“Trust me, just lie back. The boat isn’t going to tip over. I’m right behind you.”
“I don’t think I can move. Seriously. I’m terrified.”
“Nairie, listen to my voice.”
I tried to focus.
“Breathe in.”
I sucked in a tiny gasp of air.
“Breathe out.”
We did this a few times until I took in a proper deep breath.
“Alright, now slowly lean back into me. I’m right here.”
I kept a grip on my paddle and my eyes tightly shut but let my back fall inch by inch.
The back of my shoulders brushed against his knees, and my head rested in his lap.
William took his hand and gently caressed my face. “Open your eyes.”
I peeked one eye open and then the other. Above, the black sky was littered with sparkling stars, illuminating him like the mystical night king of my dreams.
“Oh . . .” I breathed out.
William smiled, his eyes glittering like the starry sky above. “I wanted to show you the view on the water.”
He stroked my cheek with his thumb, and I smiled up at him. “Okay, this isn’t so bad.”
William chuckled. “Glad we came out?”
“Well, I could have done without the panic attack.”
“Let’s just wait here until you’ve calmed down.”
“Deal.”
We both stared at the sky for a long time. William pointed out some constellations, and we were able to see a couple of shooting stars. He absentmindedly stroked my cheek as he spoke about some of his missions around the world, and my anxiety slowly melted away.
Eventually, I mustered enough courage to get back up and paddle to shore. We changed out of our wetsuitsand brought some firewood from William’s trunk toward a nearby firepit.
He brought some hot dogs for us to roast, and we sat side by side, waiting for them to cook. He put his jacket over my shoulders and hung his arm around me.
I looked at him and smiled, embarrassed about my reaction on the water. “Sorry for freaking out.”
He returned my smiled. “No need to apologize. Do you get panic attacks often?”
“Not often.” I shifted uncomfortably. “Just when I’m out of my comfort zone. Or if I’m really stressed. And sometimes when I hear the heater turn on at the house, it makes this really scary noise. But that’s it.”
William laughed. “You and I lead very different lives.”
I snorted. “Yes, we do. I know you love this adventure stuff.”
“It helps calm my nerves, actually.”
“Oh?”
