“Are you ready?”
We’re leaving the house together for the first time. My leg is healing, but I’m staying out of the water, doctor’s orders. I don’t even mind, really. I thought I needed to surf to heal myself, and I definitely do. But I also need to heal my body and my heart after the years with Zach. I know he was telling the truth when he said he loved me and I can’t even be angry with him now, because I never really expressed how I felt about the other girls. In the end it was simply, as Axel said, that we weren’t compatible. I just didn’t know enough about myself to understand that, blaming myself for something that wasn’t anyone’s fault.
Now I know myself, thanks to Axel. Exploring my body with him has brought me to a place where I feel safe, supported. Where I can figure out who I am, and what I want. Where I can heal. I sling my bag across my torso, pressing a kiss to Axel’s cheek.
“I’m ready.”
ChapterTwenty-Eight
Axel
Ihold Jade’s hand as we walk into the medical centre, her green eyes flashing my way, her smile wide. I answer it with my own, her joy infectious.
“Hoping you can get out in those waves again?”
“Yes. Although, I’m not missing it as much as I usually would. Not sure why.” Her grin deepens, her fingers tangling with mine.
“I guess you’ve been busy.”
“Hmm, yes. Nimue is a very demanding cat. Always seems to want to be near me.”
“I can’t blame her.” I shrug. “I hope you don’t mind.”
“I don’t mind at all. In fact, I hope it doesn’t stop.” Her green gaze is ocean deep, and I’m falling into it.
“It won’t.”
We stare at each other a moment longer, and I can’t even really remember why we’re here and not in bed. Then someone calls her name.
She blinks, turning her head, the spell breaking.
“Come this way.” Dr Lestari beckons us through.
A few minutes later we’re back in the bright sunshine. Jade’s been given the all-clear to surf again, her stitches removed, though she needs to keep the wounds covered a little longer.
“So, to the beach, then?” I try to keep my tone light.
She sees right through me.
“I can surf later.”
“Are you sure? I know you have a competition coming up, and?—”
“What I have,” she says, stopping me with a soft kiss, “is another beautiful day to spend with you. And that’s what I want to do. Didn’t you say there was an artisan centre here?” Her arms come around my waist, her body pressing against mine and, honestly, she could ask me for anything in this moment and I’d give it to her.
“Hop on,” I say, jerking my head towards the nearby scooter. “And let me take you for a ride.”
We speed into the hills, the warm air smelling of cloves and green vegetation, mixed with the tang of the ocean. I love living here, love how unspoiled it is. And I’ll do whatever I can to keep it that way.
I heard back from a couple of banks when I went into the workshop, about the possibility of getting a loan. It sounds more promising than before, but nothing has been confirmed, and time is running out. Hopefully they can help us. When I say “us” I mean the community here, but also me and Jade. She’s asked me more about the shrine and what it means, and I know she’s been thinking about whatever else she can do. She’s pledged what money she can so, hopefully, having a bigger deposit will make the banks more likely to loan me the rest. I need more than theland is worth, because I know my family will play hardball and they know how much I want it.
But what I really hope is that the council will see reason. Will see that the last thing this place needs is a giant hotel. Hell, if it’s about money, I’ll give them what cash I do have, if it means stopping the sale. But we can’t do anything else until then, until we find out what the decision is going to be.
All we can do is wait.
Jade
The artisan centre is lovely, just like everything else on the island. A series of interconnected pavilions built in a traditional style, each one home to a different kind of craft. Pottery, ranging from delicate cups to huge terracotta jugs, is lined up outside one, while another contains beautifully carved wooden furniture, similar to the pieces in Axel’s living room.
