““I accept your lovely invitation,” he said, then added, “I only have one caveat.” Her relief turned to wary suspicion as she eyed him. “Oh? And that would be?” “Will you wear the crinolines?” She bumped his shoulder with hers, hard enough to make him put his hand out to brace himself so he didn’t topple off the pier. “Is that a yes?” he asked, chuckling and putting his hands up as she turned toward him. “You know, never mind,” she said. “I don’t know what possessed me to--” “Proposition a pirate?” he finished for her, his smile spreading to a grin. “What did you expect, Starfish? Tea and roses?” “And you wonder why I don’t try to communicate more.””
