“Not much I forgot, Firefly.”
My breath caught, heart stuttering in my chest at the quiet honesty in those words. There was no teasing, no armor, just a truth so simple it knocked me off balance.
I shifted my weight to one foot, my grip on the plate tightening. This was dangerous territory — memories like this one were booby-trapped. One wrong step, and the explosion would take us both out.
But instead of poking at it, instead of demanding more or asking him why the hell he’d made these for me after everything that happened, I just nodded.
Apology accepted.
“See you at the preference sheet meeting later?” I asked, my voice lighter than I felt.
This time, Finn’s smile fully broke free, and my stomach flipped at the sight of it. “Let’s just hope these guests don’t want anything high vibrational.”
I snorted, shaking my head as I turned to leave. “Careful, Cheffy. Keep talking like that and you might make me like you again.”
“Wouldn’t want that now, would we?” he tossed back, but his voice was softer than his words.
I escaped before I could get caught up in whatever was hanging between us. That smile, that easy banter… it was confirmation that I’d been right in my assumption about the breakfast being a peace offering. And I’d accepted it.
I had no idea what would happen next.
But I’d never tasted pancakes so sweet.
I ambled into the crew mess later that morning to find Captain Gary housing a handful of Galatine candies.
I cocked a brow. “Breakfast of champions?”
He blinked at me mid-chew, the corners of his mouth stretched with guilt and sugar. “They’re milk-based. Practically health food.”
“Uh-huh. And I suppose the bottle of limoncello in the fridge is just fermented citrus juice?”
“I’m boosting my calcium intake,” he argued, popping another tablet in his mouth like he was doing his bones a favor.“You should be thanking me. I’m trying to avoid breaking a hip on this charter.”
“You’re more likely to choke on one of these than fall on deck,” I said, plucking the candy bag from his hand and holding it just out of reach.
He narrowed his eyes at me, but I could tell he was fighting a smile. “Give those back, Chief Bossy Pants, and no one gets hurt.”
“I outrank you when it comes to snack management.”
“God help me,” he muttered, folding his arms as he leaned back in his seat. “You were less insufferable when you were a second stew.”
“I had less power then. Now I wield it like a saber.”
That earned a laugh, and he shook his head, his expression softening as he watched me take the seat across from him. I set the candy bag on the table but didn’t slide it back.
Then, just as I was about to make another snarky remark, Captain leaned forward, his eyes sincere.
“All jokes aside, I see what you’re doing on this boat, Em.” He arched a brow, making sure I was listening before he continued. “You’ve got a strong team, happy guests, a clean ship, and even with cameras in your face and a contractual agreement to go out every night between charters, you’ve handled yourself like a pro. I’m proud of you.”
The breath caught in my throat, my chest blooming with something warm and tight. It was the words I’d always wanted to hear from my father but knew I likely never would.
Hearing them now — here, from Captain Gary, who had taught me more about being a leader than anyone else — meant more than I could voice without breaking down.
A slow, stunned kind of smile spread over my face. “Thanks, Cap.”
He winked. “Don’t let it go to your head.”
“As long as you try not to letthesego to your gut,” I challenged, sliding the bag of candy toward him with a grin.