Free Crazy About You by Katie O'Sullivan Page B

conscience. Survivor guilt , they called it, like labeling it would make it go away. Carpe diem , she decided, and began living her life day-to-day, trying new things and exploring options. Getting serious with a guy wasn’t on her to-do list.
    Since graduating from college, she knew she wanted to make a difference in the world. Emma tried to believe that her job helped the planet in some small way, raising political money and awareness for a good ecological cause. But so much of her current position was politics and media relations, and very little of it was about saving the earth.
    On the other hand, she harbored no doubts that Chase made a concrete difference every day with his research. So obviously intelligent and well versed in ocean ecology, she appreciated the way he spoke at lunch about his work without dumbing it down. On top of which, there was that kiss. Her lips tingled at the memory of the sizzling kiss that left her craving more like some sort of addict, breathless in anticipation of her next fix.
    And then there was Tony. While she was glad to have a friend like him in her life, there were parts of his life she didn’t understand, like what his job entailed, beyond his title of corporate insurance salesman. How did he benefit from helping her with the mayor’s corporate donors? And why did he need her to pretend to be something more than simply a friend?
    Men make life complicated . She hugged her pillow. Her lips tingled again and she sighed. Although some complications might be worth the effort .

Chapter Eight
    “So, what did you think of the captain?”
    Todd’s question caught Chase off guard. He’d been daydreaming about a certain blonde with turquoise eyes and a zest for trying new things, not thinking about the boat captain with the whiskey breath. He cleared his throat, regrouping his thoughts. “As long as Captain Wilbur’s sober when we arrive at the pier in the morning, I think it’ll work out fine. He seemed familiar enough with the general area we need to check out.”
    Todd nodded, not looking at all convinced. “You know the guy’s a drunk, right?”
    They walked down MacMillan Wharf, back toward the spot in front of the pub where Chase first ran into Emma. He half expected to see the captain slinking into the bar ahead of them. Who am I kidding? That guy whipped a whiskey bottle from of his desk drawer the minute we walked out the office door.
    “He won’t show up impaired at dawn. Not when we’ve told him the importance of this mission.” And how much we’re willing to pay for a few easy boat rides , he added, although he didn’t give voice to that particular cynicism. The captain’s eyes shone bright when he realized he wouldn’t have to hire any mates to haul bait or fillet fish. He’d get to keep the whole fee, which would most likely translate straight into more whiskey.
    Luckily, Chase stipulated none of the payment would be rendered until the project was complete. He couldn’t risk losing even one more day to illness, whether appendicitis or simple drunkenness. They needed to map the size of the gyre and take samples back to New York quickly. Not even Todd fully understood the importance of this mission, but Chase didn’t want to scare the grad student. Keep focused .
    “Okay then. What’s your next move with klutzy phone girl?” They came to a halt in front of the bar. “Are you meeting her again tonight?”
    “She has a boyfriend.” Which was just as well. He needed to stay focused.
    “So?”
    He stared at the grad student. “I’m not some kind of asshole.”
    “But you like her. As in, really like her.” He stated it as a fact, not a question.
    “She’s taken.”
    “As that awful pop song says, if he loved her he should’ve put a ring on it.” When Chase looked puzzled, Todd shrugged. “What? No Beyoncé in your music library? Never mind. Let me put it a different way, one that someone your age can understand. Remember your Shakespeare?” Todd