stop. “You know what? It’s not important right now. Just take my hand and tell yourself you’ve got this.”
She nods, and it’s obvious she’s trying to put on a brave face as I take her to the stern and show her how to release the anchor. “That doesn’t look too hard. I got it.”
“You do.”
“Will it stop when the anchor reaches the bottom?”
“No. And as soon as we’ve got enough chain, I’ll tell you to stop it.”
“If you’re not here, how do you know?”
“I’m a pro, honey. Since we’re only staying out here a couple of hours, we’ll let out the scope about three to one. If we were staying overnight, I’d have you let it out more like five to one.” When she looks at me blankly, I laugh. “Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.”
She nods, and I kiss her until she loses a bit of her starch. But with us, one kiss turns into another, then a few more. Hell, why not make it a dozen? Then…who’s counting?
Reluctantly, I lift my head to realize she’s breathing hard and turning pink. And since she’s wearing sunscreen with SPF one billion, I don’t think she’s getting burned.
God, everything about her fascinates me. Today can’t be the beginning of our end. It has to be the start of our future.
“Trace? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“It’s time.” I kiss her nose. “Just listen for my go and lift the lever. When I say so, lower it again. That’s it.”
“Got it.”
I kiss her one last time, then head to the helm. Once we’re over the spot I chose, I give her the signal. The anchor goes down on its bridle, then I reverse the engines just slightly until the anchor seats. I tell Masey to lift the lever, then I shut the engine down.
Now the fun can start.
“I did it!”
I jog down to where she’s standing uncertainly and take her hand. “You did. See? Now we’re going to swim, and it’s going to be great. I promise.”
“I’m a little sad Ranger isn’t here.”
“Next time.” If there’s a next time. Just not now. I love my boy, but today is about Masey and me. “Besides, he’s having fun with cousin Nolan. Snacks first? Or you just want to take the plunge?”
“Decisions, decisions. Do I want to throw up first or risk drowning?”
Now she’s being melodramatic, and her silly smile tells me she knows it. “Stop with the worst-case scenarios. I want today to be special.”
She’s so fucking close to telling me she loves me, I can taste it.
“I know. And I’m teasing you about being terrified—mostly. Let’s swim first.”
“Let’s do it.”
One of my favorite things about this boat is the easy access to the water. We just have to walk down a couple of stairs—and jump right into the warm Pacific.
At the bottom step, I dive in headfirst. I’ve been out here a thousand times. I bring a lot of people here for sunset champagne cruises, so I know this spot well. It’s warm and it’s clear and it’s deserted on a Monday afternoon.
When I emerge again, I swim up to the boat and hold out my arms to Masey. “Jump, honey.”
She hesitates. “I’m afraid.”
Eventually, I’ll teach her to swim. Right now, I just need to prove that water isn’t her enemy. “You trust me?”
“Yes,” Masey answers without hesitation.
To some people, that might not be a big deal. To me, it’s massive. Masey doesn’t trust easily, and it’s another indication of how far we’ve already come together.
“I love you. Jump. I’ll catch you. Always.”
She drags in a deep breath, looking nervous as hell. Then she nods and takes a leap of faith, landing right in my arms.
I bring her close and reward her with a kiss. “The water feels good, right?”
After a pause, she cocks her head. “It does.”
She sounds surprised, but I’m not. “Good. I work out here a lot, but it never feels like work, you know? I love the island and the breeze and the people who are all just loving life when they’re with me. Take a deep breath and relax.”
“I’m trying. When I was four, I went to a cousin’s house. I was playing out by the pool when I tripped and fell in. If my uncle hadn’t been right there to save me…”
Oh, shit. “Do you remember it?”
“Not the details, but I’ll never forget the panic. And the water closing in over my head as I realized that I couldn’t get back up to the