"It would have been the perfect way to drive away unsuitable suitors," he said. "Anyone who couldn't handle that would hardly be worth your time, right?" Still, he could see her mother's concern and why a more...mature...view prevailed.

"Oh? Do I now?" He shot her a mock suspicious look. "Are you planning to liquor me up on a regular basis?" He took a swig from his bottle almost as though to punctuate the query.

"That does sound like a nightmare. I like your plan. No ships for us," he said, reaching to clack his bottle against hers. "Boats all the way." He settled down a little further against the pack so he could tip his head back without completely craning his neck. "Aside from the initial unpleasantness of the bait, I have to say crabbing is the way to go."