What the hell have I been doing? I suppose I could blame the fact that I’ve been completely dazzled by Axel, wanting nothing more than to be with him. It’s knocked pretty much everything else clean out of my mind. I grab my phone, wandering around until I find the best signal. Then I make a call. It’s answered after a few rings. “Hello, Jade?” The voice is deep, masculine.
“Myles!” I sigh his name, relief washing through me. “Yes, it’s me. Do you have a minute to talk?”
* * *
A few hours later I head down to the jetty. A small boat approaches, gleaming white against the clear blue water. Ihaven’t told Axel, haven’t told anyone what I’m trying to do, because I don’t know whether or not Myles can help.
Myles and I are sailing around Indonesia looking at a few places.
Zara’s email. I could kick myself for not thinking of it earlier. Myles literally has a foundation dedicated to saving special places; surely he’ll want to help when he sees the cave.
I think of the jungle image I saw on Instagram before I came here, how it had the same ancient dreaming feel, a place where people have come to find peace for a very long time. And he’s literally in the area– honestly, it couldn’t have worked out any better. Knowing Myles, he’s mixing business with pleasure; I seem to remember Zara talking about some surf filming in Bali a while back, as well as Myles wanting to check out local artisans. I stand on the long jetty, shading my eyes with my hand, hope rising in my chest.
A tall figure clad in rumpled linen, his tousled dark hair pushed back by sunglasses, steps ashore. He says something to the driver of the tender, who nods then turns the boat around, heading back into the bay. A sleek white motor yacht is moored in the distance, and I spot the tiny figure of Zara on the top deck, her long hair blowing in the breeze.
“Myles!” I wave, running over to him.
“Jade.” Myles’s smile is wide, and he pulls me into a warm hug. “You’re lucky you caught me. Zara, Max and I are going home tomorrow.”
“Thank you so much for coming,” I say.
Myles looks well, tanned and lean, light in his eyes. Like I say, I’ve known him for years, but he always seemed a little reserved, like he was holding back some part of himself. But all that changed when he met Zara. I know they had a bit of drama when they first got together– Zara told me some of it, though I know she didn’t tell me everything– but it’s been very much plain sailing since then. I don’t think I’ve ever seen two people so in love with each other.
“I’m glad I could make it.” His grey gaze roves over me. “You okay?” A frown flickers on his brow.
“Uh, yeah.” Despite my email, this still feels slightly awkward, as Zach and I did so much business for Ocean’s Curl when we were a couple. But we don’t need to pose together anymore. We can still sell surf clothing when we’re with other people. “Look, I’m sorry about Zach and?—”
“Jade.” Myles stops me. “You need to do what’s right for you. Zara and I just want to know you’re all right. We’ve checked in with Zach, too.”
“Oh?” We walk back along the jetty, towards the shore. There are a couple of surfers out in the water, palms swaying softly in the breeze. It’s paradise. Yet my old world has come crashing in. This is for a good cause, I remind myself, as I lead Myles along the pathway to the road.
Myles rubs the back of his neck, glancing at me. “He’s kind of a mess. His people are shutting down a lot of stuff, but he’s all over the place.”
I don’t know what to say. I know I’m going to have to face things when I leave the island, but I just want to stay here with Axel.
“Hey, this isn’t on you. I’m just letting you know, for when you come back. You are coming back for the invitational, right? We’ve also got some new gear we’d be keen for you to try.”
“I got injured.” I indicate the scars on my leg. “So I’ve pulled out of the invitational. But I’ll be there for the next comp. And whatever else you need.” We pass under the timber archway at the edge of Axel’s property. I head for the jungle path, feeling irrationally guilty, even though I know Myles would be straight with me if he had a problem with anything I’m doing. Then I realise he isn’t following me.
“You coming?” I turn.
He’s standing at the edge of the jungle. “Where are you taking me?” He’s frowning, but one corner of his mouth is curved.
“Follow me,” I say. “It’s not far.”
A few minutes later we’re at the base of the cliff. I pull back the vines, revealing the jagged opening in the rockface.
Myles doesn’t say anything, but his broad shoulders are tense as he follows me into the darkness. I grab his hand, pulling him through to the other side.
Amazement ripples across his face. His lips part, his eyes widening as he takes in the pool, the carved stones and the emerald ferns, the beams of light from above.
“What is this place?” His voice is hushed, reverent.
“It’s sacred. An ancient water temple.”
He walks towards the pool and stands at the edge, looking up at the light coming through the crevices in the ceiling, not saying anything for a moment. Then he turns, his hands on his hips. “Why did you bring me here?”
“Because I want you to buy it. For your foundation.” I chew my lip, my hands twisting together. I know this is a big ask. But I’ll do it. I’ll do anything to help Axel, to help the island.
