Page 7 of A Shore Fling

NINA

E very step I take rubs my leather sandals against my already raw feet.

I’ve been cursing myself for wearing them since I left the harbor.

Maybe during my time away from the city I’ll learn to prioritize practicality over style.

That would be a valuable skill for my parents to have taught me, but being a Moreau, there was no chance in hell of that happening.

I’m limping up the hill when an old Jeep pulls up beside me. There’s a woman about my age inside.

“Hey, I’m Willow. You look like you could use a ride.”

I smile. “Hi. I’m Nina, and you look like a godsend.”

She laughs. “That might be a stretch. Throw your bags in the back and jump in.”

Her energy is contagious, and I hurry to do as she suggests.

“Where to?” she asks as we start moving.

“I don’t remember the street address, but the harbormaster said it’s up and down this hill, and then the house is on the right.”

Her gaze briefly lands on me. “You met Travis?”

Oh boy, did I meet him.

“Yes.”

“It’s good you didn’t let him scare you off. His bark is worse than his bite.”

“Have you known him for long?” Maybe she can offer me some insight about the grumptastic harbormaster.

“You could say that. His brother and I are best friends.”

“Is he as abrasive as Travis?”

She snorts. “No. He’s the town lothario.”

“Oh jeez. Does that make you his wingwoman?”

“Unfortunately, it does.”

“How’s he as a wingman?”

She wrinkles her nose. “Not as good as I’d like.”

As we approach the top of the hill, I thank my lucky stars that Willow picked me up. Between my sore feet and my luggage, I’m not sure I would’ve made it to the top.

“You’re gonna want to look out your window now,” she tells me, stopping the Jeep.

I turn my head and suck in an awe-filled breath. The view of the sun setting over the ocean is a breathtaking mix of pinks and purples. “Wow. Now, this is what I came here for.”

“Where are you from?”

“New York City. I don’t get to see wide open views of the horizon like this.” I pull out my phone and snap a few pictures.

“All set?” she asks.

“Yep. Thanks for stopping.”

“I’m spoiled. I get to see these beautiful views every day, but that doesn’t mean I take them for granted.”

We start down the hill. The houses in this neighborhood are modest with small yards.

“I’m supposed to look for lobster trap chairs on a front porch.”

“The Rock Lobster?” she asks.

“That’s the one. I have a hunch I’ll be singing that B-52’s song while I’m here.”

She laughs. “Oh, you will, for sure.” We turn into the driveway of a cedar-shingled cottage with a red front door.

“Aww, this is so quaint. I love it,” I say.

Willow shuts down the engine and gets out. She opens the back door. “Let me help you with your things.”

“You don’t need to.”

“I insist.” She grabs my suitcase and leather bag, leaving me carrying the small tote.

“This hardly seems fair,” I point out as we step onto the porch. I notice the two lobster trap chairs, and there’s an outdoor rug underneath them with a giant lobster printed on it.

“You need your hands free to open the door.”

“Oh crap. I don’t remember the code.” I check my phone. “Dammit. I can’t seem to get any internet here.”

“Yeah, it’s a crap shoot. Try 1-2-3-4 for the lock code.”

I shrug, pushing the numbers one at a time on the keypad above the doorknob, and it works. I’d high-five Willow if her hands weren’t full. Instead, I send her a grateful look. “How did you know?”

“It’s the standard code here.”

“Don’t people worry about break-ins?” I have three locks on my apartment door, and my building has a doorman.

She shakes her head. “Not at all. Most year-round residents leave their doors unlocked all the time.” I visibly shudder at the thought, and she notices. “This is a different way of life.”

That sounds like exactly what I need.

I step inside the cottage and then immediately stop in my tracks.

Willow barely avoids bumping into me. “Holy fudging lobsters.” I hear snickering behind me as I tentatively move forward.

Everywhere I look, there are lobsters. Lobsters on the rug, lobster-patterned curtains, lobster pillows, lobster tchotchkes on the coffee table, lobster-themed artwork on the walls.

But my favorite thing of all would be the giant lobster- shaped LIVE, LAUGH, LOBSTER sign hanging above the fireplace.

“Did you know about this place?” I ask.

She sets my bags down. “Yep. It’s kind of famous locally.”

So that’s why Travis laughed when I mentioned the name.

I walk through the rest of the rooms and… surprise , they’re all lobster themed. I guess I should be happy there isn’t a tank of live ones anywhere.

“So what do you think?” Willow asks.

“I’m a little overwhelmed. This was unexpected.”

She laughs. “Yeah. I’m surprised the rental agency didn’t give you a heads-up.”

“They had a last-minute cancellation and I snatched it up last night.”

“I take it you needed to get away.”

“You could say that. But not in an I-broke-the-law way.”

She grins, pointing at my feet. “No hardened criminal would run away with those sandals.”

I laugh. “These were a bad choice, for sure. I’m going to remove them now.” Bending down, I undo the buckles over my ankles and shake each foot free. “Ooh, much better.”

Willow grimaces at the sight of my blisters. “You need to get those puppies in the ocean. The salt water helps everything heal.”

“Really? What about bacteria?”

She dismisses my concern with a wave of her hand. “If bacteria are an issue, the town posts warning signs.”

“That’s good to know. A case of flesh-eating bacteria isn’t on my summer itinerary.”

“Do you need anything before I go?”

“I don’t think so.”

“What are your plans for eating?”

“I figured I’d order delivery, and tomorrow I can figure out groceries.”

“I’m gonna recommend The Sand Bar for dinner, and they deliver.”

Ouch. The name’s a little painful, but I haven’t eaten since before I left home this morning, and I’m not in a position to be choosy.

“Thanks. I’m starving.”

“No problem. The grocery store delivers too. You should be able to get online now.” She points out the black router.

“Thank God.”

“Let me give you my number in case you have any questions or are looking for some company.” I pass over my phone, and she types her information. She sends herself a text so she also has my number.

“Watch out. I’ll take you up on that offer. I’m not sure what I’m going to do with all my free time.”

“Please do. It would be nice to hang out with someone who hasn’t known me my entire life.”

“Thanks again for the ride. I don’t think I would’ve made it up that hill.”

“Don’t mention it. Besides, seeing your reaction to the interior of this place made my night.”

I laugh. “I’m sure I’m about to have nightmares with lobsters chasing me.”

“Open all the windows, and the salt air will have you sleeping like a baby,” she suggests.

“Yeah, I will. I usually get up at six a.m. every day. I’m looking forward to breaking that habit.”

“That sounds like hell,” she says, walking toward the door.

“Have a good night, Willow.”

“Thanks. You too.”

I lock up behind her and then go around opening the windows. I immediately order pizza and salad from The Sand Bar, then call my sister while I wait for the delivery.

“Nina!” Irene answers after the second ring.

“Hey, you.”

“Are you in Maine?”

“I am. I just got to the house and ordered pizza.”

“Why did you arrive so late?” she asks, sounding concerned.

“It’s a long story.”

“Tell me!” she demands, and I don’t feel like arguing.

“Oh, fine. I took an Uber from the airport to the harbor where the Sea Ray, which is included in the rental, was docked. I was given a quick lesson on how to operate the boat, and then I went on my way.”

“Hold up. You drove a boat by yourself?”

“Yeah.” I mean, technically I did.

“Why did your voice waver?”

“Because I ended up driving onto a sandbar and getting stranded on a small island for about five or six hours.”

“Are you joking?”

I sigh. “If only.”

“Is it horrible to wish I’d been there as a witness?”

“You mean as a witness to my humiliation?”

She giggles. “Absolutely. Did you lose your shit?”

“No. What good would that have done?”

“Nina, forever the calm and composed Moreau sibling. So what did you do to kill time?”

“I sat in the shade of some trees, but it was still hot as hell, so I had to keep wading into the water.”

“How did you get off the island?”

“The harbormaster rescued me.”

“Ooh, I’m picturing some grouchy old guy with a grizzled beard like Captain Quint in Jaws .”

“You got the grouchy part right, but the rest couldn’t be further from the truth.”

“Tell me all the deets.”

“His name is Travis, and he’s probably around forty.”

“He’s hot?”

It pains me to admit that labeling him as merely hot is inadequate. “He’s handsome and very manly. Tall and muscular with a heavy side of sarcasm.”

“Sounds like you’re in love, sis.”

I snort. “Hardly. But I’m grateful for his help, even if he called me a disaster.”

“You’re the most capable person I know,” she defends.

“Yeah, not so much when it comes to driving a boat.”

Irene snickers. “Good point.”

“I’m gonna go so I can change out of my sea salt-crusted clothes. I’ll talk to you soon.”

“You'd better. And I’ll let you know when I hear from family members after they read the email heard round the world.”

Can’t wait.

I groan. “I’m not going to think about it tonight.”

“You shouldn’t. Enjoy your quiet. I’ll miss you.”

“I already miss you.”

“Talk soon,” she says.

“Yes, we will. Bye.” I hang up and then grab my bags, carrying them into the primary bedroom. I don’t dare shower with my dinner about to be delivered, so I change into a clean t-shirt and shorts.

The food is delivered by a teenage boy who does a double-take when I hand off a twenty for his tip.

“How much change would you like?” he asks.

“None. That’s for you.”

His eyes bulge. “Whoa. Thank you, ma’am.”

“Call me Nina, and you’re welcome. I have a feeling I’ll be ordering delivery a lot while I’m here.”

He grins, tucking the money into his front pocket. “I sure hope so.”

After I lock the door, I set everything on the kitchen table and then fall into a chair.

I’m weak with hunger, and it’s been a long freaking day.

I devour my salad and three pieces of pizza along with two glasses of water.

When I’m finished, I feel much better, and my mishap from earlier today isn’t weighing as heavily on me.

After all, I’m only human. Tomorrow is sure to be better.