is Simone from Masters, Dillon and Cooper.”
Kennedy’s eyes widened. Her heart leaped into her throat and then immediately dropped to her toes.
This was the phone call she’d been waiting weeks to receive.
Pushing to her feet, she cut Asher a quick glance and then walked away. She really didn’t want him to hear her side of this conversation.
Crossing to the other side of the busy terminal, Kennedy tried to find a quiet corner.
“Hi, Simone. It’s great to hear from you. I’m sorry about the noise, but I’m at the airport waiting to board a plane for work.”
“Well then, I won’t keep you. I just wanted to let you know that everyone at the firm was very impressed with your résumé and your Skype interview. If you’re still interested, we’d like to offer you a position.”
“Yes. Absolutely.” She really needed to try a complete sentence. “I’m thrilled to get this opportunity.”
Masters, Dillon and Cooper was one of the premier advertising agencies in the Pacific Northwest. They handled major corporate clients with ties in the area, including an international coffee chain, a well-known airline, an adventure vacation company and many more. This was the chance of a lifetime. Exactly the kind of position she’d envisioned when she’d chosen marketing as her major.
She’d been working her ass off the past five years to earn this kind of opportunity and couldn’t believe she’d succeeded in landing it almost immediately after graduation.
Her hands started trembling, so much that Kennedy had to press the phone tight against her ear in order to hear the rest of what Simone said.
“Excellent. We’re excited to have you on board. But we need you here in three weeks. Is that doable?”
Kennedy began pacing, her restless energy and excitement needing an outlet so she wouldn’t squeal into the phone and scare the poor woman on the other end.
But that was a mistake, because when she turned, her gaze collided with Asher’s from across the terminal. He was watching her, that intense stare sending another shot of adrenaline through her body.
His presence was a reminder of the hurdles she still had to jump in order to make this work.
“As I mentioned in my interview, I’m in the middle of a major project that I can’t simply walk away from, but it should be complete by then.”
“Excellent, because your start date is important. Mr. Masters, Ms. Dillon and Mr. Cooper are forming a new division of the company and plan to make you part of that team. The kickoff meeting is in three weeks, and they require everyone present then.”
Kennedy swallowed, anxiety twisting in her belly. Three weeks wasn’t a very long time to get her life ready to move across the country, especially when she would be spending the majority of that on a ship in the middle of the Caribbean. But this was too good an opportunity to pass up.
“That shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Wonderful. I’ll send you an email with more details and some paperwork we’ll need you to complete. Safe travels and we’ll speak soon.”
Kennedy murmured her goodbyes.
In an ideal world she’d have taken the time to make lists, sift through details and plan. But she was about to board a plane and then hop immediately onto a ship heading for the open sea. She didn’t have the luxury of time.
And if making a handful of phone calls saved her the torture of sitting back down next to Asher, even better.
The first call she placed was to Jackson. He’d been aware that she’d interviewed, but decided not to tell his business partners about her potential resignation until it was an actuality. Luckily, it was late afternoon where he was. Unfortunately, he didn’t answer his phone, so she had to leave him a message. Not the way she wanted to break the news to him, but with the difference in their time zones and them both soon being in remote locations, she didn’t have much choice.
The next call was to her parents, who were thrilled she’d gotten the position but upset she’d be leaving so soon. After sweet-talking her mom into some sorting and packing, Kennedy hung up the phone, still buzzing and giddy from the excitement.
Until she turned, her gaze landing on Asher once more and the blatant reminder that several things still had to fall into place.
No matter what happened, this documentary had to be completed on time if she had any hope of making it to Seattle.
IT HAD BEEN several months since he’d been on the Amphitrite, but he always enjoyed being out in the field. Asher pulled the sea air into his lungs, letting it fill him up. Warm sun beat down on his skin, reminding him just why he did this.
There was nothing like making your living with the beach as your office. Any beach. He’d seen some of the most gorgeous sites in the world...and some of the worst humanity had to offer.
But that was behind him, and something he’d never even think about changing. Serving with the SEALs had been an honor. A legacy. The best thing he could ever hope to do with his life.
He’d grown up with stories of his father, the hero. The flag they’d handed his grandmother across the casket had hung on the wall above his bed.
All things considered, his life had turned out pretty well...even if there were days he felt empty.
He might not have any real family—because it was difficult to think of his mom as family when he hadn’t heard from her in twenty-seven years—but he didn’t need any. He’d forged his own connections in the brotherhood he’d found with the SEALs and the two men he considered closer than friends. Jackson, Knox and the rest of the Trident team were all the family he needed.
The quiet shush of water against the hull of the ship worked to center him. A welcome distraction from the fiasco that was about to unfold.
It was late afternoon, the heavy orange-red sun hanging low against the horizon as they headed away from Nassau. It would take them several hours to reach the dive site. The team had come into port to get supplies and pick up Kennedy, himself and the production crew that had met them at the dock.
Asher had studiously avoided Kennedy and the pile of heavy black cases and bags that had been loaded on under her watchful eye. It was better for his peace of mind.
Unfortunately, her voice, sharp with censure, floated across the deck, making that difficult. “Be careful with that!”
He turned, slumping against the hard railing, arm outstretched across the smooth surface. His gaze followed her every move. She was a hard woman to ignore.
Kennedy was a whirlwind of action. She made him tired just watching. A tiny stick of dynamite. She was bossy, full of opinions and not hesitant about sharing them...with anyone and everyone. Honestly, she reminded him quite a lot of his grandmother.
He’d loved his grandma with all his heart. Had been devastated when she passed six years into his tour with the SEALs. She’d
