Chapter Fourteen
JULES
Sunlight dappledthe ocean floor around me, casting shimmering patterns across a coral reef teeming with life. Eli and I were diving near Sunset Siesta’s beach on the small reef that stretched just offshore. Schools of neon-bright fish darted between swaying sea fans and intricate coral formations. My heart hummed inside my chest. I still couldn’t get over that I was breathing underwater, surrounded by this aquatic paradise. Despite my turmoil at the time, agreeing to move up our check-out dives had been the best decision I’d made all week. In fact, my hesitancy was now a distant memory, replaced by the very real present.
We were midway through our fourth and final ocean dive, and I only had one more skill to demonstrate. I glanced at Eli, his powerful form gliding effortlessly beside me. He flashed me an encouraging okay signal and gestured toward a broad sandy patch. I nodded, recalling the final skill I needed to demonstrate.
Carefully, I adjusted my buoyancy, hovering just above the rippled bottom without touching it. After catching Eli’s deliberate nod of approval, we settled on the white sand on our knees, facing each other. My fingers trembled slightly as I removed my regulator and let it fall to my side, but I forced myself to remain calm.One… two… three…I counted silently before replacing it and clearing it with a forceful exhale. Relief flooded through me as I took a deep, easy breath.
Eli applauded me. He scrawled on his dive slate.
Perfect form! You’re a natural.
I flushed at his praise. As we continued exploring the reef, I found myself mesmerized not just by our spectacular surroundings, but by Eli himself. He moved through the water with a fluid grace that I envied. When a graceful sea turtle swam past, Eli’s entire being lit up with wonder. He gestured excitedly, pointing out how the turtle’s flippers propelled it effortlessly through the water.
I saw him with new eyes now. Here was a man utterly in his element, radiating competence and passion. It was magnetic. Eli caught me staring and raised an eyebrow. I quickly averted my gaze, pretending to be fascinated by a nearby tube sponge.
A flash of vivid blue and yellow caught my eye. Two queen angelfish, each a foot across, flitted near a coral outcropping, their movements mesmerizing. The turquoise crown surrounding the top of their heads gave the stunning fish their name, while the mottled, bright yellow and blue body hardly seemed real. I tapped Eli’s shoulder and pointed. He scribbled on his dive slate:
Courtship dance. Watch.
The pair of fish circled each other in an intricate ballet, their fins flaring in dazzling displays. As they twirled and swooped, I marveled at the beauty of theirdance and how few people got to experience something like this.
I smiled around my regulator, enjoying myself immensely as my eyes met Eli’s. He gestured forward, and we swam on. The reef began to thin, giving way to scattered coral heads. Then, suddenly, the seafloor dropped away entirely. Deep below, hazy white sand shimmered like a mirage.
My breath caught. The sheer magnitude of the ocean stretched out before us, beautiful and terrifying all at once.
I felt small, insignificant… and utterly alive.
A sudden movement caught my eye. Eli grabbed my arm, his touch sending a jolt through me even through the wetsuit. He pointed into the blue expanse, his eyes wide.
Three diamond shapes glided into view, their movements effortless and graceful. Eagle rays. Their wingspans must have been at least six feet across, their bodies sleek and beautiful. They soared through the water, undulating in perfect synchronization with long tails following behind.
I turned to Eli, goose bumps rising on my arms beneath my wetsuit. He met my gaze, his eyes sparkling with shared wonder. In that moment, words weren’t necessary. The beauty surrounding us, the thrill of discovery, we were experiencing it together and forging a connection deeper than I’d thought possible.
As we began our ascent toward shore, my mind reeled. The dive had been nothing short of magical, and yet I’d almost not gone through with the class. Would I have had this experience with a different instructor, as I’d originally wanted? I doubted it. Eli’s patience, his passion for the ocean, the way he’d put me at ease throughout my training. It all coalesced into a realization I couldn’t ignore.
I had feelings for him.
Real, heart-pounding, stomach-fluttering feelings that went far beyond mere physical attraction.
But as we broke the surface and stood in the shallows, pure joy overcame me. I pulled off my mask, grinning widely. “That was incredible!”
Eli’s answering smile was radiant as he gave me a gallant bow. “Welcome to the underwater world, Jules. You’re officially a diver now.”
“Thanks for being so patient with me,” I said, softer now. “I was a bit of a mess on the first dive.”
“Nah, no more than anyone else their first time in the water. It’s a pretty unique skill and something that takes time. You were great by the fourth dive.”
I laughed, the sound blending with the gentle lapping of waves against the shore. “I really appreciate you, Eli. You make this whole diving thing feel easy.”
“That’s the goal.” His tone was serious now, yet still warm. “You deserve to enjoy it. Everyone should have a little wonder in their lives.”
“Especially when surrounded by all that,” I added, motioning to the ocean, the sun’s reflection dancing on the surface. “I had no idea we’d get so close to the fish!”
“Exactly. I’ve got the best job in the world.”
As we waded back to shore, I couldn’t stop sneaking glances at him. The way the water droplets clung to his eyelashes, how his muscles rippled with each stride, was intoxicating. As my feet touched dry sand, I didn’t want this moment to end. For once, I wasn’t thinking about spreadsheets or resort renovations.
