Bayside Opposites

by Stacy Claflin

  Nate tapped his fingers on the table as he stared out over the water. He wore a stained blue plaid shirt with the sleeves torn off. His rippling muscles indicated he was in great shape. Madisyn allowed her gaze to rest on his tanned mountainous arms. He had what looked like a Nordic symbol tattooed on one bicep.

  Something about him made her heart flutter. Maybe it was the fact that he wasn’t afraid of physical labor and dirt. Nate was the exact opposite of her father, who was always clean-cut and in the most expensive threads he could get his hands on. She couldn’t think of one time she’d seen him get anything dirty.

  Between Nate’s ponytail, his tattoo, his unshaven face, and working on a boat, it made her think of a pirate. Shivers ran down Madisyn’s spine. She’d always had a secret crush on a quirky and unpredictable pirate from the movies. Not that Nate looked like him. No, he was his own brand of delicious piratey goodness. And she couldn’t get enough of it. In fact, she preferred staring at him to the bay.

  She shook her head. Maybe the heat was getting to her. Nate wasn’t a pirate, and he probably had no interest in her. They were just two people from the same small town sharing a bottle of champagne.

  He turned to her. “Arr.”

  Madisyn nearly dropped her glass. “Wh-what?”

  “I said, are you okay in this heat?”

  Warmth crept into her cheeks. “Um, I… yeah. I can’t get enough of it. I love it when we get an early summer like this. I just hope I won’t be tired of it by the weekend. It wasn’t this warm up in Seattle.”

  “Is that where you live now?” Was that disappointment in his expression? Or did Madisyn just want to see that?

  She cleared her throat. “No, I just moved back after graduating college.”

  “Oh, did you go to the University of Washington? Go Huskies.”

  Madisyn smiled. “No, I went to Seattle Pacific University. Just like my mom. It’s a small private school without a football team. Where’d you go?”

  He shifted in the seat. “I didn’t. Not unless you count the school of hard knocks.”

  Nate held her gaze, almost as if waiting for her reaction. She smiled, and he grinned, lighting up his entire face. The man was twice as gorgeous when he smiled.

  Her heart skipped a beat. It took her a moment to find her voice. “The school of hard knocks counts.”

  Nate held up his drink. “To being done with school.”

  Madisyn tapped her flute against his. “Cheers to that.”

  They sipped the champagne and Nate held her gaze. His deep brown eyes had speckles of emerald throughout—they were completely mesmerizing. Madisyn could get lost in them for hours.

  “So, what did you study?” Nate asked, bringing Madisyn’s mind back to the yacht.

  She sipped her champagne, giving herself a moment to recover from the trance. “I double-majored in business and fashion.”

  His gorgeous eyes widened. “Business and fashion? I thought you were going to say finance.” The corners of his mouth twitched.

  Madisyn held back a sigh. “Dad insisted on business, and I’ve always loved fashion. They don’t go together, but it gives me options.”

  Nate nodded, looking both impressed and amused. “You said you got two degrees in five years?”

  “Yeah. I was busy.” And distracted. The last thing she had wanted was to have any spare moments to think about the tragic event that had happened in her freshman year which she wanted to forget more than anything. “What about you? What have you been doing with yourself?”

  Nate pulled some loose hair behind his ear and twisted his mouth. “This and that. More of that than this, though.”

  Madisyn smiled, but judging by the intensity in his expression, he probably had his own heartache he was avoiding. He held her gaze with those stunning eyes again.

  Her phone rang, pulling her from the moment. By the time she dug it out of her bag, it had stopped ringing.

  “Important call?” Nate asked.

  Madisyn shook her head. “Just my dad.”

  A text came through—from Dad, of course.

  Meet Mom at the hair salon in an hour.

  She groaned. Mom’s favorite salon was a half hour away. She’d have to leave right then to drop Lilly back off at the house and make it to the stylist’s in time.

  “Bad news?” Nate asked.

  It was, if she wanted to spend more time with Nate. And she did. But there was no getting out of it now that Dad had spoken.

  Madisyn texted him OK and then admired the gorgeous almost-pirate, not wanting to leave. “I have to head back home. Maybe I’ll see you around town?”

  He nodded. “I’m staying on my uncle’s boat.”

  He was staying in town! She managed to keep her joy hidden. “Really? Well, I’ll be back to the yacht real soon. Maybe we’ll run into each other again.” Please say yes.

  “I’d like that.” He finished off his drink. “What should I do with the glass?”

  She set hers on the table. “It’s fine here. Like I said, Dad has people.” Madisyn cringed. That probably made her sound like such a snob. The last thing she wanted him to think was that she was anything like Clyde Steele.

  Nate held out his hand. “It was nice to run into you, Madisyn. Thanks for the bubbly.”

  She put her hand in his, which engulfed hers as he shook it.

  He grinned, making Madisyn’s pulse race. That smile was going to melt her into a puddle if she wasn’t careful.

  Four

  Nate held his breath as Madisyn and her dog walked down the boardwalk toward the beach. She was a sight for sore eyes—and his eyes were certainly sore. He felt refreshed, though he couldn’t pinpoint why. Maybe it was the alcohol, though he’d only had the one glass. It could be because he’d just had the most normal conversation in a long time, and with a beautiful woman. That was probably it.

  Madisyn made it to the parking lot and disappeared from sight.

  Nate drew in a deep breath of the fresh air and headed back to Uncle Ray’s boat. It looked even more like a trash heap than before after being on the yacht. He scratched his head. What had made Madisyn invite him from that boat to her family’s? Well, it didn’t matter. They probably wouldn’t see each other again. He wasn’t planning on staying on the boat too much longer, and he was definitely going to avoid Enchantment Bay as much as possible. He’d probably drive to the next town over to buy food just so he wouldn’t risk running into anyone in town.

  He climbed onto the boat and thought back to the home he’d grown up in… The streets he’d played on as a kid. School. The sports teams, choir performances, and concerts on the beach. It had all been nice, but it had been a lifetime ago. That, and he wasn’t the choirboy anymore. Nobody would know what to make of him, and he wouldn’t know what to do with them, either.

  Nate’s parents, still active churchgoers as far as he knew, had long since given up on him returning. For years, his mom would call and ask when he was coming home. But now it was to the point that she didn’t even call to see if he was coming for Christmas.

  Guilt should have stung at him for breaking her heart, but he’d long since grown too hard to care. It had hurt too much, and he didn’t want any more of that. In fact, he wasn’t sure what he wanted from life. But it sure wasn’t guilt or heartache.

  He leaned against the railing and stared at the bay. What did he want, now that he'd walked away from his life of moving questionable packages, the contents of which he never questioned? He’d spent most of the last eight years making a living off illegal activity. How was he supposed to start over? He would never make close to the wages he was used to with an honest living.

  Sighing, he went down to the living quarters and flung open the cabinets. They were still empty. His stomach growled, but there wasn’t much he could do. The champagne he’d shared with Madisyn would have to hold him over until he could get a couple dollars.

  He needed to find a job, and quick. There had to be something he could do for a dec
ent wage. But what?

  Nate went to the bed and closed his eyes, trying to simultaneously think of something and push aside his hunger. He couldn’t do either.

  His phone rang. For a moment he hoped it was Madisyn, but then he remembered they hadn’t exchanged numbers. It was Vinny. He accepted the call. “I told you I’m not—”

  “You’re the only one, Nate. I don’t got anyone else in the area. Three times the regular rate. That’s the best I can do. When have you ever made that much from a job?”

  Three times the normal pay? Nate’s stomach growled.

  What was one more job while he figured out how to turn his life around? At least he would make enough to feed himself while he found work. He sighed dramatically. “Fine. I’ll do it.”

  “I knew it!”

  “But seriously, this is the last time.”

  “Sure, sure. I’ll text you the pick-up and drop-off addresses. Be sure to hurry.”

  “You know me.” Nate sat up, ended the call, and tightened his ponytail. This was definitely going to be his last time. No more transporting illegal contraband. He was done—just as soon as he got something in his stomach. Nate’s mouth watered at the thought. But first he had to make the delivery.

  The text came in and Nate glanced at the two addresses. The first one was maybe ten minutes away and the second, as promised, was all the way in Portland. At least he should have enough gas to get him there before he received the payment. Nate might be driving on fumes near the end, but he’d make it. He hoped.

  He headed out to his old dented black pickup and checked to make sure the truck bed cover was locked tight before hopping in the driver’s seat and starting the engine. It roared to life and then backfired.

  Several beachgoers turned to stare at him.

  Nate waved and then headed out for his last delivery.

  Five

  Madisyn studied her reflection in the bathroom mirror at Roosevelt’s, one of the fanciest restaurants in Enchantment Bay. She hadn’t wanted to have her hair styled, but her mother had insisted, so she’d had the stylist trim the ends and give her barely-noticeable highlights.

  Her mom came out of a stall, washed her hands, and then dabbed on some lip gloss. “Are you ready to make an impression? Dad’s really relying on you to hit it off with Reese.”

  Madisyn let out a long, drawn-out sigh. “I just graduated, and I need to focus on figuring out what I want to do with my life. This isn’t the time for a relationship.”

  “Dad feels otherwise.” She pursed her lips and stepped back. “Let’s enjoy our meal.”

  “Right.” It was too bad Madisyn didn’t have another option other than staying with her parents until she got onto her own two feet.

  Mom squeezed her shoulder. “Think of it this way—if you marry Reese, you won’t have to work a day in your life.”

  Madisyn stared at her mom, her eyes growing wider by the second. “Marriage? Who said anything about marriage? I just told you I’m not ready for a relationship. Marriage is out of the question. Do you think I got a double degree for the fun of it? I spent all my time buried in books while everyone around me was off hiking and playing Frisbee. Seriously.”

  “Calm down, sweetie. You know Dad wants our two families united.”

  Madisyn bit her tongue. She would get through the dinner and then focus on finding a job that would pay enough to get her out of the house. She didn’t need anything fancy—she was used to on-campus apartments that she had to share with three other girls. And two of them never picked up after themselves. Her standards had really dropped over the last five years.

  “Just give Reese a chance.” Mom pleaded with her eyes.

  “Okay. For you.”

  She smiled and kissed Madisyn on the cheek. “Thank you, sweetie. Have I told you how great it is to have you back?”

  “I’m glad to see you again.” It was the best she could do. She did love her parents, but she hated all the expectations that came with being Clyde Steele’s daughter. When would somebody care about what she wanted?

  “Oh, wait honey. Let me fix your lipstick.”

  Madisyn opened her mouth to protest, but before she could say anything, Mom had whipped out her lipstick and ran it across Madisyn’s lips.

  “Perfect.” Mom smiled. “Let’s go.”

  She was twenty-three but may as well have been twelve.

  As they followed the greeter to the table, Madisyn caught a glimpse of her reflection in a picture frame. The lipstick was hideously bright red. At least it would come off as soon as she ate something.

  Dad rose and pulled out the chair next to him for Mom. Reese rose and made the same gesture for Madisyn. He smiled widely, showing off perfectly straight, too-white teeth. They seemed to glow against his deeply tanned skin. He looked practically the same as she remembered—only about five years older. Still muscular and handsome, and probably just as full of himself. If not more, given his new position in the firm.

  “You look beautiful, as always.” He continued grinning at her.

  “Thank you.” Madisyn forced a smile and sat as Reese scooted her chair in. She took a deep breath as he sat next to her. It was going to be one long night.

  Reese handed her a menu. “I already ordered you the best house wine.”

  Dad wrinkled his forehead and drew his brows together—his signature expression reminding her to behave.

  Madisyn didn’t want anyone ordering for her, but she smiled at Reese anyway. “That was thoughtful. Thank you.”

  He adjusted the collar of his light-blue silk shirt. “My pleasure. So, how have you been? It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you. You went to school in Seattle, right?”

  “My Alma Mater.” Mom grinned proudly. “Madisyn got a double degree in only five years. Isn’t she a hard worker? Such a go-getter.”

  “Most certainly.” Reese turned to Madisyn and held her gaze. “What are the degrees in?”

  “Business and fashion.”

  “No law?”

  Madisyn shook her head and glanced down at the menu, even though she already knew what she wanted.

  “What can you do with fashion?” Reese asked, his tone mocking.

  She nearly laughed at the absurdity of the question. “There’s as much money in it as there is in law. People always need clothes, and they want them to be stylish. I can design, be a personal stylist—the possibilities are endless, especially with my business degree.”

  Reese scratched his smooth chin, straightened his back, and puffed out his chest, the thin shirt showing off his athletic physique as it clung to him. “What do you think about my style?”

  Madisyn cleared her throat and tried not to stare. He could be a model and certainly knew it. But his personality took away from any attractiveness he had. “I’m guessing you already have a personal stylist.”

  He laughed. Of course he had one—just like both of their fathers. Reese was following in his father’s footsteps, eager to become partner someday with the other two men at the table. She took a deep breath and tried not to think about the next couple hours—it would take all her resolve to get through just the next few minutes. But then after dinner, she could go home and climb into her soft, comfortable bed and forget about the dinner.

  The servers brought a variety of appetizers, taking everyone’s attention off Madisyn and Reese. One of the servers had his long hair pulled back into a ponytail. It reminded Madisyn of Nate and their conversation earlier. What she wouldn’t give to return to the yacht with him and stare into those gorgeous brown-and-emerald eyes. She would even be happy to climb aboard the dilapidated boat he was restoring to listen to him rather than be dining at Roosevelt's with her parents and the Rutherfords. Anywhere with Nate would beat this by a mile.

  Why was she thinking about him? Madisyn didn’t want anything to do with a relationship—not even with someone down-to-earth who reminded her of her favorite fictional pirate. She just needed to busy herself with figuring out what to do with her l
ife. Anything to keep her mind occupied.

  Reese leaned back in his chair and told a story about winning a case for a client. She strained to smile as both the fathers gave him verbal pats on the back and shared stories of their own. Madisyn’s mind wandered as she pretended to look through the menu. Her thoughts again drifted to that awful day near the end of her freshman year—the day she tried so hard to forget. That was the main reason for her double major. She wanted to keep her mind so busy with studies that there was no room left to think about anything else.

  It had worked then, but now what? Being back home, she had nothing other than time.

  Would what happened haunt her forever?

  Six

  Nate’s stomach rumbled. The drop-off had gone without a hitch and now he didn’t want to wait a moment longer to grab some food. His stomach would likely eat itself before he made it to his makeshift home.

  He pressed a button on his GPS unit. “Restaurants close by.”

  It listed several, including Roosevelt's. His buddy had left the dubious life Nate was trying to leave to work there. As far as Nate knew, Taylor hadn’t made a delivery in close to six months. That was probably why Vinny hadn’t called Taylor after Nate said no.

  Maybe Taylor could get Nate a meal boxed up and ready to go. He could stop in and not have to worry about running into his family or friends. None of them ever ate at Roosevelt’s. Not with those prices.

  Nate could also get a feel for the atmosphere. Maybe he would consider working there if it was decent and he could make himself presentable enough for an interview. But for the time being, he just wanted a meal.

  He followed the GPS directions to the restaurant and as soon as he pulled in, he regretted the decision. Every other car in the lot was expensive. Especially the ones in the valet side of the lot. His beater truck stuck out even worse than usual. But he was famished and wasn’t going to find another place to eat. He was already here.