I sit beside Preston with the whirring motor of the boat and the sounds of the river as our soundtrack. I see crocodiles on the banks and iguanas in the trees. They’re so close, it’s terrifying. When I jump, Preston laughs and pulls me in closer. The setting sun in the distance is our backdrop, painted shades of orange, pink, and purple. It’s remarkable. In this moment, I find peace. With Preston by my side, I know I can do anything. I know that I am safe. I know that I am taken care of. I know that I matter and that he cares. That he has big feelings—we both do.
As the sun dips below the horizon, and stars begin to blanket the sky, our tour guide turns the boat down a narrow canal. Emerging from the canal into a small lagoon, I am struck speechless by the sight. A blue glow emits from under the water. Tiny sparkling particles from below the surface glow as we move to the middle of the lagoon.
“Surprise,” Preston whispers in my ear.
“What is this place?”
“It’s called Anderson’s Lagoon. During the dry season, the microorganisms that settle here are bioluminescent. They glow when disturbed. It’s best to see at night and we almost missed it. Conditions have to be just right to see them.”
“This is amazing. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Our guide dips something in the water and swirls it around. The blue glow shines brighter and clearer. It looks like tiny blue stars sparkling beneath the surface.
“Oh my god,” I gasp as I take it all in.
The guide says something I don’t understand. Preston reads the question on my face and says, “He asked if we want to swim.”
“We can swim in this?” I whirl around rocking the boat. Preston laughs and steadies me.
Preston pulls his shirt over his head, displaying his perfectly toned body. I understand he says he isn’t in playing shape but he looks ready to me. His abs are still cut out and his 6-pack is showing. But who am I to tell the man he doesn’t need to work out?
Preston grabs my hand, locking our fingers together. He drags me to the edge of the boat and looks down. “Ready?”
“Ready.” I smile up at him and give a slight nod.
In complete sync, we step up to the ledge of the boat and jump off. The water is warm on my skin. Not too hot but pleasant against the night air. The stars blanket us with a soft glow from above. The water around us explodes into a shade of neon blue I didn’t know existed. It’s so bright and clear. It sparkles and glows as we move through the water.
Preston is even enthralled, if his “Wow,” and gasp is anything to go by. Swimming closer to him, he pulls me into his arms. I lock my legs around his waist and we float there surrounded by the most fabulous sight of nature I’m sure I will never see again.
“I can’t believe something like this exists.” The awe is apparent in my voice as I speak in a hushed whisper.
“Me neither. This is so cool.”
“Thank you for bringing me here.” Tugging on his hair, I bring Preston’s face back to mine. His soft blues reflect off the neon in the lagoon making them the clearest blue I have ever seen them. I am lost in his eyes for a minute as he holds me close.
My feelings for Preston have grown from an initial attraction at the bar to an acquaintance that blossomed into a friendship on Long Caye. Now, after crossing the invisible barrier into lovers, our connection is stronger than ever. Though I’m notready to confess to words of love, I am deeply in like with Preston Fields and committed to exploring whatever this thing is between us.
Preston breaks the silence with words I didn’t expect. He’s been clear that he has feelings but right now when he whispers, “I’m falling for you, Ives,” against my lips, my heart skips a beat in my chest. If we weren’t already floating, I would be weightless.
Preston kisses me softly. It’s a slow, tentative touch at first. A closed mouth kiss, followed by small kisses on each side of my mouth then my nose. When he comes back to my mouth, I open to him quickly and he easily slides inside. I pour every ounce of emotion into that kiss. Every bit of longing and reassurance for words I can’t say yet.
He makes me feel alive. He makes me feel like anything is possible. He sees me. The real me. Not the fabricated version of me. He also doesn’t care about the Hollywood version of me, except to call me out on it or to tease me with the nickname. He doesn’t care that I can’t cook, except enough to teach me how. He doesn’t care that I haven’t had adventure, except to show me the world. He doesn’t care who my dad is, except to the extent he has to play for him.
We get lost in each other wading in the lagoon and the natural masterpiece around us. I give my heart to Preston right there in that sparkling blue lagoon beneath a blanket of bright stars.
And I know he’s given me his.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Preston
May 17
PRESTON
I think I love her.
MILLER
