Sparks Fly

ever seen a boat this big was when I used to watch reruns of The Love Boat on TV as a kid. Is this really yours?”
    Angelina elbowed Krista and changed the subject. “I’d love to meet your friends.”
    Will breathed a sigh of relief. Was it possible that Angelina really didn’t care about his wealth at all? His inner voice mocked him instantly, saying, Yeah right. You think you’ve found a woman who doesn’t want a piece of your fame and fortune. If you believe that, I’ve got a used car I’d like to sell you.
    Will shook the voice out of his head. Leaving Krista to gape in amazement at her opulent surroundings, he placed Angelina’s arm in his and walked with her down the length of the boat.
    Angelina leaned close and whispered, “Sorry about that. Krista can be a little inappropriate sometimes.”
    Will shrugged and then introduced her to his friends. When Krista finally joined them, he had to make the introductions all over again, which gave Angelina a moment to settle back into her surroundings.
    Frankly, she was floored by the size of Will’s boat. It was moored at the longest spot on the dock, equivalent in size to two of the huge nearby yachts.
    Angelina wondered if he had actually earned it all or if it had been handed to him on a silver platter. Not that it mattered all that much, she reminded herself. He was just a client.
    She looked up from her musings just in time to witness sparks flying between Krista and Derek, one of Will’s friends, who was dressed very conservatively in khaki Dockers and a white button-down short-sleeved shirt with a pencil in the front pocket.
    How interesting, Angelina thought to herself. Krista usually had more chemistry with guys like James, Will’s other friend on board who was flashier, a quintessential playboy.
    When Krista perched next to James, Angelina thought disappointment flared in Derek’s eyes.
    For once, she hoped that the underdog would get the girl. She didn’t know why, but she had the feeling that this gentle man might be the missing link in her friend’s life.
    Was Will her missing link?
    The thought shocked her deeply and she sank down numbly into the deck chair behind her. He couldn’t be the one!
    Her one special man would not be the type to own a fifty-foot yacht. She had always pictured herself with someone undemanding and serene, a man with far less presence than Will. Plus, how could she forget that his ex-wife had hired her to get him back? For the hundredth time, Angelina rued the day she ever agreed to take on this consultation.
    “Right, Ang?” Krista said, and Angelina blinked in confusion. Fortunately, before she had to
    ’fess up to daydreaming, Krista said, “Oh look, we’re moving.”
    Will was getting ready to motor out of the marina, so Angelina jumped up out of her seat and tracked him down by the engine. “Do you need any help?”
    “Help me pull up the rubber fenders and we’ll be off.”
    Angelina scampered onto the dock to unhook the long white bumpers. Handing all ten up to Will, she mounted the steps back onto the open deck.
    “Keep an eye on the harbor traffic while I maneuver out, would you?”
    “Aye-aye, captain,” she said as she saluted him.
    They made their way out of the Marina with no problems and then Will cranked up the speed, jetting them under the Bay Bridge and out toward Angel Island. The water worked its magic, the delicious sensation of wind whipping past, the sun warming her skin.
    Will, who was steering from the flybridge up top, called down for her to join him. She carefully walked up the short metal ladder and came to stand beside him at the control panel.
    Keeping a watchful eye on the boat traffic surrounding them, he asked, “Are you having a good time?”
    “Oh yes. This is so much fun.”
    Nonetheless, she knew she should keep her manner as professional as possible. “When we drop anchor, why don’t we do some Feng Shui?”
    Will shook his head. “No way. It’s a beautiful day. Let’s have a little fun first.”
    What the heck. A little fun wouldn’t kill her. Grinning impishly at Will, she said, “All right, you win.” Pulling her hair out of the French braid, she let it blow in the breeze. She was intent on letting herself go with the flow for once.
    “Sailing past Fisherman’s Wharf, under the Bay Bridge, looking out towards the Golden Gate.
    It’s amazing. Have you always loved being out on the water?”
    Slipping on his sunglasses to fight the glare from the water,