Finding Haven by T.A. Foster Page A

she felt nervous and as if she had just had a few sips
     of wine. She wanted him to do it again.
    “That’s not what I mean. I know how to have a good time, but living on an island,
     you see the same people over again, have the same conversations, hear the same news.
     I miss the interesting people. The ones I haven’t known my whole life.”
    “Would you consider a writer an interesting person?” His voice was serious, but laced
     with so much flirtation.
    He was bold. It didn’t take much interaction with him to know he was a professional
     flirt, but she couldn’t help but like it. He was good at it.
    “Maybe. Depends on the writing.” It didn’t hurt to flirt a little. Her back was turned,
     but she heard him laugh. It made her grin.
    “I see.” He lifted the kayak next to her. “I’m from a small town too. It’s not all
     that bad. There’s something to be said for people knowing who you really are.”
    “Right. Like knowing when you sneak out of your parents’ house when you’re twelve,
     or everyone knowing you made straight As on your report card, or did you like the
     part about people giving you advice on what you should do with your life?”
    She tightened the loops of the straps and made sure the kayaks wouldn’t fall over
     when they stepped away.
    “Agreed. That part of small town life is rough, but it’s home. You can travel the
     world and live in twenty different cities, but deep down, there is only one home.
     You’ve got to love this place.” She knew the answer he was expecting to hear from
     her. It would be too complicated to tell him how much she loved the island, but at
     the same time how much they needed a break from each other. Perry was stifling her.
    “I do. I will always love it, but that doesn’t mean I have to stay.” This conversation
     had suddenly turned more serious than she wanted. The more Jay talked, the more she
     kept revealing. It was already a bad habit.
    “I get it. Sometimes you have to leave home for a while to realize it’s the place
     you’re really supposed to be.” His hand gripped the kayak even though she had already
     secured it. It was as if he needed the extra balance.
    “Speaking from experience?” she asked, wondering what had made him so pensive. All
     day he had been nothing but smiles.
    “You could say that. I just miss home some days more than others.” He stepped back
     from the row of boats and adjusted his sunglasses.
    Haven knew there was truth in what he said. She liked to remember her college days
     as the perfect escape from the island, but there were times when she missed the ocean
     sounds and the friendly faces of home. Wherever Jay was from must be calling to him
     right now.
    She tried to run her hands through her hair, but the creek water had tangled it. “Well,
     thanks, Jay, for everything today.”
    “Everything?”
    “Yeah, taking the job. You really bailed me out this morning.” The encounter with
     her father and Travis turning in his notice seemed like it was days ago. What were
     the chances she would be able to fill the position so quickly? “But, I need to change
     out of these clothes, and you might want to put on a shirt.” It was hard to talk to
     him while he stood dripping, shirtless, and all of a sudden looking incredibly edible.
    He looked at his shorts and laughed. “Maybe not a bad idea. So, what time do I need
     to be here in the morning? Is it really five thirty?”
    Finally, someone who recognized five thirty was the most ridiculous time to go to
     work. “Yes, sorry about that part. The fishermen are in early. They like to get their
     coffee and donuts.”
    He slung his shirt over his shoulder. “All right. I’ll see you in the morning.” He
     turned and started walking toward the parking lot.
    “Jay! Wait.” The words were out before she could take them back.
    “Yeah?” He looked as confused as she felt.
    “Since you’re new and everything, would you want to get something to