Can I kiss you? Clare smiled. That is a surprisingly responsible question from a man who tried to take my helm. I'm learning. She leaned closer slowly.
He kissed her. It was brief at first, almost cautious. Then Clare caught the front of his wet jacket and kissed him again. When they pulled apart, Evan looked toward the cabin. Clare followed his eyes.
If that kettle whistles, I'm throwing it overboard. That would be destruction of my property, my boat. He laughed. On Monday morning, Clare accepted the job. She told Evan before she told Daniel, Ruth, or anyone else who had somehow become emotionally invested in their business.
When do you leave? 3 weeks. He nodded. Clare watched him carefully. That's it?
What were you expecting? A speech? I don't have one. Very disappointing. Evan took her hand.
I don't want you to stay because leaving makes this harder. Clare's expression softened. And I don't want you coming with me because staying makes you feel guilty. Good. I have a kitchen renovation starting Tuesday.
Romance is alive. Barely. 3 weeks later, Evan drove her to the airport. They did not make promises about forever. They made practical ones.
Call when you can. Say when something is wrong. No pretending time zones are a personality flaw. The first month was ugly in small ordinary ways. Clare called from a motel outside Mterrey while Evan was still at a job site.
Sawdust in his hair and a pencil behind one ear. You look distinguished. I look like insulation. That too. Another night, Evan waited on his couch for a video call and woke at 2:00 in the morning with his phone on his chest.
Clare had left a message. Very romantic. 10 out of 10. Strong breathing performance. He called the next morning.
You could have woken me. I tried. How? I said your name. That seems insufficient.
I also texted. My phone was on my chest. Then you were physically closer to my message than most people. Some weeks were harder. Clare missed one planned weekend home when a shoot moved north unexpectedly.
Evan said he understood. He did. He was still disappointed. This time he told her. She did not try to fix it.
She just said, "I know. I am too." That helped more than either expected. Blue Haron stayed in Annapolis. Evan checked on her every Saturday.
The first time Clare called while he was polishing the rail, she smiled through the screen. You finally got my boat. Temporary custody. You sound attached. She has behavioral problems.
She learned from you. Clare sent him photographs from harbors up and down the coast. In one, a sleek sailboat crossed behind her at sunset. Evan enlarged the image. Clare waited.
You're going to say something romantic, aren't you? That main sail is reefed badly. She stared at him. I sent you a Pacific sunset. I saw it.
And excellent visibility. She hung up. He called back laughing. Two months became three, three became five. They learned that long distance was mostly logistics interrupted by affection.