Lil rolls her eyes, but the tension in her shoulders has eased. Dare I think the potential crisis is past?
We continue to stand, ankle deep in the dark waters of the bay, gazing at one another in silence.
“Is that it now? If there’s anything else you need to tell me, do it now. Because I don’t like surprises much. And I’d rather know than get blindsided.” Lil’s hands land firmly on her hips.
I hold mine up, palm out, in surrender. “There’s nothing else. Honest.”
Lil’s eyes bore into me for a long beat before she nods and turns back towards the beach, chewing on her bottom lip. I’m not sure what to make of her reaction, and the waiting is killing me. I’m about to ask what she’s thinking when she makes a humming noise and turns back to me.
“I’m thinking sex on the beach would be gritty. Is it too early for another skinny dip? Those poolside beds seem like a much better option than the sand. You’ve talked this outdoor sex up so much, I think I need to try it.”
The relief almost buckles my knees. I roar with laughter.
“It’s not even ten o’clock. I thought you wanted to piss them off, not give them a heart attack.” I sling an arm around her shoulder, indescribably happy that I haven’t stuffed this up. That we’re okay. “Maybe we could take a walk up on the headland. The views are spectacular. And the grass is nice and soft.”
“That could work. You’d better not have oversold this.” She takes my hand and starts leading me towards the hilltop path.
Fuck, this woman has me tied up with a red ribbon. It’s a shame she comes with so much unpleasant baggage. But there’s no doubt in my mind she’s worth it.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Lilavati
There’s no time for breakfast in the resort before we head off for our snorkelling adventure in Molokini Crater because we have to be there before six, but Ant assures me we’ll get breakfast on the boat.
It's a disappointment to be missing those malasadas, but snorkelling in a volcano crater seems like a better than even exchange. Add in spending another whole day with Ant away from the family and I couldn’t be happier.
I’m also not inclined to be argumentative because Ant was proved right. He didn’t oversell outdoor sex. I might have grazed knees, but I feel fantastic.
I was furious with him last night for maybe a nanosecond. Sure, I wish he hadn’t lied to me. But I’m kind of glad he gave me the opportunity to get to know him the way he did. Because he’s right. If I’d had any inkling he was more than met the eye when I suggested this arrangement, I may well have run screaming from the idea.
I have to be careful not to let Ant’s situation fool me, though. It’s still true I really don’t have time for a relationship, and it’s still true that Ant and I are not really suited. We’re complete opposites. And despite how supportive and attentive he’s been, despite how attractive he apparently finds me, he didn’t argue at all about this being a holiday fling.
Mei was right, as usual. A sneaky link in a tropical paradise is just what I needed. For once in my life, I’m not going to overthink it. I’m going to make like my best friend and enjoy the moment.
The boat taking us to our snorkel spot is a small but beautiful catamaran with only four other passengers. We sail through the bluest waters I’ve ever seen, eating fresh fruit and pastries in the sun on the back deck.
I nearly jump out of my skin when no more than twenty feet from the boat, a humpback whale rises out of the water, slapping its tail on the surface before disappearing again, only to reappear again and again as though it’s following us, raising a flipper now and then as if it’s waving to us.
Eventually, we pull up at a crescent moon island of rock and grass that rises out of dark blue water. We’re the first boat here, but I can see three others in the distance, all heading for the same spot.
I slip on my new rashie, and Ant plaits my hair while we listen to the safety instructions from the staff. Who knew there was a right and wrong way to jump into the water from the back of a boat? I’m convinced water this deep will be cold, but as I land, braced for a chill, I find it’s actually warmer than the water in Kapalua Bay.
Snorkelling in the bay and getting so close to the turtles is amazing, but Molokini Crater is next level. The water is a little surgier than in the bay, but Ant takes my hand and doesn’t let go. In no time, I’m so entranced that I’ve forgotten that we’re in themiddle of the ocean. The flow of the water, the tight grip of Ant’s hand and the colourful sea life we swim over have transported me.
After what feels like only minutes, but turns out to be over an hour, we climb back on the boat and the crew serves us morning tea. It’s not until I’m out of the water, flat on my back on the deck, that I realise how exhausted I am. Snorkelling is hard work.
“Have you had enough?” Ant asks, his elbows resting on his up-drawn knees beside me.
“What? No! I just need to catch my breath. We’re going to Turtle Town next. Not missing that.”
Ant laughs. “Have I created a monster?”
“Quite possibly.” Snorkelling is fast becoming a bit of an addiction. “I’m thinking when I get that fellowship and I don’t need to work so many hours, I might see about doing a dive course. Imagine being able to go down into the deep? The captain said there are reef sharks a little further down.”
“I think you’d love diving. There are some amazing spots for it around Sydney, although the water won’t be quite as warm. I was thinking we could even go up to Ningaloo Reef and snorkel with the whale sharks. That would blow your mind.”
My head pops up off the deck, and I squint through the bright sun at Ant. His body is relaxed, face turned to the sun. I can’t see his eyes because of his sunglasses, but his expression is tranquil. He looks happy. Does he realise what he’s said, or was it just a slip of the tongue?
