“Jerk.” I stick out my tongue, but climb out of bed and dutifully pull on a bathing suit and sarong. It feels so good being back on the island. I might throw out the last of my bras.
“You know I wouldn’t kick you out of bed unless it was for something good,”he teases as we walk down the sandy path to the beach.
“Is Mason still around? I’d love to see him again.”
“Aye, he’ll be there.”
It’s barely sunrise, but as we approach the dock outside the sanctuary, I see the dive boat is loaded and ready to go. Mike and Thomas notice us first, waving from the deck.
I gasp. “Is it—Jimmy?”
Steven smiles and I run for the boat, flying off the dock like it’s second nature. I share hugs with the crew and the sanctuary staff.
“You’re back!” Mason grins.
“You too! I couldn’t miss this.” The boat is organized chaos with movement in every corner.
“You’ve caused a lot of good trouble here.” Mike shades his eyes as he talks to me. “We can’t keep up with the applications and donations. Mason and Thomas have agreed to come on as full-time staff. This year is going to be huge for the rescue, and it’s mostly your doing. I’m glad you made it back.”
I look back at Steven and every word drips with meaning, “I couldn’t stay away.”
Jimmy is loaded onto the boat and we take off for the open water. We don’t have to go far—the area off the coast is perfect for munching on algae and sea grasses. He looks bigger than I remember, and maybe I’m just projecting, but he seems happier. Like he knows he’s finally going home.
“Thank you for finding me,” I whisper as I stroke his shell. “I think we rescued each other.”
Steven hangs back beside me and lets Mason and Thomas lead the release. My heart feels broken open and refilled with hope as Jimmy’s flippers start moving, eager to be back in the sea.
“I love you,” Steven says as he splashes into the water. When his voice goes low and smoky like that, I can’t help but feel a thrill in my core. It’s like we’re in our own world even when the boat erupts into cheers.
“I love you too.” I sigh, and it feels like a weight off my shoulders. I’m no longer floating on the tides, just treading water. I’m safely on shore. I’m home.
Epilogue
1 year later
Junie
The clatter of puppy dog nails across the decking makes my heart race. I know I only have moments before—
“Good morning, my beautiful bride!” The door bursts open and I’m attacked by an excited fluffball with a sandpaper tongue.
“I’m up, I’m up!” I cackle, kicking the blankets off and wrapping Charlie, our chocolate brown lab, in my arms. He wiggles like a wet fish and makes a mad attempt to lick my face.
“We’re about thirty minutes from land. You ready to do this thing?” My gorgeous captain smiles at me like I’m a treasure.
“What could we do with thirty whole minutes?” I ask, frowning innocently.
“Charlie, come here, boy.” He slaps his knees and unceremoniously locks him out of the bunk. He whines like we’re the cruelest puppy parents to ever exist, but then he must catch sight of a seagull interloping on the deck because he takes off with a playful bark.
I take one last chance to love on this man before we’re married. It’s a fumbling, sweaty, rushed sort of lovemaking. He really needs to keep an eye on the steering this close to shore, but I can’t keep my hands off him, or my mouth, or anything else. He’s all mine. Forever. We decided that ages ago, but tonight we’ll make it real.
When we’re cleaned up and moderately dressed, we head back on deck with a flush to our cheeks. Charlie nips at my ankles until I clip him into his harness then prepare the mooring lines. Our movements are seamless. Steven and I work like two heads of the same beast. He pulls up to the dock and I tie my knots in seconds, trying to swallow past the lump in my throat and the tears threatening to spill over my eyes.
The gang’s all here. On the pier, everyone’s dressed up and waiting. Victoria and Mike wave with an arm wrapped around each other’s waists. Mason and Thomas are wearing their finest Hawaiian shirts. Even Juliette flew back out and her grin makes my heart squeeze in my chest. Beside them, my parents smile and wave with tears in their eyes. Lisa and Eva are holding bouquets of frangipani flowers, Luna’s waving under a big sunhat. Steven’s Mom and two brothers are clapping and whooping.
I look back at my fiancé, my lower lip wobbling. He’s trying to keep it together, but I know he feels it too. He shuts off the engine and I grab the bags with our wedding things, attach Charlie’s leash, and we all climb off the boat together.
“Welcome back, mate.” Mike reaches us first, slapping a hand into Steven’s then pulling him in for a hug.
