“You mean for me. A suitable wife for me. One I’ll spend the rest of my life with.”
“Don’t be dramatic, boy. You will marry a woman from a good family to give you an heir that will help our company grow.”
For the first time in my life, I had the urge to punch my father.
If he was still alive I would’ve gone along with the arranged marriage, as I had with every decision he made. There was no point in fighting him, it did nothing. The thought feeds the festering pool of resentment bubbling inside ever since I realized I was a pawn in my father’s plans. My happiness or wants never factored in. I had no expectations for a real marriage.
Am I free of that duty now that my father is dead? The idea never crossed my mind for the past three years. Until now.
“We’ll rest here. You must be tired.” She points to a small sandy beach.
Eliza stretches and a sliver of pale skin beckons me beneath the hem of her T-shirt. All this paddling is turning me into a hormonal teenager. Then she surprises me by opening the hatches in the bow and stern and taking out two dry bags. When did she sneak them in?
The first bag lands on my chest and it’s softer than it looked.
“Put the blanket under that tree.” Bossy Eliza is something else.
She then proceeds to take out water, dried fruits, beef jerky, and unsalted crackers.
“That’s what he could spare,” she said with an apologetic shrug. “I didn’t imagine you’d care for it. Guessed we’d be back to the car in thirty minutes.”
“You’re so good at this I didn’t even realize how long we’ve been out there,” I tell her, and she tries to hide a satisfied grin.
“You didn’t do too bad either. For a rookie.” The proud wide smile imprints on my brain and travels down, flaring up my nervous system like fireworks.
We enjoy the well-earned snack, sitting so close I revel in the warmth of her skin, and she asks me about the places I’ve traveled. I ask her about her job at the paper factory and I find out her ex-boss is the human equivalent of a leech. We fight over the last bites, and I win when our fingers graze and she pulls back, blushing.
“The epitome of fine dining. The sand adds an interesting texture.”
We laugh and forget who we are until the golden light of the sun setting covers the water in flickering stained glass.In these moments I’m hit with an undeniable truth I’ll have to leave behind, hidden between the rustle of the birch trees and the fizzing sound of the waves hitting the beach.
I savor the time spent with this woman who’s too curious for her own good. I especially enjoy bringing out her feisty side and that she’s not afraid to be herself around me. Such a peculiar feeling to be somebody’s safe space.
Eliza keeps sneaking glances when our knees touch and I itch to take her hand and say the silliest things. Such as,I love the smell of your shampoo.
“Do I have a funny sunburn?”
“It’s the first time I’ve seen you so relaxed. You’re a different person.”
“Equally handsome,” I joke, to relieve the weight of her attention.
“I don’t know about that.” She pinches my chin and angles my head so she can have a better look and my heart is in my throat. Her eyes sparkle like amber in the golden glow when she traces the line of my jaw. The pink tip of her tongue slides over her lower lip when she zeroes in on my mouth and I hold my breath. To my disappointment, Eliza drops her hand and averts her gaze. “Your face has weird angles,” she says.
It’s such an innocent gesture but my insides twist and I wish she’d be bold enough and crash her lips on mine. Slim chance after I’ve been the one to pull back whenever we get too close.
Should I do it?
“It’s time to go,” she says, getting up.
The moment passes and I’m grateful I’m saved from complicating our peculiar arrangement.
“I’ve got a surprise for you,” Eliza says as we leave the little island. Her nose is red from the sun and the wind, copper strands frame her face, and her smile is so bright it tugs at my heart.
We paddle until dark falls, and she guides us toward another enclave.
“Were you waiting for nightfall to throw me in the water undetected?”
She ignores me. “In this area, bioluminescent plants and little creatures get trapped between these little islands and they bloom and multiply.”
