“It’s silly.” I looked down at my feet, embarrassed and wishing I hadn’t said anything. But his eyes remained steady and penetrating, and I sighed in concession, resting my cheek on my hands to look at him. “Your family business. It sounds like a community, everyone doing their part and supporting each other. Everyone’s needed.
“The way things are going with my studio right now, I’m not sure it needs me anymore. Candace—my office manager—she runs such a tight ship. And we have enough instructors even without me there. Losing my only family, not feeling like I’m needed at my own studio…”
My husband leaving me for another woman.
“I want to feel like I belong. Like I’m needed.”
Like I’m important to someone. Like I’m loved.
“And right now, I just feel alone.”
Chapter Seven
ELIAS
Sadness wound around Lena’s words and emotions. The swimming and the dolphins had lifted her mood, and her genuine happiness had brightened an already luminous day. But that persistent sadness had returned, tunneling through her contentment to steal her joy. I needed to bring her back.
“I mean, you could look at it like that.”
“I’m not sure how else to look at it.”
“Really?” My head jerked back in surprise. “Lena, you’re the reason the studio exists. You created that community. You’re the reason the business runs so smoothly. You did that. No one else.” I shrugged; her success seemed so obvious to me. “I don’t know. Sounds to me like you’re needed.”
She swallowed, and her eyes became wide and glassy, appreciation and something bordering on affection replacing the breakthrough sadness I’d sensed moments ago. Good.
“I did do that, didn’t I?” She sounded mystified by the realization.
“You sure did. And if they don’t need you looking over their shoulder every minute of every day? That’s a testament to the foundation you built.”
“Yo! E!”
My head snapped up to the source of the deep voice that severed our moment like a guillotine. Niko jogged toward us in trunks and wet hair. He stopped in front of us, hands on hips. “Hey, man. What’s doin’?”
“Hey, Niko. You remember Lena?”
“A pleasure, Lena. I’m Elias’s better-looking cousin, Niko.”
What an ass. I scowled at him, and he winked.
Lena bit her lip, suppressing a laugh. “Hi, Niko. Nice to meet you.”
“We were just drying off from a swim,” I said. “What’s up?”
“It’s gettin’ late, and I figured you’d need a reminder—you’ve got a fishing charter this afternoon.”
“Ah, shit, that’s right.” I grimaced. “Sorry, Lena. Duty calls.”
I hopped to my feet and held out a hand. She took it, and I pulled her up, not wanting to let go of her hand or our time together.
“No problem. I need to get back anyway.” She brushed the sand from her legs. “Paperwork.”
I made a face, and she laughed.
I needed an excuse to make her laugh like that again. I licked my lips, my mind working through the possibilities. “Listen. You seemed uncomfortable in the water today.”
She snorted, and it was the most adorable sound I’d ever heard. “Understatement.”
“Why don’t you let me teach you how to swim? The basics. You’ll feel more comfortable in the water, and I’ll feel more comfortable knowing you’re not going to inhale half the ocean next time you get startled.”
