“Thank you,” Rose whispers, her eyes still wide with wonder. “I never… I never thought I’d experience something like this.”
In response, I squeeze her ankle with a tentacle, basking in her happiness and the joy of sharing a small part of my world with her. I wish I could show her more, but her human form limits her to the ocean’s surface. She will never get to know the joy and mystery of the deep, with its reassuring darkness and pressure. However, this moment, as fleeting as the tides, will stay with me forever.
The sun is starting to lower in the sky when I finally take her back to her kayak. We’re cutting it close to our dinner plans but I can’t bring myself to rush these precious moments. As I help her back into her kayak, she leans down and kisses the top of my head, right between my eyes.
“Thank you,” she whispers. “For everything.”
I watch her paddle back to her houseboat, my hearts full and heavy at the same time. In less than an hour, I’ll be knocking on her door in my human form, taking her to dinner, wanting desperately to tell her the truth but not knowing how. For now, I sink beneath the waves, cherishing the memory of her trust, her touch, and her kiss.
CHAPTER 23
Rose
Isettle into my usual spot on the houseboat deck. Today, inspiration feels like it’s within reach. This trip has sparked something in me, a flow of creativity that I haven’t felt in ages. I’m ahead on all my paid work for once, including this branding project I’m doing for an author client. I’m making excellent progress on some logo options, and I can’t help but think that with all the extra sketches I’ve done of the coast, I’m about to walk away from this trip with a greatly expanded portfolio.
I add some finishing touches to the logo, double-checking against the client’s previous feedback to ensure I’ve captured everything she wanted. Perfect. After attaching the file to an email, I send it off, eager for the client’s feedback. Just as I press send, my phone lights up with an incoming call, and I can’t help but grin when I see Heather’s name.
“Hey, stranger!” she chirps. “I just looked at the landscape image you sent – it’s perfect! The red rock mesa is exactly what I had in mind, and the colors you chose match the yarn samplesperfectly. My clients are going to love this project. I’ve chosen an ombre shawl for them to knit, so those earthy oranges, purples, and that dusky pink will look stunning together.”
“I’m so glad you like it. Let me know if you want any changes,” I say, pleased as hell that she loves it. “I can’t wait to see how it all comes together in the craft boxes.”
“Nah, no changes needed. It’s perfect, just as it is. But forget about that for a moment; I want to talk about your hot new boy toy. Tell me everything.”
“We need to get you back on the dating scene since you’re so obsessed with my love life. You need to stop trying to live vicariously through me,” I tease.
Heather groans dramatically. “Come on! Don’t leave me hanging. Tell me how it’s going.”
My heart flutters, and I find myself smiling. “It’s… it’s amazing. He’s amazing.”
“And? Spill it – what will happen when you come home in three days?”
Three days. It’s like a distant bell ringing through me, bringing a weight I’m not ready to face. “I don’t know. I haven’t yet worked up the courage to ask the ‘what are we’ question. I keep telling myself I’ll wait for the right moment… but I’m running out of time.”
“Where is he now?”
“Out on the fishing boat. He’s been on it most of this week, helping Captain Mike. I’ll see him for dinner later… and after,” I add, trying not to blush at my words.
Heather laughs knowingly. “You, my friend, are a goner. What have you been up to while he’s out working?”
“Mostly relaxing, working on my art, and exploring the area,” I say. I leave out the part about spending time with a kraken.
Heather sighs, the way only she can when she’s about to say something blunt. “Well, you know I’m rooting for you two. Butyouneedto talk to him. Long-distance relationships work all the time. Even if it doesn’t, wouldn’t you rather know that you tried and it didn’t work out for sure than spend the rest of your life wondering?”
I chew my lip, the ache of her words settling in. Of course, she’s right. “I know, Heather. I’ll… I’ll talk to him. Promise.”
“Good. I love you, Rose. Do I still need to pick you up from the airport?”
“Yes, if you don’t mind.”
“Oh, please. Try stopping me.” She laughs again, a bright sound that makes me feel connected across the miles. We exchange our goodbyes, and I turn back to my laptop, trying to refocus. But my thoughts keep drifting to Levi and what I will say to him tonight.
I start to open another file, but all I can think about is Levi’s face when he looks at me, that warmth in his stormy eyes. Every day, I’m trying to figure out how to broach the subject, all while counting down the days until I leave with a growing sense of dread. I don’t even know where to begin, and suddenly, all my confidence after talking to Heather evaporates. Should I be direct about my feelings, or try to ease into the subject that’s been consuming my thoughts?
Time blurs as I try to focus, but my mind is a restless storm.
As I wait, my phone buzzes with a text from Levi:Hey, Rose. I might be a little late tonight. The boat’s engine is giving us trouble, so we’re working on getting it fixed. I’ll keep you posted when we’re done.
I feel a pang of disappointment, but I type back quickly:Be safe! Good luck with the boat.
