probably soon, but I have a few more minutes if you don’t mind.”

“Be my guest. Well, I mean, be your own guest. It’s your boat.”

“True. Gosh, sometimes it doesn’t feel real that it’s actually mine and I’ll be able to live on it soon enough.”

Taylor felt a slight pang at the thought of Sam leaving.Strange. She hardly knew the woman!

“Well believe it. You certainly look like you’ve done a lot of work so far and things like fixing this,” Taylor said, holding up a couple of wires, “inch youthat muchcloser to that ultimate goal every day.”

Sam had pressed herself up against the side of the boat, legs tucked under her as she nursed her coffee in thoughtful contemplation.

“Have you taken it out on many trips yet?” Taylor asked as she stripped the wires and started relabelling them all to ensure they matched the main switchboard.

“Only local. Every now and then, I’ll go just outside the marina, off the beach overlooking the city, and stay out there overnight. There’s nothing better than the gentle waves rocking you to sleep.”

“Sounds like a home away from home.”

“It really is. It’s so snug in the cabin too, once it’s all set up properly. I also made sure to get a hatch put in right above the bed so I can stargaze.”

“Okay, now that sounds magical. Watching lightning storms in bedandstars from your boat? I’m noticing a trend here.”

“Yeah, I do love appreciating nature. Especially the sky,” Sam reflected.

“I feel like that when I’m on my SUP. Actually, I was surprised when you said you hadn’t tried paddleboarding yet. You live in the marina!” Taylor playfully scolded.

Sam covered her eyes with her hand. “Iknow. I see people down on theirs all the time. I guess I’m just usually on the boat or working and hadn’t thought of getting my own.”

“Fair enough.”

“I am keen to try it though,andI’m also looking forward to tomorrow night. As long as you promise it’s not a game that takes four hours to play or anything like that?”

“Promise,” said Taylor, hand over her heart. “We’re into modern board games. ThinkWingspan, Dice Throne, Quacks of Quedlinburg—that sort of thing.”

“I’m sorry, what? Was that last one even English?” Sam said with a laugh. “I’ve literally never heard ofanyof them.”

“Good. Then there’ll be no expectations,andthey’re easy to learn. Just follow my lead.”

“If you say so.”

“I know so. Want to meet at mine and I’ll drive us over? Jess is heading straight to our friend Marie’s house from work, so it’ll just be me.”

“Oh, is Jess your, um, girlfriend?” Sam asked, almost squeaking out the last word.