Mail Order Sunset (Hawthorne Billionaire #4) - Farrah Lee Page 0,2

to, um, push anyone in the water. Are you sure that’s what happened?” Admiral asked on a light chuckle. “Jade, what happened?”

“I was reaching for the rope they were tossing out and he came out of nowhere, pushing past me.” I walked over to the back shelf and grabbed two towels. “Here, dry yourself off. You’re dripping everywhere.”

“Thanks, but I wouldn’t be dripping if you didn’t push me,” he laughed.

“You pushed me,” I said sternly. “The proof is your hat tangled to my hood, which was behind me. Hence, you pushed me.”

“You pushed me,” Mr. Hawthorne countered. “You didn’t want me to get the rope, so you pushed me out of the way.”

“You know I didn’t push you, Mr. Hawthorne. You just wanted to get the rope without waiting for me to answer you.” I crossed my arms. “Are we in agreement?”

“Well, maybe I exaggerated a little, but I did say I would get it,” Mr. Hawthorne shrugged, “and the name is Sawyer.”

“Mr. Hawthorne, we don’t seem to be able to agree here, so let’s move on.” I walked behind the counter. “Is the owner of that yacht a friend of yours, or do you go around randomly helping boats tie-off?”

“It’s my yacht. That’s why I was there. I was waiting on it.” Mr. Hawthorne laid the towel on the counter. “I’m docking here for the night before going to my island.”

“Are you the one that bought Sandpiper?” I asked.

“Yes, but I renamed it Cloud Nine.” Mr. Hawthorne smiled. “You get it? It’s my happy place — my cloud nine.”

“Oh, I do get it. Just about any island out here is someone’s cloud nine.” I tried for a smile. “Although, don’t be surprised if everyone still refers to it as Sandpiper.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. I have to get dried up now from my swim,” Mr. Hawthorne paused, “perhaps you should too.”

“Sound advice, Sawyer,” Admiral called out, laughing.

“Dad! You’re supposed to be on my side.”

Chapter 4

Sawyer

“I don’t wanna hear it, Asher,” I growled, entering the saloon of the yacht.

“Come on, Sawyer. Man, that was the best laugh I’ve had in days.” Asher handed me a drink. “She looked cute. Well, at least until you pushed her into the ocean.”

“I didn’t push her, she pushed me!” I shouted as I went down the hall to my stateroom.

“Did you get her phone number?” Asher called out. “You probably owe her at least a drink, if not a new outfit.”

“I’m going into town. You coming?” I asked Asher, walking back out.

”Why would you go into that little town?” Asher asked from a lounge chair.

“I need a few things and I feel like some live music. You coming or not?” I tossed the towel I was drying my hair with at him.

“Can’t you just send someone to get stuff?” Asher threw the towel to the ground. “I’m totally relaxed right now.”

“Stay here. I’m going.” I grabbed my cellphone and wallet. “The chef and the guys are coming too.”

“Oh, a party. Now that’s a different thing altogether.” Asher stood and stretched. “Maybe the cute blonde you pushed in the water will be there.”

“She pushed me, and I don’t care.” I jumped off the yacht onto the dock. “Hey, guys, sorry you had to wait.”

“No problem, sir, you couldn’t go all wet like that,” Marcus, my chef, smirked.

“It’s a good thing I love your food, Marcus,” I teased.

We headed down the street in the general direction of the little town. We could hear a band playing and I was feeling more relaxed already.

“You actually left me?” Asher called out, running to catch up. “You know it’s not a party without me.”

“Life is a party to you, Asher,” I chirped.

“And it isn’t to you?” Asher chirped back. “I didn’t just meet you, my cousin.”

“Let’s grab a table over by the bar. No, wait, there’s a bar outside. Let’s go out there.” I pointed to the tiki hut area outside. “I need one of these on the island.”

“Good idea. You could have a band come over each day,” Asher smiled. “Maybe the little blonde could bring the band over.”

“Enough already with the blonde.” I turned away to listen to the band that had just started again.

We all spent the next two hours drinking, playing darts, and, for some, dancing.

“I’m gonna go talk to the band to see if they’re interested.” I turned and slipped on a drink somebody had spilled on the floor.

“Better watch out, guys. Before you know it, Sawyer is going to say you pushed him,”