“I’ll think about it, thank you,” I smile and take down the Whatsapp number for the dive shop.
“Just text in the morning and they will add you to the class. I think there is only one other couple signed up so far. It will be so fun.” Her accent grows thicker as we continue to drink, and I can feel myself getting slower as well.
Eva approaches the table, her hand full of glinting metal. “Anyone up for darts?”
The four of us take turns, getting progressively worse, until Mason has to head to bed. Juliette is impossible to dislike, bubbly and sweet. She begs us to stay for another round, but if we’re really going to learn how to breathe underwater tomorrow, I should probably call it a night too.
On the short walk back to our room, I tell Eva about the scuba course and her eyes light up.
“I’ve actually always wanted to do that! I would love to take it with you. That’s the perfect way to wrap up our trip.”
Her enthusiasm makes me even more excited.
Grandma Frannie never learned to swim, but I know she’d approve of this new adventure.
Something beyond a fleeting moment posted online to make people jealous. Something that feels more true to myself than trying to be silent, meditative, or emptying my mind.
I don’t want to be empty. I want to fill up on new skills and new experiences. I want to break out of my comfort zone and try something new.
And if it brings me back into the orbit of the hot Dive Master, then that isn’t the worst thing either. He might’ve turned me down again, but I’m not giving up. There’s still time to have a one night stand.
Chapter 5
Steven
It’s only Monday morning and I’m already pissed off. Juliette called out of her shift whinging about a flu, but we all know she closed down The Local. I’m all for having a good time, but not when I’m the one who has to pick up the slack.
This morning’s cleanup dive is weighing heavily on my mind. No matter how much plastic, metal, and fishing line we pull out of the ocean, we never get ahead.
And tensions are escalating with some of the local tour operators. Tourism brings in a lot of money to the islands, but it also results in too many people on the coral reefs, and the damage is felt all across the ecosystem.
I know there are cultural differences, so I try to stay out of the drama, but as we’re heading back to the shop this morning, we see a boat captain dump the tinnies from his last party directly into the sea and I still kind of feel like punching something.
I’m no biologist or hippie, I’m just a guy who wants to raise children someday in a world that still has hawksbill turtles. Sometimes people really suck.
So it’s with more than my usual crabbiness that I push into the employee room and flick on the jug. After four years at thesanctuary, I avoid the guest-facing classes as much as possible, but when an intern calls out sick, sacrifices have to be made. At least, that’s what Mike cheerfully reminds me as he hands over the clipboard.
“Two last minute additions, should be fun!” He claps me on the shoulder as I scowl. “Try not to scare them off. Juliette can take over tomorrow if she’s feeling better.”
“Yeah, the mysterious Monday morning flu,” I grumble, stirring my Nescafe until it resembles bitter, brown sludge. I ignore the burn in my throat and neck half the mug of scalding liquid.
“You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?” Mike is brave to keep poking the bear before I’ve finished my caffeine.
“Yeah nah, I went home early last night,” I remind him, as if responsibility, not avoidance, had anything to do with my decision.
“Sounds like we both missed out on the fun.”
“Gettin’ old.” I shrug and pour another cup for the road. Truth is, I hadn’t felt like sticking around to figure out what games Junie was playing. She kept showing up, running her mouth, but I’d seen the guy she was with. Was she just trying to spice up her vacation by making him jealous? Is that why she wouldn’t take a hint?
Clipboard in one hand, questionable second cuppa in the other, I push through the door to the pool deck and get the wind knocked out of me.
“Oof,” I groan, coffee flying everywhere.
“Ahh!” A muffled squeak. I look down and see familiar golden hair. Soft hands brace my pecs and I flex involuntarily. “Holy shit, are you a brick wall?”
I snort, throw the clipboard onto a nearby lounger, and step out of her orbit. She looks up at me with big brown eyes and sinks her teeth into her bottom lip. I keep my eyes focused there and not on the polka dot bikini or the giant bow between her breasts. Jesus Christ.
“We meet again. I’m sorry about your coffee. Can I get you another one?”
