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They’d barely made it back in time for dinner, their make-out session turning more heated than anticipated. Not that Taylor was complaining.At all.

They walked hand in hand up to Matt’s boat, the breeze really starting to pick up as the night air cooled. Taylor felt her hands starting to get clammy, and she fought the urge to shake them out, choosing to squeeze Sam’s hand instead and give her a tight smile.

Sam brought them to a stop at the edge of the pontoon before they stepped on board. “You good?” she checked, watching her closely.

“Yeah, I just get a little weird around parents.”

Sam squeezed her hand back. “Dad is like theleastparent-y parent I know, plus you’ve already met him a few times around the place, so the hardest part is already over.”

“But that wasbeforeI was your girlfriend.”

“Wellyouare stillyou,” said Sam, poking her in the chest with her free hand. “Nothing’s changed, you’ve got this.” She pressed a soft kiss to her cheek. Taylor felt it all the way to her toes. She closed her eyes and nodded. She could do this.Just don’t think about the fact that you just fu?—

“Sammy! Taylor, great to see you again.” Matt popped up from the cabin. “I thought I heard voices. Come in, come in.” He ushered them on.

Taylor felt her face flush.Stop thinking.She jumped into girlfriend mode, hopping up on the boat first, and holding out her hand to help Sam on. “Thank you,” Sam said, stepping onto the deck. As they turned, she caught Matt watching them with a soft smile.One point to her at least.

“Hope you’re hungry,” Matt said, once they’d taken their seats around the table. Sam had wedged herself right into the corner, with Taylor sliding in alongside her.

She took in the boat: all rich woods, super comfy cream lounges and white ceilings. It felt very homey with warm overhead lights. She couldn’t help but relax a little more as they sat, Matt pottering around in the kitchenette.

“I’ve made chicken shit!” he singsonged, grinning at both of them.

If she’d been drinking, Taylor would’ve spat it out as she felt her eyes round like saucers. Sam caught her reaction and started cackling, grabbing Taylor’s hand in hers.

“He means chickenparmigiana. It’s a family joke. When Mum used to make it when I was little, Dad would always say ‘make that chicken shit’, and it stuck around.”

“Oooohhhhh. I love it. The storyandthe parmigiana.”

“You haven’t tried it yet,” Matt piped up. “Sam’s a better cook than me.”

“I’m sure it’s great, Mr. Garner.”

He laughed. “Call me Matt, please. We aren’t fancy around here,” he said, bringing the plates over.

Dinner was much better than Matt gave himself credit for. She devoured the dish, finishing the whole thing embarrassingly earlier than the other two.

“Well, as you can see, I really did love it.” Taylor chuckled, gesturing at the empty plate. Matt smiled back, his mouth still full of chicken.

“If you’re lucky, I might make this for us again on our trip,” Sam offered.

“Hell yeah!” Taylor replied, forgetting herself in front of Matt. “I mean, yes please.”

Matt gave her a look. “I’m a sailor, Taylor. I don’t give a shit about swearing.” He grinned, making her smile too. She was starting to like him more and more.

Conversation flowed easier than Taylor was anticipating as the night went on. They talked mainly about the trip, with Taylor filling them both in on what she’d been learning between her Day Skipper theory course and Bareboat Cruising book so far. While she knew a lot about fixing boats, she needed to bring herself up to speed with navigation, reading charts and just all round being more useful to Sam beyondjusta tradie lady.

Instead of Taylor Time, it looks like she was turning into Taylor Sailor instead.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Sam took in the desk, the counter, the shop. This place, so much more than a business, was like her second home. But not for much longer.

Everything was in the cleanest, most organised state she’d ever seen. She barely recognised her surroundings. Gone were the fifteen-year-old price lists her dad refused to get rid of, and her height marks had been erased with fresh white paint on the side of the counter. While it didn’t feel like home anymore, she didn’t feel emotional like she thought she would. She felt ready to say goodbye—ready to say hello to the next chapter of her life. She didn’t want her or her dad stuck here any longer than they had to. Plus, there was a whole world out there for them to discover.

She scanned in another lot of items into the POS system the new owners had installed. It still felt weird scanning things in rather than writing down the amounts like she’d always done. The shop was being brought into a whole new era. She really did like the direction the new owners wanted to take it, and you could see the passion they had in every decision they made. It felt good knowing the place would still be here if she wanted tocome back and visit, and to know all her favourite local boaties would continue to be looked after for some time to come.

The buzzer sounded, and Sam looked up to see a very familiar face walk through the door. “Larry!” She grinned up at him. Jase strolled in soon after.