Chapter Sixteen
Josephine
The moment we arrived at the marina, I realized I’d made a huge mistake. Julian punched in the private access code and two wrought iron gates stirred to life. A brick-paved drive lined with rose bushes led us toward the guest parking lot. Attendants in white oxfords and starched slacks zipped around on golf carts, helping guests at the marina and ensuring that everything was running as it should be.
I stared out the window as I unclicked my seatbelt. Dread was already swimming in my stomach.
“Uhhh, I thought we were going boating,” I said, focused on a group of gorgeous girls stepping out of a Mercedes SUV a few yards away from us. They might as well have been in ball gowns compared to my outfit.
Julian peered over my shoulder and I turned to meet his eye. Whereas I probably looked like I’d just seen a ghost, Julian looked calm and collected.
“We are,” he said.
“No. We’re going yachting,” I said, pointing toward the rows of massive sailboats that lined the front of the marina. “Those girls are wearing designer dresses and high heels.”
I was wearing a colorful, short cover-up over a royal blue bikini. I had on gold strappy sandals and I looked cute-as-fuck. Did I, however, look like I was about to go yachting with New York City’s upper elite? No. I probably would have fit in better at the Jersey Shore between Snooki and JWoww.
Julian’s gaze drifted down, taking me in inch by inch, and then he smiled as he met my eyes once again.
“I think you look great.”
I rolled my eyes. “Oh please.”
From our vantage point, I could see the guests who’d arrived before me. The women were definitely the ones from the SUV beside ours, and I could already see their layers of jewelry and vintage scarves from yards away. Gag me. I hadn’t realized I was spending the morning with the future Queens of England.
“Normally in Texas, boating means taking a shitty boat out on the water and then docking it as soon as possible so that you can float around in the water and drink beer.”
Julian smiled. “Ah, I see. I guess I should have mentioned that Dean has a yacht.”
“Yes. I see that now, obviously. I look so out of place in this outfit. Apparently I should have put on some starched khakis.”
Julian cracked up. “You look amazing. I promise.”
“We both know why you’re saying that,” I offered with a pointed stare.
I wasn’t an idiot. I’d been well-endowed since the age of thirteen. My chest had a way of making even the most self-respecting men babble every now and then.
He nibbled on his bottom lip for a second and then reached for the hem of his shirt. “All right, let’s swap outfits.”
I squeezed my eyes shut as laughter overtook me.
“I’m fairly certain you’d look hideous in this bikini, but thanks for the offer.”
I held up my hand, pleading with him to stop. The guests on the sailboat had surely seen us by now. We probably looked like weirdos just sitting in the car.
I took a deep breath and pushed my insecurities aside. “It’s fine. I mean you’re wearing swim trunks, so it can’t be that bad that I’m in a bikini.”
Julian nodded and hopped out of the car so he could get my door. He offered me a reassuring smile before grabbing the bag from my shoulder. I’d stuffed in a towel and some snacks in case Dean wasn’t one to provide food. There was no way I’d last all day out on a boat without some Cheez-Its to hold me over.
We continued on toward Dean’s boat. The closer we got, the more I realized just how large it was. A family of ten could have easily lived on the damn thing and I bet Dean took it out maybe five times a year, tops. Jeez.
Julian ushered me toward the bridge that connected the dock to the yacht, but before I could step forward, he reached out for my elbow to stop me. I stared down at his hand and then looked up to see him concealing a devious smile.
“I’ll be honest,” he said with a smirk. “I knew you’d be underdressed as soon as I picked you up.”
I narrowed my eyes.
“And you didn’t tell me to change?” I asked.
“I decided I’d rather be selfish,” he answered, finally releasing the mischievous grin he’d been doing his best to hide. Julian wanted to see me in a bikini. What a stupid turd.
“You suck, Julian,” I said, turning so quickly I almost ran directly into Dean’s chest.
I hadn’t even realized he was so close.
“Here here,” Dean said, holding his beer in the air to show his agreement.
Julian laughed and kept hold of my elbow as I stepped forward onto the boat. Once I was sure of myself, I stepped out of his grasp and took in Dean, instantly feeling better about my outfit.
The girls I’d seen might have been dressed to the nines, but Dean was ready to party. He was wearing a captain’s hat, a loose Hawaiian shirt, and black swimming trunks. He looked silly and yet still devastatingly handsome. His Hawaiian shirt was unbuttoned and his tan chest was on full display. Clearly, opening and running multiple restaurants still allowed plenty of time for the gym.
“Finally a girl who knows how to dress for a day on the water!” Dean said, reaching for my hand and forcing me to spin around in a circle. I played along and laughed. Normally I would have shied away from a display like that, but I wanted to tease Julian any chance I could get.
“Easy,” Julian warned from behind me, his tone suddenly harsher than it’d been a second before.
I frowned and turned back, ready to argue, but Julian was staring out over the side of the boat as if he hadn’t just acted like a jealous boyfriend. Dean dropped my hand and took a step back.
“Well then,” Dean said, holding out his arm to usher us farther onto his boat. “Let the festivities begin.”