“Well Junie, we’re a sanctuary, a dive school, and protectors of the reef,” I reel off the spiel I memorized when I first arrived, before Mike banned me from giving tours. “Our mission is to save sea turtles and ensure their continued survival, which includes education and conservation.”
She seems somewhat interested in my robotic lecture, at least she never stops staring at me. I start to wonder if there’ssomething on my face. Uncomfortable heat prickles wherever she looks. Where is this chick’s boyfriend?
“Of course, this work would be impossible without our amazing volunteers.” I spot a nest of orange curls coming out of the employee room and nearly choke with relief. “Thomas! Get over here, mate. Junie called in that green on the beach this morning.” I wave him over quickly.
Thomas gives me a strange look—it’s probably the most he’s ever heard me speak at one time—but he takes over without missing a beat. They shake hands as he slips into his customer service smile like a glass slipper.
Somehow on an island with sun, sand, and bugs he and Mike always manage to look clean-cut and professional. I touch my own windswept mop self-consciously before remembering my escape.
“Thomas can show you around.” I should probably say more, should thank her for her time, or wish her a good day, but I don’t have time for that crap. Thomas is much better at racking up donations. His particular brand of charm could separate a woman from her dosh much easier than my sun-worn mug.
He can take her to get her selfie with a sea turtle. I’d hate for the princess to fly back to her real life without evidence of her good deed.
I walk back out to the dock where the dive boat should be arriving any minute. I know the interns are more than capable of handling the guests, but there’s always gear to break down, clean, or refill.
The work is hard with long hours. Mike schedules everyone two days off a week, but I always end up here anyway. The repetitivechores give me time to think, and lately my mind is heavy with goodbyes. I’m sick of them.
When I crash-landed here with a broken heart, I thought partying could fill the void. The drinks and the chicks were fun for a while, but the reality of living on a tourist island is that everybody leaves. Last year I made a promise. No more soulless hook ups. No more one night stands.
So Junie can take her fine ass back to the resort and enjoy her time on the island all on her own. There’s no reason I ever need to see her again.
No goodbye necessary.
Chapter 4
Junie
Rejected.
But maybe he’s just busy. On the tour, I catch glimpses of Steven lugging tanks and scuba gear around the docks, but he never looks my way. His obvious disinterest rankles like a barnacle under my bare foot.
Luckily, the sanctuary is fascinating. I learn about green and hawksbill turtles, Citizen Science initiatives, and I get to peek in on some of the eggs warming under piles of sand in a darkened room.
“Ideally we leave the nests undisturbed on the beach, but if they’re at high risk of predators or poaching, we move them to give them a better chance at survival.” The red lights bounce off Thomas’s square lenses as he explains. “Sea turtle eggs are still eaten in some parts of South East Asia and around the world.”
I wrinkle my nose. “Aren’t they endangered?”
“Green sea turtle populations are actually rising due to conservation efforts. We’re figuring out what works. That’s why I study marine biology and statistics. The more data we have, the more effective our efforts will be.”
“My friend Eva would love you. She’s an actuary and she can talk numbers all day.” Statistics usually make me tune out, but Thomas makes everything sound interesting and relatable. My head is swimming with new facts.
Jimmy is still resting in isolation, so I don’t get to see him, but Thomas shows me two adult turtles floating in a large tank.
“This is Sweetie and Laamu. They’re both estimated to be in their 40s and were called in by local fishermen with minor injuries. They’re doing much better now. Sweetie is scheduled to be released back into the wild next week.”
As we wrap up the tour, I’m thoroughly impressed by his passion and the depth of his knowledge. He’s clearly proud of their conservation projects and loves talking about the data.
“There’s actually a beach clean up tonight, if you’re interested. It’s usually a great time and there’s free beer.” He grins. He’s a few years younger than me, but he’s treating me like a fellow traveler, someone fun who might be up for last minute plans involving beer, socializing, and saving the Earth.
I so want him to be right.
“I’ll be there!” I snap a picture of the flyer on my phone to show Eva.
What are the chances my mysterious, brooding scuba savior might be the kind of guy to crack a beer and clean the beach, too?
*****
Eva is on board but she has a surprise for me—Jake is bringing a guy from his hostel to help me on my quest for a holiday hookup.
