He grins, clearly happy that she’s playing into it. “Cap.” He salutes me, then turns on his heel and heads back down the dock.
For the first time in a week, Tessa and I are alone. She turns to face me, her smile falling slightly. It makes my chest ache to know that she’s still awkward around me, but I hope today will change that.
Maybe. It may also make it worse.
Either way, it’s worth the risk.
“The new door looks nice,” she comments.
“Thanks. Well, are you ready?”
Confusion mars her expression. “Ready for what?”
“Wait up there; I’ll be right back.” I gesture toward the pilothouse, then quickly untie the dock line securing the boat to the marina.
“So where are we going?”
“You’ll see,” I reply with a grin, then start the motor. It rumbles to life, and I guide the boat out onto the water with the precision of someone who has been doing just that nearly his entire life. Even as young as I was when my dad passed, he’d taught me to sail. In a lot of ways, I’m more comfortable at the helm of a boat than at the wheel of my truck.
Tessa stands at my side, her gaze fixated straight ahead. Although I know it’s treading dangerous waters, I can’t help but imagine what it would have been like if we’d gotten married. Would she have been happy for the year we sailed around the world?
Would we have kids now?
Would I have gone to medical school and become a doctor?
Focus on the present, Knox.
“I thought you could use some distance,” I tell her, my voice louder than normal so she can hear it over the rumbling motor.
“You thought right,” she replies with a wide smile that has my stomach twisting into knots.
Twenty minutes pass in silence with just the sound of the rumbling boat motor to keep us company. But soon, we’ve reached our destination, and I guide the boat toward the small island, staying as close as I can while also avoiding the rocks.
Tessa turns to me, a wide smile on her face. “Really?”
“You recognize it?”
“Of course I recognize it! Some of my best memories are out here.” She follows me down toward the bow of the boat, where I drop the anchor.
Warmth spreads through my chest as I take in the sight of her bright smile.
“Well, I figured it was the best way to spend your birthday.”
Her brows draw together, and her smile falters. “What?”
“Do you not know what the date is?”
She continues staring at me, clearly trying to decide whether or not it really is her birthday. “I didn’t even realize. I haven’t celebrated since—well—since we did the last time.”
That warmth I’d experienced moments ago dissipates. “You haven’t celebrated your birthday since you were nineteen?”
She shakes her head. “I never saw a reason to. We didn’t celebrate it when I was a kid, and I guess I was just focused on surviving.”
“Tessa.” My heart breaks for her. For the loneliness she must have experienced since she left.
“It’s fine.” She forces a smile. “So it’s my birthday, huh?”
“Yeah. Anastasia brought over something for you to swim in, and I figured we could—” I trail off, shaking my head. “I’m sorry. If this isn’t how you want to spend today, we can head back.”
