The finale of the movie “Jaws” ran through my head. “Do we need to leave? I don't want to upset a shark.” I didn't know what the proper procedure regarding sharks and boats was. There wasn't exactly a lot of shark education taught in landlocked states.
Izzy grinned and shook her head. “Oh no, you're fine. She doesn't care as long as you don't go down and try to pet her.”
“That wasn't on my list of things to do today,” I assured her. In fact, I was pretty sure my feet were staying up in the boat for the rest of our trip. “Why are you tracking her?”
“We just got some new tracking equipment and are testing it out.” Izzy explained indicating to the computer on their dash. “Our girl here is pregnant, so as part of my research, I've been keeping a close eye on her.”
I nodded, and looked over the side again. All I could think of was one of my dad's bad corny jokes.
Why won't sharks attack lawyers? Professional courtesy. Hardy har har.
Izzy started babbling on about her research and something about a reef and mangroves, but I was completely lost. Laws and statutes were my thing, not biology and experiments. I nodded politely, but Noah must have seen my glazed expression.
“Izzy, they don't need the taxonomical breakdown of the species,” he said gently, putting a hand on her shoulder to curb the flow of shark related words.
“That's not even close to what I was talking about,” she responded indignantly. Izzy glared up at him and then promptly looked a little bashful. She turned to Aiden. “I was going off into science mode again, wasn't I?”
“Just a little,” Aiden answered. He held his hand up with his thumb and forefinger just inches apart.
“Sorry.” She gave me a mortified smile. “I just get so excited about it I forget that not everyone is obsessed like I am.”
I grinned at her. She was absolutely adorable. Noah gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze that showed he loved her more than any words could have explained. There was a love story wrapped around the two of them that I could just see the edges of. I knew it was something beautiful.
The computer beeped, and Izzy jumped excitedly to look at it.
“What are the two of you doing for dinner?” Noah asked while Izzy evaluated the screen. “I know Izzy would love to regale someone new with her shark tales this evening.” Izzy turned and stuck her tongue out at him.
“I'm afraid we have plans,” Aiden answered quickly. “Thank you, though.”
I didn't know that the two of us had plans, but I stayed quiet and just smiled apologetically. I was very okay with having plans as long as they involved Aiden.
“That's too bad. Maybe next time?” Noah smiled, and I knew he legitimately meant it.
“That would be wonderful,” I answered. I would love to meet some of Aiden's friends.
“She's heading west,” Izzy said, pointing at the computer screen. She looked up and smiled. “It was great to meet you, Lena. Aiden, tell your brother or Olivia to call me. I can't keep up with the business they've been sending our way. I mean, it's great, but I'm going to have to hire someone if they keep it up.”
“I'll make sure he gets the message,” Aiden assured her. “It's good to see you two.”
Noah started up his boat's engine and waved as they pulled away to follow Izzy's shark. We watched them for a moment.
“So what are our dinner plans?” I asked, turning to Aiden once the boat was out of hearing.
“I was thinking room service.” Aiden gave me the cocky smile that made my knees go weak and my willpower disappear.
“Oh, that sounds nice,” I replied a little breathless. “I can see why you wouldn't want to invite them.”
“Yes.” Aiden ran his finger along my collarbone, pausing to gently stroke the fading red mark he had left earlier with his lips. “That and the fact that Izzy never stops talking about her sharks. Ever.”
Chapter 15
Laying out on a blanket with Aiden on the beach, my throat was sore from laughing so hard. I stared up at the night sky and wished on every star up there that we would always be this happy. Aiden made me laugh without even trying, and when he did try, I was completely unable to stop. He had quickly discovered that I would snort if I laughed hard enough, which he thought was hilarious. He then, of course made it his mission in life to make me snort.
I hated snorting, but I loved how hard it made Aiden laugh when I did. Once he started laughing at my snort, I would laugh even hard
er, causing me to snort again, and the two of us would be lost to an unending laughing loop until we couldn't breathe. My ribs ached and my face was sore, but I had never been so happy in my entire life.
The remnants of our dinner sat back on my porch, and we were now enjoying an evening of whispering under the stars. Aiden had selected a fabulous bottle of white wine for the two of us, and I had lost track of the time completely as the two of us lay side by side watching the galaxy spin by.