Diving In

Chapter 2-1

Chapter 2

Wade

“Sit!”

Two dog butts plonked onto the bow of my houseboat. Neptune, the Newfoundland, just yawned and laid his huge head on his paws, knowing the routine by now. Greg, the Schipperke, on the other hand, let out a disappointed whine, and I could have sworn he pouted his lower lip.

I groaned and rubbed my eyes. No anthropomorphizing the dogs, Wade!

Coffee. I needed coffee.

I tried to look my sternest when I turned to Greg, the David to Neptune’s Goliath. “Do we have to have this discussion every morning, boy?”

He lowered his snout as though I had scolded him, and I sighed, overcome with guilt. “Just…be a good boy for Daddy, and I promise you can have a treat when I get back.”

Greg’s ears perked up at the word “treat” and he whined again before he surrendered and lay next to his now-sleeping friend, his tiny, black, fox-like head on Neptune’s giant paw.

I smiled and gave them each a pat on the head before I jumped off the boat onto the dock. “See you soon,” I called over my shoulder, then jogged along the path leading from the lake to the main building and our morning meeting.

The windows were open, and the smell of freshly made coffee lured me in like a siren song. I followed my nose inside, and as soon as I stepped over the threshold, Everett held out a giant cup of the heavenly brew. I plucked it from his fingers with a grateful grunt.

Ev chuckled. “You’re lucky I’m fluent in Wade so I know that charming grunt means ‘Thank you, best Everett in the whole wide world.’ Amirite?”

I managed a smile and a second—more appreciative—grunt and proceeded to devour my coffee as though it was the first drink of water I’d had after spending two weeks in the desert.

Ev threw back his head and laughed. Ugh. It was too early for this much cheerfulness.

After I drained my cup, it took only two seconds before Ev refilled it.

I looked up at the best Everett in the whole wide world. “Love you, Ev.”

His face split in a smile bright enough to rival the early morning sun. “I know, boo.”

“Love the tiara.” Only he could pull off wearing such a garish thing. But it somehow suited his personality.

“Told you I’d wear it.”

“Didn’t doubt it for a second, princess.” I sat in my regular spot and leaned back, stretching my legs under the table. The other guys trickled in, Drew took his place next to Ev, and Jackson at the head of the table.

My belly filled with warmth and satisfaction. I smiled at them.

“What the…?” Liam said as he entered. “Wade is smiling!”

“It’s his second cup.” Ev tipped his head in the direction of the treasure I carefully cradled in my palms.

“That explains it.” Liam threw himself down next to me. “I’m about to make your morning even better.”

“Not possible.”

He smirked and put a huge plastic container on the table. “Open it.”

Reluctantly, I let go of my mug and pulled off the lid.

And blinked.

“Austin made them just for you.”

“But they’re…” I grabbed one of the still-warm cinnamon rolls and inhaled. I shivered when the scent reminded me of childhood summers spent in my grandmother’s kitchen while she baked and sang songs in Swedish. “They’re just like mormor Elsa’s.” The rolls were generously sprinkled with nib sugar, and floodgates opened in my mouth.

“Yeah. Austin found those weird sugars you crazy Swedes like on your cinnamon rolls in an online store. I’ve never understood what you’ve got against frosting.”

“Shut up,” I grumbled, then took a huge bite. A lewd moan escaped me as the sweetness and spiciness exploded on my tongue. “Oh, God, I’m gonna marry Austin.” I gulped down the rest of the pastry in two bites.

“Sorry man, he’s taken,” Liam said.

“Yeah, yeah. But if you ever break up with him, I want custody of him, not you.” I snagged another before the rest of the vultures descended on the sweets.

Liam stuck out his lower lip and made it tremble. “I’m hurt.” He took one of the rolls and started to scrape off the pearly sugars, and I threw him an offended glance.

“Crazy Americans,” I muttered.

“Crazy Swedes,” he retorted.

We both burst out laughing.

“All right. Everyone ready?” Jackson asked.

I nodded. This was shaping up to be the best morning ever.