She squinted, unable to see beyond the light’s reach. “See what?” But that’s when it came into view. A grey, shadowy outline of something suspended beyond the edge. “What is that?”
“Haha,” he chuckled. “This is going to be fun.” He hurried over to a panel along the side of the boat, gave it a few taps, then rubbed his hands together. “Ethan and Karson showed me this. It’s awesome.”
Camila set her gaze back on the sight in time to see a set of lights flip on. “A hammock chair? Over the water?” And that’s just what it was, too. She stared down at the gap between the railing and the hanging chair, realizing that the floor below it was made of glass. She could see the lights reflected there and in the glass railing surrounding the addition too.
James swung back part of that glass railing, allowing them to enter. “Madam,” he said in a low voice.
A round of nerves rustled through her as she moved from the shiny wood floor of the deck, to the near invisible surface beneath the hammock. The chair was beautiful. An iron, gold case with intricate detail, like a birdcage that had been cut in two. In the rounded hollow, cushions of bright white seemed to hover like puffy clouds.
“This is incredible,” she said. Now she understood the excitement she’d seen in him. It was like a dream.
James tugged a blanket from a nearby storage bench and wadded it beneath his arm before joining her. “Here,” he said, tossing the blanket onto the seat and offering his hand.
He steadied the swing as she climbed in, and soon he was nudged up beside her, spreading the plush blanket over them both. It was warm and soft, a wonderful contrast to the crisp bite in the air. And when James cozied into her, infusing her with the scent of his spicy aftershave, Camila basked in the gift of having him near.
She reminded herself of what she was about to share, and a boost of confidence swept in; she could tell him about her life story, leave out the one dark detail, and focus on the rest. Besides, her therapist had drilled an important message into her mind:“You’re not defined by the events in your life, or even the people who gave you that life. What defines you is the way you live, love, and use the gift of every day.”
Never had she recognized the truth of those final words like she did right then. The endless ocean crashing beneath them. The warmth of him contrasting the delicious breeze. This moment was, indeed, a very beautiful gift, and Camila vowed inwardly to make it count.
“I went paragliding a few years ago in Italy,” James said as she snuggled up to his shoulder.
She inhaled another deep, heavenly scent of him. “You did?”
“Yeah,” he said with a laugh. “It was during one of our celebrations for my dad’s life. Before Winston passed. He and I went to together. It was one of those seat type of deals, like a park swing, where you’re suspended side-by-side beneath the parachute.”
He chuckled once more and ran a hand over his face. “Winston was talking so much smack. Saying that I was going to freak out and scream like a girl. So we get moving, and I’m fine. I’m actually just enjoying the view and the wind and everything. Winston, he started off with a couple of hoots, and then he gets quiet. I figured he was just taking in the scenery like I was. So I said something like,it’sincredible, right?He didn’t answer so I tried again with a different one.Can you believe this?Still no answer.
“So I lean my head between the straps to look over at him, and the guy is passed out cold.”
She gasped. “You’re kidding.”
James’ laughter was contagious. “Serious.”
“That is hilarious. Did you give him crap for it?”
“You know it. And since we were so close—like, best friends, really—we had a special pass to really razz each other. More than the average sibling.”
Best friends?The words put a fresh take on the hurt he must be going through. “I didn’t realize you two were so close.” The sentence was coated in a sadness she hadn’t meant to reveal. “That’s a great memory,” she added.
“Yeah,” he agreed with a sigh. “It sure is. Have you ever been parasailing?”
“No, I haven’t.”
James turned toward her, that thoughtful furrow in his brow. “I saw a few people out there while I was running on the beach. Think the resort offers it. If they do, would you go with me when we get back?”
His question answered a concern Camila had noticed throughout the day. A worry that things would go back to normal once they got back to the villa. His invitation said that wasn’t the case.
“Have you gone since that time with Winston?” she asked.
“No,” he admitted.
Emotion struck her fast and hard. She couldn’t exactly say why, only that she sensed it might help the healing process, something she inwardly longed to do. “Yes,” she said. “I would love to.”
He put his arm around her then, pressed a kiss to the side of her head. “Thank you.”
She grinned at how natural that kiss felt. At how comfortable and close they’d become.
James spoke more about Winston and his family, giving her a glimpse into a life that seemed more normal than she might have guessed. They were close, and they enjoyed one another’s company. She admired that as much as she envied it. Camila couldn’t imagine having such a big family. Hearing about the adventures they shared over the years made her long for it.
