His confidence warms me more than the coffee. My crew takes pride in the work we’ve done.
“That’s right,” I say, passing Jared his lunch bag as he rounds the truck. “When.”
Kyle waves from the water taxi, his scally cap pulled down to block out the sun. “Morning, folks! Ready to set sail across the ocean blue?”
Jared jogs over to help his cousin, stowing his lunch at the front of the boat. The rest of us file onto the dock, our boots thudding on the wooden planks. The water taxi gleams in the morning light with a fresh coat of paint, spruced up for the resort’s grand opening.
“Permission to come aboard, Captain?” I call to Kyle.
He gives me an exaggerated salute. “Permission granted, Madam Superintendent.”
The crew files onto the boat, finding seats along the benches in the undercover area. I settle in the middle, my regular spot where I can see everyone.
Clint drops down beside me, his tool belt jingling. “Fifty bucks says the inspector tries to find something wrong and comes up empty.”
“I’m not taking a losing bet,” I reply.
Tim leans forward from the bench behind us. “What about my doors? Anyone want to bet against my leveling abilities?”
“No takers here,” says Tomas, our youngest crew member. “Em confirmed everything was plumb.”
I shake my head, hiding my amusement behind my thermos. “You all know gambling on inspection results is bad luck, right?”
What is with everyone inviting superstition today?
Clint scoffs. “Not when it’s a sure thing. We’re gonna pass with flying colors, take our promised two weeks off, and come back rested for Phase Two.”
“Two whole weeks,” Tim sighs with theatrical longing. “I’m going to sleep for the first two days straight.”
“I’m taking my kid camping,” Tomas says. “He’s been begging since summer.”
“What about you, boss?” Clint asks. “Any plans for your time off?”
Before I can answer, a new figure appears on the dock, and the energy in the water taxi shifts. Tall, broad-shouldered, with mauve-brown hair catching the morning light, Leif Hollis walks toward us with measured steps.
My chest tightens at the sight of him. The Omega nanny-tutor hired for the Wright Pack’s ward has only been on the island for a few months, but his presence disturbs something in me I thought long buried. Not because he’s an Omega, but because he carries himself with a cool self-assurance, as if he doesn’t need anyone.
Leif is the complete opposite of what Auren was, who always acted frail and in need of care, as if he might break at any second.
“Room for one more?” Leif asks Kyle, his periwinkle eyes scanning the boat.
Kyle gestures for him to board. “Always room for our resident scholar. What’s on Miss Quinn’s agenda for the day?”
“School prep,” Leif replies, stepping onto the water taxi with surprising grace for a man his size. “We have a whole list of supplies for her backpack next week.”
The bench across from me has an empty space, and Leif settles into it, greeting the crew members he knows.
When his gaze meets mine, he inclines his head. “Ms. Wilson.”
“Mr. Hollis.” My pulse quickens beneath my skin, a flush threatening to creep up my neck. I blame it on the coffee and the excitement of inspection day.
It definitely doesn’t have anything to do with the man sitting across from me.
I force my attention back to my crew. “As for time off, I’ll relax and catch up on some reading.”
Clint laughs. “Sure, you will. You’ll be planning Phase Two before the first day is out.”
“Hey, I know how to relax,” I say, though he’s not wrong. I want to hit the ground running as soon as vacation ends.