Hellos and other greetings came his and Holly’s way.
“Permission to come aboard,” Paul said, looking at Zach.
“Permission granted.”
Paul helped Holly step onto the deck. “Careful, it can be slippery.”
“Thank you.” Holly let go of his hand once she was aboard and immediately walked to Sabrina to hug her. “Hey, sweetie.”
Paul turned to his friends, addressing nobody in particular. “Where are Xavier and Michael? Are they not coming?”
While Jay still looked in Holly’s direction, Hunter answered, “They both had work stuff come up. They won’t be arriving in the Hamptons for another two or three days.”
“Bummer,” Paul said absentmindedly as he watched Jay approach Holly.
“Nice to see you again, Holly!” Jay said, and pulled her into a hug.
“It’s been a while,” Holly admitted.
Paul felt his jaw clench involuntarily. Was Jay trying to encroach on his territory? Trying to calm himself, Paul looked away and caught Daniel staring at him. He held his gaze for a few moments, making it clear to his friend that he wasn’t ashamed of what he was doing. It was Daniel who broke eye contact and then put his arm around his wife.
“Baby, shall I get you and Holly something to drink?” Daniel asked.
Paul turned away and walked to where Zach was continuing to untie the mainsail. “Can I give you a hand?”
Zach motioned to the headsail. “Given that Jay has abandoned me to flirt with your girlfriend, maybe you wanna finish what he started.”
“Sure.” Paul approached the jib and went to work.
“She’s even prettier than I remember,” Zach said, his voice low enough that the others in the stern of the boat wouldn’t be able to hear him.
Pride swelled in Paul’s chest. Zach was right. Holly was a stunner. He’d never seen a more beautiful woman. “She is.”
“You’re one lucky son of a bitch.”
He knew he wasn’t, because Holly wasn’t his. But he couldn’t admit that, either to his friends, or to himself. In his mind, at least for this week, she was his girlfriend. Even though she wouldn’t warm his bed. At least he could touch her occasionally, even if it was only to hold her hand.
All of a sudden, he couldn’t wait until his parents finally arrived. Then he could steal a kiss or two from her to convince his parents that they were intimate.
“Why so solemn?” Zach suddenly asked.
“Nothing. Just dreading that stupid anniversary event for my parents. It’s going to be a zoo,” he deflected.
Zach slapped him on the shoulder. “No worries. The guys and I will be there to take the heat off you.” His friend winked. “And if need be, we’ll rope Xavier in to flirt with your mother. He won’t mind.”
The thought of anybody having to flirt with his mother gave him the creeps. “I would never to do that to a friend. Besides, I’ve got Holly to take the heat off me. This will be one party where my mother won’t be able to stick me with an eligible bachelorette of her choosing.”
Zach laughed. “If you say so. But knowing your mother, she’ll have more up her sleeve. She won’t give up so easily.”
“But she won’t win.” Paul untied the last tie. “So, shall we get this boat out on the water and have some fun?”
“Sounds like a plan.”
He followed Zach to the stern, where the area was framed by benches on the port and starboard sides and the helm at the end. A speedboat raced past them and its wake hit the side of the boat, making it rock.
Used to being on a boat, Paul compensated for the movement, but Holly, who was still chatting with Jay, swayed backward. He was behind her in an instant, catching her before she could fall.
“Careful, baby,” he said, the term of endearment slipping out before he could stop himself. Well, if he was lucky, Holly would think he’d used it for the benefit of his friends.
She turned her head to him and smiled. “Thank you, Paul.”
Was she smiling because she was truly grateful, or was she putting on an act for his friends, to pretend they were a new couple in love?
He kept his arm around her waist. “Anytime. I guess you’ll have to grow some sea legs first, huh?”
Jay chuckled. “Don’t listen to him, Holly! Your legs are fine the way they are.”
Paul tossed him a glare, annoyed about his obvious come-on.
His friend rolled his eyes, then winked at Holly and leaned in. “Watch out for this guy. I think he’s got a possessive streak.” Then Jay turned to Hunter. “Hey, where’s that beer you were going to bring me from the galley?”