Nate’s nearly at eye level and his face interrupts my stare at the water.
“You good?”
While looking at him, I am. That’s the power he has over me. The power I don’t know how long he’s had. “I’m okay. This is just a lot worse than I thought it would be.”
“You’ve done a lot. More than I thought you’d be willing to. I’m really proud of you, berry.”
I know he has his reservations about this, but I also know he’ll let me do whatever I need in order to get over this. That’s the thing about him. He can push, but he can also offer quiet support.
Keeping my eyes on him, I decide to go one step farther. I slowly uncurl my legs and look him in the eye as I dip my feet into the water.
“Holy shit. You good?”
“I’m fine.” My voice shakes. “Freaking out, but fine.”
“Look at you go.”
The pride in his voice makes me tempted to continue. I like it when he has that warm tone to him. But I know I’m at my limit. Even the water being over my feet is terrifying.
It’s warmer than I expect. And having my feet completelysubmerged in it feels odd. I don’t know how my own limbs work or how to make sure I move correctly in water. That’s how I’ve almost drowned far too many times.
My moment of triumph is interrupted by a group of guys at the other end of the pool.
“Cannonball!” one of them yells as he launches himself into the water. Ripples erupt from where he disappears and I yank my feet out.
“Obi Wan,” I say. “That was enough.”
“They’re rowdy,” he says with a sigh. “You still did good, though.”
“You could stay,” I say. “You just got in.”
“Surprisingly, I’ve had enough water for the day. Mind if I shower and then we get dinner?”
“Dinner sounds good. And I can hear about how snorkeling went.”
He laughs. “That will be one hell of a story.”
chapter eighteen
Nate,of course, waits until I’m mid-drink to tell me the worst part of the day.
“So, the only person who could pee on his leg was me.”
I nearly shoot my water through my nose. “I’m sorry,you?”
“Yes.”
“You peed on Aaron’s leg.”
“Unfortunately.”
“After he got stung by a jellyfish.”
“He begged me to,” Nate defends. “Turns out, peeing on someoneisn’twhat you’re supposed to do. We got an earful from the nurse on board.” He shakes his head, lips pressing together. I have to cover my mouth. I want to laugh so badly. He knows. “Don’t you dare.”
“It’s kinda funny, though.”
“Pissing on a near-stranger’s leg isnotfunny.”
