CHAPTER 8
Rose
The sun sets as Levi and I make our way down the beach. The air is filled with laughter, clinking bottles, and the crackle of bonfires. The scent of woodsmoke mingles with the salty sea air, and I take deep, soul-cleansing breaths. The tang of salt and the steady rhythm of the waves work their magic, leaving me feeling refreshed despite our long day at sea.
“Where should we take the fish?” I ask Levi, raising my voice slightly to be heard over the festive atmosphere.
He scans the beach and then nods towards a massive grill near the center of the gathering. “Over there,” he says. “See that big guy manning the grill? That’s where we need to go.”
As we approach, I can’t help but stare at the man Levi pointed out. ‘Big’ is an understatement – he’s a veritable giant, towering over the grill with arms as thick as tree trunks. His wild, bushy beard and unruly mane of hair give him the appearance of a lumberjack or perhaps even a bear that’s wandered out of the woods and decided to try its paw at grilling.
Next to the massive grill stands a long prep table, already laden with various marinades and seasonings and an assortment of fresh seafood, meats, and vegetables waiting to be grilled.
“Hey, Conall!” Levi calls out as we approach. “We’ve brought some fresh catch for the grill.”
Conall turns to us, his face splitting into a wide grin. “Well, well! If it isn’t our fledgling tour guide! And who is this?” His voice is a deep rumble that seems to vibrate in my chest. As we approach, I notice flecks of grey at his temples, making him appear older than I’d initially thought.
“I’m Rose. Levi took me fishing today,” I say, holding out my hand to Conall. He engulfs my hand in his, and I’m struck by how small mine feels in comparison, completely dwarfed by his large, calloused palm.
“Let’s see what you’ve got there,” he says, his eyes twinkling with interest as he releases my hand, nodding towards the cooler.
We set the cooler on the prep table, and Levi opens it to reveal our Atlantic cod. A collective “Ooh!” rises from the small crowd that’s gathered around us, drawn by the prospect of seeing the day’s catch.
Conall lets out a low whistle of appreciation. “Now that’s a beauty,” he says, reaching in to lift the fish. “You caught this?”
I nod, feeling a flush of pride. “Although I had a lot of help from Levi.”
“Don’t be modest, Rose,” Levi interjects, beaming. “She reeled this one in all by herself. You should have seen her – she’s a natural.”
A chorus of impressed murmurs ripples through the onlookers. Someone in the back calls out, “Looks like Levi’s lost his title as king of the sea!”
Laughter erupts, and though Levi joins in, I catch the subtle shift in his posture – shoulders tensing, smile tightening atthe corners. Being the center of attention clearly makes him uncomfortable, though he’s trying his best to play along. “I think I can live with that,” he says with a wink that seems calculated to redirect everyone’s focus elsewhere. Even knowing it’s just deflection, my heart still does a traitorous little flip in my chest. He’s so adorably awkward.
Conall nods approvingly. “Well, Rose, you should be proud. This’ll feed quite a few hungry mouths tonight.”
Despite his intimidating size, something about his sparkling eyes and how he’s laughing with the people around him puts me at ease. I conclude that with a bit of grooming, he’d be quite handsome in a rugged, mountain man way.
Levi steps forward, rubbing his hands together. “Need any help with the grilling, Conall? I’m pretty handy with the tongs.”
Conall’s posture shifts ever so slightly, using his massive frame to block Levi from the grill. “Thanks, but I’ve got it under control,” he says, his tone friendly but firm, clicking the tongs in his other hand in a proprietary way. “Why don’t you two go enjoy the party? I’ll shout when the food’s ready.”
I can’t help but chuckle at Levi’s slightly crestfallen expression. “Come on,” I say, tugging gently at his arm. “Let the man work his magic. My dad’s the same way about the grill – it’s like his personal kingdom.”
Levi laughs, allowing me to lead him away.
We wander over to one of the bonfires, where a group of people are gathered, chatting and laughing. A woman with long, silver hair notices us and waves us over.
“You must be Rose.” Her voice is warm and rich with what sounds like a Russian accent. “Koko mentioned you’d be here tonight. I’m Yelena, and that’s my husband Ivan over there.” She gestures toward a tall, broad-shouldered man talking animatedly with a small group nearby. As if sensing her attention, Ivan glances over, his eyes crinkling with a smile ashe waves. Yelena waves back, and he responds by blowing her a kiss before returning to his conversation. She watches him for a moment, lost in a private thought, then shakes herself and bends to open a cooler at her feet. “Want a beer?”
“Thank you,” I say, accepting the cold can gratefully. Levi also takes one, and we settle onto driftwood logs arranged around the fire. The warmth of the flames and the beer combine to create a cozy atmosphere, and I find myself relaxing into the evening.
As I’m about to take another sip of my beer, I notice a couple approaching our group. They walk with easy intimacy, the woman’s arm wrapped around the man’s waist and his arm draped casually over her shoulders. The woman has wavy brown hair and a warm smile, and she waves at Levi with her free hand as they draw near. The man beside her is strikingly handsome – tall and athletic, with a deep olive complexion. His dark hair falls in subtle waves, framing wide-set eyes so dark they seem to absorb the firelight.
“Lily! Rav!” Levi calls out, standing to greet them. “I’m glad you could make it.” I’m struck by how his whole demeanor changes – the slight tension he’s carried all evening seems to melt away. Unlike his polite but reserved interactions with everyone else he’s introduced me to tonight, there’s an easy familiarity in how he greets them, as if these two are among the few people he truly lets his guard down around.
“Rose, these are good friends of mine,” Levi says, turning to me. “Lily and Rav.” There’s something almost protective in how he says it like he’s sharing something precious. I notice how he emphasizes “good” – not just friends, but good friends – and I realize that for Levi, this distinction matters. I assume he’s the type who prefers a small circle of close friends to a wide network of casual acquaintances.
Lily embraces Levi warmly. “We wouldn’t miss it,” she says, her voice melodious and kind. Beside her, Rav maintains a quiet presence, his large dark eyes seeming to take in everything at once. When his gaze falls on me, I feel a strange sensation, as if I’m being studied. It’s not unfriendly, exactly, but there’s an intensity to it that is slightly unnerving. He offers a polite nod but remains silent.
