He lifts his feet out of the water as he yelps. The sudden jolt of him moving backwards as he splashes in the water, makes me giggle.
A flipper grazes against my shin and when I look down through the glistening surface of the water, a large turtle swims around me. “It’s just a turtle, silly.” I splash water at Finn as I burst into a fit of giggles. “Funny that you own a boat, but are scared of sea life.”
He splashes me back. “I’m not scared. I didn’t know what it was.” He treads towards me, closing the distance between us. He slips his arm around my waist, pulling me flush with his chest. “There’s only one thing I fear, turtle girl.”
“Oh yeah. What’s that?”
“Being rejected by you.” His fingers graze my cheek and I suck in a breath.
“Is that why you haven’t kissed me yet?” My chin rests on the surface of the ocean as my mouth parts. The water laps at the pulsing in my throat, beating faster with each passing second that he’s gazing at me. “I wouldn’t reject you.”
“Good to know.” He lies back and swims away with a smirk.
I swim after him, pushing water over his smug face. “Are you ever going to kiss me?”
He laughs, pulling his wet hair back from his forehead. “You want me to kiss you?”
“I just want to know how many more of these dates I’m going to have to endure.”
The turtle lifts its large flipper out of the water, causing Finn to flinch. Another brushes against my leg and it must catch Finn as he lifts his legs up again, making me giggle.
“They’re just curious what you’re doing. Stay still and let them come to you.” I rest my hand on his shoulder.
“They’re huge compared to the babies yesterday. I’ve never seen them this big. Not in person. Unless you count the Ninja Turtles I met when I was ten.”
Another giggle leaves my lips. “You liked the Ninja Turtles?”
“Of course I did. They fought crime and are named after my favourite artists.” He jerks his body backwards as another turtle circles our feet.
“They won’t hurt. They’re a positive omen. When one comes to you, it’s a sign of good luck.” My fingers glide along the shell as the turtle breaches the water, the bone smooth against my palm.
“Does that mean I’m going to get lucky today?” He raises an eyebrow and I squeeze my thighs together.
“You’re already lucky I’m here. Don’t push it.” I take Finn’s hand and guide it to the shell.
He smoothes a hand over the green patterns. “Incredible.”
“They live to about one hundred. They used to thrive here, but over the years, I’ve noticed less and less as their home’s slowly taken away, piece by piece.”
“I see why you fight strongly for them, after whathappened with your own home.” Finn strokes the shell again, his fingers tracing the shapes.
“They’re my spirit animal.”
“I wonder what mine is.”
I tilt my head, studying him for a moment. “A peacock.”
He furrows his brow. “I don’t think so.”
“You flex like one.” I giggle, waving my hand towards the boat.
“Oh, I can flex all right. And I have the stamina of a stag, the strength of a bear, and the patience of a fucking saint, waiting for you to admit your feelings for me.”
“I thought I’d made my feelings obvious.” The pulse quickens in my neck.
“I know how you feel. I wasn’t sure if you knew.”
“I’ve been waiting for you to kiss me.” I kick my legs and move my arms to push myself closer to Finn, offering myself up to him in case he needs any more confirmation of what I want.
