“With you? That probability is higher than it should be. I’m still not over you leaving that fine hookup simply because inspiration struck for your latest composition.”
“Eh. He wasn’t that hot. Kinda nasal. And the composition won four awards, which is more than I could say for his kissing.”
“And this level of picky is why you’re still—”
“Hey, look, we’re on base.” I could usually handle Sabrina’s teasing and give as good as I got, but I didn’t need to be reminded exactly how pathetic my love life was right before I went and rescued Derrick from his.
“Oh my gosh, the ships are huge.”
It was always fun watching a civilian see the big ships for the first time, and Sabrina’s face as the bus turned onto the road that rimmed the docks was no exception. Her wide eyes and slack jaw reminded me of my excitement as a kid, waiting for my dad or uncles to return and taking in all these ships the size of a small city. As always the docks were bustling with activity. Uniformed sailors were everywhere, dwarfed by the giant equipment like cranes and the boats themselves.
The community liaison personnel herded us carefully off the buses and into a cordoned-off waiting area where we had a great view of the Sound and the empty dock space where the submarine would moor. I scanned the crowd but didn’t see my parents. Maybe they were stuck in traffic. That would be helpful. I did, however, spot Derrick’s sleazy ex right near the front of the barricades, talking to one of the sailors working crowd control. Probably lining up his next hookup.
“Tell me I’m hotter than him,” I whispered to Sabrina after discreetly pointing him out. Normally I didn’t care at all what I looked like, and clothes were an afterthought at best, but today I wanted to look good in a way I wasn’t sure I ever had before. To that end, I’d let Sabrina mess with my hair before she picked out black skinny jeans, chunky belt, and a white pullover shirt with a subtle rib that made it hug my chest.
She gave me an exaggerated once-over. “Much. Lugging heavy instruments around Boston agreed with you.”
“I also discovered that unlike the horrors of PE class, weight rooms and cardio machines are excellent at focusing my brain for composing.”
“You undoubtedly miss all the cute gym bunnies trying to flirt with you because you’re debating C flat versus F sharp.” Sabrina shielded her eyes as she directed her gaze toward the water.
“Guilty.” I laughed right as a murmur went through the crowd.
“I see something!” a kid yelled.
I’d been here before, on the docks, waiting for a ship to appear on the horizon, but even so I couldn’t help the tremor of excitement that raced through me too. The energy was contagious, and few sights were as impressive as a naval submarine arriving in port. Sailors with life jackets over their gleaming white dress uniforms stood up top, waving. More stood up in the crow’s nest where a giant American flag hung. Not a single person wavered as the ship moved toward us, their footing way surer than mine would have been. The boat churned through the water as smaller ships, the size of fishing boats or small ferries, moved into position to help guide it into the bay and assist with the disembarking sailors.
Even as the ship docked, the sailors were too far away for me to spot either Derrick or Calder. One of the uniformed liaison personnel directed three young women holding tiny babies to step forward as tradition said that any new fathers would be among the first off the boat. Derrick’s ex also got called to the front. Ugh. He was attractive with bleached-blond hair and chiseled features along with a slim body that would have been at home on any swim team, but his entitled attitude ruined any appeal for me.
The crowd whooped and hollered as a brash young lieutenant was first off the boat and gave him a very showy kiss. Lots of cameras flashed and clicked. Bletch.
“I’d bet my new eye shadow palette that they’re broken up by next week,” Sabrina whispered. “Think you can beat that?”
“Oh yeah. That looked fake, even to me,” I agreed even as my pulse sped up.
Three teary enlisted men were next, greeting the women with babies as cameras clicked, and the crowd cheered again. Then more sailors were released and the crowd became increasingly disorganized as people jostled to greet them. I still didn’t see Calder or Derrick, but then the crowd parted slightly and familiar broad shoulders and hazel eyes moved into view.
Damn. How had I forgotten how swoon-worthy Derrick was? My stomach wobbled as my racing pulse reached Indy-500 levels.