Good thing the Pacific Ocean is so damn cold.
After the tour concludes, we are able to keep the wetsuits for a while longer to just enjoy the water on our own. Every few minutes, she thanks me again for bringing her snorkeling. After several hours, my rumbling stomach reminds me we haven’t eaten since breakfast and I finally convince Sophia it’s time to turn our gear back in and head back to dry land. She has been more animated and talkative than I have ever seen her as she describes everything she saw and how incredible it was for her.
We take a short walk to a local restaurant and ask to be seated in one of their sidewalk café seats, since we’re not really presentable for a more expensive restaurant at the moment. Sophia is still smiling and glowing with happiness and I’m proud to be the man who gave her that look. Pulling her hand to my mouth, I kiss each knuckle, then turn her hand over and kiss her palm.
“What was that for, Dom?” she asks innocently.
“For being you,” I answer truthfully. I have no other reason. The slight pink tinge of embarrassment creeps up her neck and into her cheeks again. “How can you still be embarrassed in front of me?”
She shrugs, as if her answer means nothing, and says, “I’m not used to getting compliments. You always give them and it embarrasses me.”
“Well, I will just have to keep complimenting you until you get used to them. Don’t you think?”
The waitress arrives with our food, saving Sophia from actually answering that question. My plan is already devised in my mind. It’s time to fully initiate Sophia into my world.
