She paused, taking me in, seeing that hint of desperation on my face that I knew was there. “This view you’re so determined for me to see, it isn’t dangerous, is it? You’re not trying to make me go skydiving, are you?”

“No throwing yourself out of a plane. I promise.”

Kenna sighed but pushed to her feet. “Fine. Give me ten minutes.” She started towards the door and then stopped, turning to level her scary stare on me. “Don’t touch anything.”

I held up both hands. “I’ll be on my best behavior.”

She rolled her eyes heavenward. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

17

Kenna

I wobbled slightly as I carried the paddleboard out towards the water. Muttering a curse, I straightened my stance and tightened my ab muscles so I didn’t topple over.

“I told you I would carry it for you,” Crosby said as he maneuvered his board effortlessly.

“And I said I could do it.”

“I know you can, but I’m just trying to prevent you from being pissed at me when you trip and skin a knee or sprain an ankle.”

I narrowed my eyes in his direction and then almost fell on my butt. I paused, took a deep breath, and got a better hold of the death contraption under my arm. “Where did you find me one of these last-minute, anyway?”

“I bought it for you at Island Sports.”

I stood dumbfounded and just stared at Crosby. I’d been in the shop on more than one occasion, and knew that these boards could cost as much as three thousand dollars. “Are you insane? Has the Guinness finally pickled your brain?”

Crosby stopped, turning to face me. “What?”

“The boards in that shop are ridiculously expensive. We’re going to return this right now. I haven’t used it yet. They’ll take it back.”

“I threw out the receipt.”

“I’m sure they’ll remember you, it’s not like you bought it weeks ago.”

Crosby set his board on the sand and crossed to me. “I’m not returning the paddleboard. It’s a gift. A little something to celebrate your new adventurous life.”

My lips pressed together in a firm line. “It’s too much.”

“Brown Eyes, I’m not exactly hurting for cash. It’s no big thing.”

The words, thrown out so casually, were like a series of bombs detonating in the waters I was desperately trying to keep calm. It felt too familiar, the ease with which he tossed his money around. “Just because you’re fortunate, doesn’t mean you should be frivolous.”

“Kenna, what’s going on? This is more than your usual shade of prickly.”

“Nothing’s going on.” I started walking. “Are we going to do this or what?” I carried my board to the edge of the water, placing it carefully on the wet sand. The paddle was taller than I was.