Maybe Mom wasn’t completely wrong. Maybe thereisa thing called fate. Maybe thingsdohappen for a reason.
Because I know in my soul, I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
Cade
ONE YEAR LATER
“This is scarier than the horror movies Mom thought were portals for demons.”
Below me, the crystal clear spring glitters like a turquoise pool of doom. Ok, to be fair, this was my idea. Initially. Well. Sort of my idea. More like Dr. Kat suggested it and I agreed to give it a shot if— and only if— it met my specifications.
1. Has to be outdoors.
2. I have to be able to see the bottom. No ocean bullshit.
3. Seba and Andrea have to go in with me.
“Baby, we can go home if you’re not ready,” Seba murmurs, kissing the back of my neck as his large hands massage my shoulders. It feels good. Really good. Like the cool breeze and the streaks of sunshine slicing through the trees circling the quiet, natural spring. Andrea found it last month. And I’ll admit, it checks all the boxes…
But I’m still freaking the fuck out.
“Nah, I’m not chickening out again.”
“Here, I’ll get in first,” Andrea offers, stepping off the boulder we’re perched on. My heart jumps into my throat as she wades into the shallow water until it reaches her knees. She spins around with a bright smile. “See? It’s nice!”
“I’m gonna throw up.”
Sebastian’s muscular chest presses against my bare back, his arms circling me from behind. “What if I carry you?”
I bite my lip.
Pros: Seba equals safe. He’s also tall. I can climb him to get away from the water if it tries sucking me under.
Cons: We’ll still be in the water.
Pros outnumber the cons…
“If I freak out, you’ll take me out?”
“Of course, baby,” he promises. “I’ll always take care of you.”
His words penetrate my skin like the unforgiving heat.
I watch Andrea twirl, creating ripples across the calm surface.
“Ok.”
“You sure?”
“Don’t let me change my mind,” I snap.
Suddenly, I’m swept off my feet, princess style. My entire body simultaneously locks up and trembles as he confidently steps off the shore.
“Just look at our girl.”
Andrea waves, beaming at me. “You’re doing it, babe!”
Not really. Kind of. Technically. I think.
