Bryn screamed almost the entire way down. I let out a whoop, and before I knew it, I was hitting the water, the impact almost as shocking as the drop had been. I kicked my way back to the surface, only to find that Bryn was already there, waiting for me. She was laughing, and I could hear Allie cheering on her sister.
I swam over to Bryn, snagging the paddleboard on the way. I didn’t even have to ask if she was good; I could tell from her smile.
“That was terrifying,” she panted, smiling the entire time. “But also liberating.”
I nodded. I couldn’t have said it better myself. We hadn’t just physically launched ourselves off a cliff; we’d taken a leap of faith. Our jump had been about so much more than just pushing our physical limits. Our mental ones had felt the impact as well.
I pushed the paddleboard toward her, and she hung on, the two of us facing each other in the shadow of the cliff. The water lapped at the rock wall, and it felt as if we were completely alone. Everyone else was snorkeling, not paying us any attention anymore.
I lifted my hand to Bryn’s cheek. “That was incredible,” I said. “Youwere incredible.”
Part of me still couldn’t believe she’d done that, and yet it also made complete sense. I thought about the way she’d looked at me when she’d said,“Life is meant to be lived.”And I thought about her desire to stop letting her head run the show.
Maybe it was the adrenaline rush or the words she’d said, but I was sick of talking myself out of pursuing a relationship with Bryn. I wanted more, and her leap of faith emboldened me to take one of my own.
I inched closer, and she seemed to drift toward me as well. I dragged my thumb across her lips, imagining tasting the saltfrom them. I was done waiting to feel “ready.” It was time to take the leap.
I cupped her cheek. I was about to brush my lips against hers when she said, “Frasier.”
“Yeah?” Could she tell how nervous I was? Was she trying to stop me before I crossed that line? Was she trying to let me down gently?
“I know we kissed the other night as part of the dare. But I don’t want you to feel like you have to kiss me or do anything that makes you uncomfortable because of…you know.”
I barked out a laugh. “Haveto kiss you?”
Was she for real right now?
The only reason I’dhadto kiss her was because I’d been desperate to. Yes, the dare had been a convenient excuse. Just like our fake relationship was a convenient excuse. But I’d wanted to kiss Bryn.
Our legs tangled as we treaded water. “First of all, no one forced me to do anything I didn’t want to do.” I tucked her hair behind her ear.
She released her bottom lip, and I watched with satisfaction as it slowly lowered until she was sporting a little “o.” Her gaze searched mine.
I trailed my knuckles down her jawline, and she sucked in a jagged breath. The moment felt fragile and delicate because the stakes were so high. Like jumping off the cliff into Little Bay but even more so.
“And, Bryn?” I said, feeling more confident as she licked her lips, her eyes darting to mine. “The next time I kiss you, there will be no doubts about me wanting you.”
She flashed me a shy smile, peering at me from beneath her lashes. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Thank fucking god.If we’d been standing on the edge of the cliff right now, I would’ve been convinced I could fly. That was how light I felt in that moment.
It was so tempting to do it, to close the distance and take what I wanted. But her family was floating nearby, and I didn’t want there to be any question in either of our minds. When I kissed Bryn again—and I would—I wanted her to know that it wasn’t part of a fake relationship or a dare. It was real.
“So am I.” I guided her hand to my mouth, watching her as I pressed a kiss to her palm.So am I.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“Soo…” Allie hooked her arm through mine as we walked along the beach. We were waiting for a few more people to arrive so we could start the rehearsal. She was wearing a beautiful white dress, more casual than her wedding gown but still very bridal. “Are you and Frasier still taking things slow after last night?”
I laughed. “Real subtle, Al.”
She laughed, leaning into me. “Well, we both know that subtlety is not always my strong suit.”
It was a gentle nod to our conversation from yesterday—a reference to both the things she’d said and the fact that she’d been obvious about her teenage crush on Frasier. I smiled, feeling at peace for the first time in a long time.
The sun sparkled on the water as it faded into the horizon. It was a gorgeous evening, and it promised to be a fitting end to a fantastic day. After snorkeling, our group had been ravenous. We’d eaten lunch at a local place in town, and it had been phenomenal. I’d had the fried fish with pigeon peas and rice, and I couldn’t remember enjoying food as much as I had on this trip.
“No, but I still love you.”
