“Remember that school camping trip? When I saw you sitting alone by the water, I wanted nothing more than to whisk you away and make you smile. And now…there it is. That smile.”
“You did whisk me away,” Priya said. “On your motorcycle.”
“I haven’t forgotten. Especially the way you clung to me.” Ethan grinned. “But that was reckless. We didn’t even have helmets on. Tonight’s different. I can offer you more now, the kind of magic you deserve.”
The yacht’s lounge glowed with soft light, and the lake shimmered around them. Curled up next to Ethan on a couch, Priya felt like she was floating, as if gravity had lost its grip on her. The distant chatter of the crew and the sound of equipment faded as the engine hummed to life. Yara reappeared at the door with a gentle knock.
“The captain says we’re ready to depart. Would you like to enjoy the view from the deck?”
Priya and Ethan followed her to an open-air section. Though May was inching toward its second half, the evening was still cooler than expected. Heat lamps bathed the loungers in warmth, keeping the chill at bay. As the yacht began to glide away from the dock, Priya leaned over the railing, smiling as Ethan’s arms slid around her from behind. They stood like figureheads at thefront of the yacht, the lake’s surface rippling endlessly toward the edge of the horizon. The sun cast long shadows on the deck and the sky erupted in a kaleidoscope of pink and lavender hues.
“It’s like something out of a movie,” Priya said, awe coloring her voice.
“Well, as long it’s notTitanic.”
Priya grinned. “If this wereTitanic, we’d be standing like this…” She spread her arms wide.
Ethan joined her, grinning as he mimicked the iconic pose. The yacht surged forward, and for a fleeting moment, Priya felt like she was flying. She closed her eyes, the wind brushing over her skin, cool and clean with the touch of spring’s chill. She felt Ethan’s warmth at her back, solid and sure. Distant laughter floated up from the crew’s quarters, and somewhere, a cork popped.
When Priya opened her eyes, the sky had transformed. A burnished blaze of apricot and deep violet stretched across the horizon. The lake mirrored the colors, every ripple catching fire with the molten light.
“So beautiful,” Priya breathed, her voice thick with wonder. She lowered her arms and turned to Ethan. His arms slipped around her again, as if heknewshe needed anchoring, as if it was second nature to him now. He smelled warm and citrusy, like sun-warmed orange peel and sea salt. Priya closed her eyes, her forehead brushing his chest.This. This is what being cherished feels like.Her heart felt as boundless as the lake itself.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had a moment like this,” she said softly.
Ethan kissed the top of her head, his hand slipping down to lace their fingers together. “Then let’s make it the first of many.”
They stood in silence as the sun dipped lower, the colors deepening as the sky surrendered to twilight.
“Promise me if we hit an iceberg, you’ll share the door.” Ethan’s voice held a grin as he referenced another scene inTitanic, but underneath it was something more—a question, quiet and careful.
Priya turned her face to him, her eyes shining. “You think I’m letting go of the one person who makes me feel like this?”
She leaned in until their foreheads touched. The world quieted around them—just the rhythm of the water, the whisper of the wind, and unspoken promises hanging between them like stars waiting to appear. As the yacht glided across the lake, soft lights flicked on around the deck. Ethan pulled back the slightest bit, just enough to look at Priya. His gaze dropped to her mouth, the moment stretching—silent and shimmering. Priya didn’t dare move, didn’t dare break the spell that had wrapped around them.
When Ethan kissed her, the rest of the world disappeared. There was only the heat of his mouth, the way his hand cupped her jaw, the slow, possessive slide of his other hand down her back, pulling her flush against him. Her knees went soft, her breath forgotten, every thought knocked clean out of her head. She kissed him back as if loving him had always been written under her skin, as if she finally understood what all the poems were about.
When they finally pulled apart, Priya’s eyes fluttered open, her breath unsteady. “Is it weird that I feel like we just said something? Without actually saying anything?”
Ethan’s mouth quirked. “No. I heard it too.”
The faint click of polished shoes on the deck made them turn. Yara stepped into view, hands clasped in front of her.
“Gorgeous sunset tonight,” she said. “Are you ready to head back inside, or would you like a few more moments?”
Ethan glanced at Priya, who nodded. “We’re ready,” he said.
“Right this way,” Yara replied.
They followed her into the softly lit interior, warm and glowing like an old movie set. “Where’s the restroom?” Priya asked as they passed through the hallway.
“Down the corridor to your right,” Yara answered.
“I’ll join you in a sec,” Priya said to Ethan. “I just need to freshen up.”
The restroom was stunning, like everything else on the yacht. Cool marble counters. Warm, flattering light. A crystal dish of rose petals by the sink that felt absurdly extra and somehow perfect.
Priya stood at the mirror, her lips still tingling from Ethan’s kiss. She shook her head, a mix of disbelief and giddiness rising in her chest.Is this real life?
