Cassie had a fitful night and gave up trying to sleep around five in the morning. Her lungs still burned after being filled with saltwater the day before and she suffered a wicked sore throat. Uncle Milos had backed her up about not going to the hospital. Rafe didn't understand and had argued with his stepfather but eventually accepted the decision.

She got up and shuffled into the bathroom.

Rafe cared about her, that much was plain, but did he care for her in a romantic way or was he just the sort of person who cared about everybody? Cassie figured it had to be the latter. He would be just as concerned if someone from either crew had gotten into trouble. This time it had been her. Again.

But what if he did have romantic inclinations? Cassie didn't know how she felt about that. She had zero experience with guys except for her disastrous date with Connell.

Rafe had rescued her twice now, saved her from the horror of rape the first time and saved her from fire sponges the second time. He was tall, strong, and easy to look at. He seemed overbearing at times but could be reasoned with. She respected his decisiveness because decisiveness was obviously something she lacked given how she couldn't make up her mind about how she felt about him.

She waited for the shower water to get hot. There would be no sponge diving today because a tropical storm was bearing down and expected to make landfall close to dinner time. The water ahead of the storm had become too choppy and dangerous.

While under the shower, Cassie reconsidered. Had Rafe really saved her from drowning or had he caused her to gulp water by startling her? She was having trouble remembering exactly what occurred during the minutes before waking up on the deck of his boat.

Cassie washed her hair, careful to make sure her braids wouldn't come undone. She rushed through the rest of her shower anxious to find out if her aunt answered a text message she had sent.

She got out of the shower, toweled off, and dried her hair just enough so it wasn't dripping all over the place. She slipped into some grungy knock-around clothes, picked up her phone, and checked Marnie's response.

Cassie to Marnie: I need to see you. Something happened and I need to talk. Also, did you know my boss was Uncle's new wife? I feel lousy about it. Thinking about quitting. I miss you so much.

Marnie to Cassie: Don't quit. I'll come see you mid-morning because I don't want to get caught driving in the coming storm. I miss you too.

Cassie sighed. It had been only a few days and she was already homesick. Seeing her aunt would lift her spirits. Her aunt was the only person in the world she could talk to.

"You're so pathetic, Cassie," she muttered.

Too worn down from lack of sleep, she decided to try the pastry shop downstairs instead of making herself breakfast. She slid her toes into a pair of dirty, sand encrusted flip-flops and padded down the steps.

The aroma of fresh pasties, hot from the oven, overwhelmed her as she stepped into the shop. She also smelled coffee. A half-dozen tables with red checkered, plastic tablecloths lay scattered about the dining area and four stools were arranged in front of the counter. The place was busy. The counter was full as were most of the tables.

A waitress pouring coffee for one of the customers saw her. "Grab a table, miss. I'll be right with you."

Cassie slid onto one of the chairs and rested her forehead in her hand.

"Rough night?" the waitress asked. She set a cup of coffee in front of her.

"Couldn't sleep," Cassie responded. "This is my first time here. What do you recommend?"

"We bake killer pastries, but we also serve yogurt and hot oatmeal."

Oatmeal would be healthier and might soothe her sore throat. "Oatmeal, please, and can I have some honey to put in it?"

"No problem. It'll be just a minute or two."

When her order arrived, Cassie dove right in. She thought it tasted delicious.

"I'll have the usual, Glenda."

Cassie recognized Rafe's baritone voice. She looked up from her bowl. He stood at the take-out counter. Her heart started to race. Rafe hadn't seen her yet. Oh no, she looked like crap with dark circles under eyes and dressed in old clothes. She looked all around the shop, everywhere except at him. Feeling conflicted, she didn't want him to see her like this, but she did want to see him. What was wrong with her? She was so confused.

Glenda passed him the to-go box and a cup of coffee. Rafe paid. Just as he was about to walk out, he spotted her.

Cassie saw his eyes light up. He smiled and approached. "How's the oatmeal?"

"Good." Her voice was raspy. Was that all she could say? Why was she suddenly at a loss for words?

An awkward moment ticked by while he stood there. "Can I sit?"

"Sure. I'm sorry. I'm still tired and not thinking straight."

He sat and studied her.

It made her nervous because she felt lousy and looked miserable. "Why are you staring at me like that?"

"I'm trying to figure out if you're okay."

"I'm okay."

"You don't sound okay."

She gave him credit for not saying she looked like crap. "I still hurt from yesterday."

Rafe raised a hand. "May I feel your forehead?"

Should she let him? "I guess so."

It felt nice, his cool hand against her forehead.

"I don't think you have a fever." He grew pensive after removing his hand. Yeah, pensive. She learned that word from Miss Gracie too. "If you catch a fever or start feeling worse, promise you'll let me take you to the ER."

It wasn't lost on her that he offered to take her instead of saying she should go herself. "I won't promise to go, but I'll promise to think about it." What she said made no sense. "Ah, geez."

He smiled but didn't say anything.

Wanting to change the subject, she looked at his pastry box. "Aren't you going to eat that?"

Rafe sipped his coffee. "I'll share with you."

"Oh, no, Rafe I wasn't hinting for you to share."

When he opened the box, she saw a huge cinnamon roll with cream cheese icing. Her mouth watered. "Okay, you talked me into it."

He chuckled and got Glenda's attention. "Can you bring us a couple of plates and forks?"

When she returned, Rafe sliced a wedge for her. She forked a bite into her mouth. "Mmm, this is so good."

"I'm pleased you enjoy it."

She took another bite. It was heaven.

Rafe got her attention. "Uh, Cassandra?"

She looked up.

He picked a paper napkin from the tabletop dispenser and dabbed her chin. "Some of the icing got away from you."

She felt her face redden with embarrassment. "It seems you're always catching me at my worst, the bonfire fiasco, my almost drowning yesterday, my groaty appearance this morning, and now I smear food all over my face."

"Would you give me a chance to catch you when you're not at your worst?"

She had trouble digesting what he was asking. "Huh?"

"Today is no good because you're not feeling well and the coming storm. Since you seem to enjoy food, I'll take you to dinner for a proper meal tomorrow afternoon."

Did she hear correctly? "Are you asking me out?"

"That's the general idea."

Her heart raced. Was this actually happening to her? "You mean on a bona fide date?"

Rafe laughed. "You're so cute."

She wanted to, but something happened to her out there in the Gulf she didn't understand. Something confusing. Something with those sponges that maybe was meant to happen. Did she want to add to her emotional stress by inviting a guy into her life?

Rafe raised an eyebrow. "Don't overthink it, Cassandra. It's just a date. Say, yes."

She giggled and feeling a bit giddy placed a hand over mouth. "Yes." With a surge of confidence, she repeated more forcefully, "Yes, Rafe, I'd like that."

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