Chapter Five
ELI
I often keptthe windows open in my bungalow. Dove Key had very little crime and I didn’t have much worth stealing. My slice of heaven was a two-bedroom oasis of sun-bleached wood and faded beach landscapes. Grabbing a mug of fresh coffee, I headed to my makeshift office—a sturdy mahogany desk I’d salvaged from a local shipyard. The rich wood bore the marks of its maritime past, and it was one of my few treasures.
“All right, then,” I muttered, sorting through four neatly stacked piles on the desktop. “Let’s get you guys ready to dive.”
I carefully packed each student’s materials into zippered pouches—textbooks, handouts, and thumb drives loaded with both the required video from the certification agency along with informal videos of me demonstrating skills underwater. Maybe I went a bit overboard sometimes, but I wanted my students prepared.
I’d been pretty shocked when Julianneagreed to find me the money for the dive computers. Her obvious discomfort at the transaction had almost made me feel sorry for standing my ground and being a dick about it. Almost.
But I was going to have a wonderful time burrowing under her skin for the next few weeks…
As I stuffed everything into my backpack, my eyes landed on an old family photo sitting on a battered set of shelves. From before the divorce. I quickly looked away. The picture of all six of us kids with both Mom and Dad was a reminder to me. A souvenir of happier times and a reminder that forever was for chumps.
I snagged my helmet and headed out. The morning air was thick with humidity and possibility as I hopped on my mountain bike. I always rode unless the weather was too awful. Pedaling down the sandy path, I let the joy of a tropical morning fill me. This was living—wind in my hair, sun on my face, heading toward a job I was born to do. I wove between palms, their fronds painting dappled shadows across the trail. In the distance, the ocean sparkled, already beckoning.
I rode through the bumpy parking lot of the resort, grateful for my bike’s suspension and acknowledging that Harper might have a point about paving it. As I neared the pier, I dismounted and carried my bike up the three steps onto the structure. I walked it beside me as I headed down, then rested it against the wall at the back of the dive shop.
Walking to the front, I strode into the shop, and the familiar, sharp scent of neoprene greeted me. One of my divemasters, Andrea, was already hustling around, her curly brown ponytail bouncing as she checked in divers for the morning trip.
“Morning, boss,” she called out, flashing me a grin. “Ready for another day in paradise?”
“You know it,” I replied, tossing her a playful salute. “How’re our divers looking today?”
Andrea jerked her thumb toward a group of excited resort guests gathered near the counter. “Raring to go.”
I laughed, making my way over to the group. “Morning, folks! Who’s ready to swim with the fishes today?”
A chorus of enthusiastic responses met my ears. I launched into my usual spiel, peppering it with jokes and reassurances. By the time I finished, even the nervous-looking diver was smiling. As I helped a couple adjust their masks, my mind wandered to the upcoming class. Julianne’s stern face flashed in my mind, and I couldn’t help but smirk. This was going to be fun. She always made me feel inadequate, like I couldn’t measure up, and I was more than looking forward to being the professional between us for a change.
With the morning trip ready for success, I gave the guests a jaunty wave and headed toward the classroom. As I entered through the open door, the energy in the room hit me like a wave. Lacey was chattering excitedly to Daniel and Randy as they sat abreast behind one of the tables.
“Good morning, eager students,” I announced, flashing my most charming smile. “Ready to take the plunge?”
Groom-to-be, Daniel Greene, and his best man, Randy, turned toward me. Daniel, his blue eyes alight, couldn’t seem to stay still. “Man, we’re so ready!” he exclaimed, his arm wrapped around Lacey. “I’ve always wanted to try diving. Not sure how practical an underwater wedding will be, but I aim to make my bride happy.”
Randy, Daniel’s slightly shorter friend and best man, nodded in agreement. The movement caused a lock of dark hair to fall forward, and he swept it back casually. “Yeah, and Daniel here needs all the practice he can get before the big day. Can’t have him floundering his way through, right?”
I laughed, appreciating their easy camaraderie. That made teaching much easier. “Don’t worry, we’ll have him diving like he was born doing it.”
As I removed the class packs from my backpack and set them evenly on the table before me, Julianne’s voice rang out. “Good morning, everyone.” I glanced up, expecting to see her in her usual buttoned-up attire. Instead, my jaw nearly hit the floor.
She strolled in wearing a faded blue T-shirt and white cargo shorts, her black hair pulled back in a messy ponytail. Gone were the severe bun and crisp business attire. This Julianne looked… relaxed. Almost approachable. And her T-shirt and shorts were tight-fitting, enough for me to get a good hint that a gorgeous body lay underneath.
I blinked, trying to reconcile this image with the uptight accountant I’d been sparring with. “Well, well,” I drawled, covering my surprise with a smirk. “Looks like someone got thecasual Fridaymemo. Except it’s Tuesday.”
Julianne pursed her lips tightly. “It’s called dressing appropriately for the activity, Coleridge. I’ll change into work clothes afterward when I start my workday.”
I glanced down at my own board shorts and light-blue Sunset Siesta Dive Team shirt, then back at her. “I’d say we’re both nailing the dress code.”
She took a seat next to Lacey. “At least you’re on time.”
I flashed a smile, happy for the opening. “I believe you were the last to arrive, not me.”
Lacey held up a hand. “Knock it off, you two. Eli, I’ve known you for a long time, so don’t think I won’t call you on your bullshit.”
“What bullshit?” I asked, full of wide eyes. “Did I lie?”
