a thought—like that moment of knowing when to open up out of a flip midair—she could see what he meant. The cave she’d seen, heard, smelled, merged with the lines in front of her. She ran her fingers over the paper as if she could find a way inside. “Is this the place you called the ‘back door to Australia’?”
“Yes. That’s it. You get it.”
“This is amazing. Except none of this shows how beautiful it is.” She turned to face him.
“There’s never only one way to see something. You have to get all the different sides and versions.”
She nodded. Swallowed. Had to look away.
On his desk, she saw a white card with gold writing across the front: Congratulations! You have received an award. She picked it up and read the inside: You are invited. A night of celebration.
“Ooh. An award. What for?”
Cotton shrugged. “I’m not sure. I have to go to the ceremony to find out.”
“You have no idea? Does that make you nervous?”
“No. My mom thinks it’s for school or my online classes. Or maybe for the map work I did over the summer. Whatever it is, it’s something I already did. I don’t need to worry about it now.”
“Impressive. That’s a lot of options.”
“Was that inappropriate bragging?”
“No. You aren’t bragging. I’m curious. The only awards I’ve ever gotten were for diving.” Since he still looked uncomfortable, she added, “Tell me how you made this map.”
“Do you want to see it on the computer?” He plopped down in the chair. “Here’s the program I use.”
She moved closer, stood beside him.
He stared at the computer screen. He tilted his head, rubbing his chin and working his mouth so she knew he was thinking. He clicked on one of the icons, then another.
“This is our map.”
It looked so precise and official. Hard to believe it was based on the numbers Cotton plugged in. He could make the world look any way he wanted. More hill? No problem. A tunnel to hide in? Let’s put one right here. Except he wouldn’t invent or adjust. He liked facts and measurements. Besides, she’d been there. She could recognize the places he’d reported.
“If there’s another opening to the same cave, where would it be?”
“We won’t know until we find it.”
With Cotton sitting, she was a little bit taller than him. She glanced down at the mess of waves in his hair. It wasn’t one color. There were different shades of brown tangled around reddish highlights. The swirl of it was a little bit like the lines on his maps. She played with her own wet hair so she wouldn’t run her fingers through his. He turned suddenly and met her eyes. His stare was intense and unwavering.
If he moved to kiss her right here, right now, she wouldn’t stop him.
Her heart thumped faster, rushing her blood hot and fast throughout her, making her feel too warm, but shivery, too. Except he didn’t try. He didn’t move at all.
“Do you have a map of the quarry?” Her voice came out shaky and too thick. “Of what’s under the water?”
He turned back to the computer. After a few clicks, he pointed at the screen, helping her to read the shadows and symbols. It included the old equipment and different rock shelves. She moved closer, trying to align the image with her memory of the place.
“They searched the quarry looking for Esther. They hired divers and used underwater cameras. It allowed for updated accuracy.”
Damn.
“I’m sorry.” She immediately wished she could take the words back. She felt more than sorry. More than wishing. More. So much more.
“I think Sean had good intentions.”
Confused, Ria glanced at the chart on the screen, then back at him, trying to figure out where Sean fit in.
“I’m sure he didn’t know you’d be angry. Benny was your coach, right? Did he know you’d be upset to talk to him?”
“You’re on Sean’s side?” she asked.
“Why are there sides? It’s something that happened. You got upset and you came here.” He paused. Then said, “Why are you here, Ria?”
Maybe it was as simple as the fact Cotton didn’t know Benny. He didn’t have anything to do with diving. He was completely separate from that part of who she used to be. “Because we’re friends. Aren’t we?”
“I don’t know,” said Cotton.
He turned in his chair suddenly, away from her. It was clear he was done with their conversation. It was like she’d disappeared. He wouldn’t meet her eyes, not even when she said, “Do you want me