“I couldn’t. I got on that plane and instead of feeling excited about catching a big break, all I could think about was what I was leaving behind. All I could think about was you.”
“You don’t even know me,” I volleyed back.
“I know you, Mariella. You’re stronger than you think you are. You’re loyal to a fault and have a heart bigger than the Pacific Ocean.”
Shyla nodded. “I’d say he knows you pretty damn well, Mar.”
He was right. He did know me. He knew me on a deeper level than I wanted to acknowledge to myself.
“And I think you know a lot about me,” Kai continued.
“I know you’re a runner,” I said. “When someone gets too close, you freak out and try to run away. I can’t be with a runner, Kai.”
Shyla turned toward him, along with the couple on the boat. Even Bryan seemed invested in the conversation. The five of us didn’t make a sound while we waited for him to respond.
“I’m done running. All this time I thought I was running away, but it turns out I was running toward something.” He pulled himself up to stand on the side of the boat. “I was running toward you.”
I stood, needing to get closer to him, unable to hold back my feelings any more. At that moment, he stepped off the side of the boat and disappeared under the water. My heart seized, and I didn’t hesitate. I took a deep breath then flipped backward, entering the water in a move I’d done thousands of times before.
It took me a moment to realize what I’d done, then I started swimming toward the other boat. Kai met me halfway and immediately crashed his lips into mine.
“What was that? You scared the crap out of me, Kai.” I splashed water at his face then immediately pulled him close to kiss him again.
“I love you, Mariella. Seems unbelievable after only one night, but I’ve never been as sure about something as I am about my feelings for you.” He kicked his feet to keep his head above the water.
“I love you, too.” I wrapped my fingers around his arm and tugged him toward the boat. “Come on, let’s get back to the boat.”
“Only if you promise you’ll be mine.” He reached up to turn my face toward his. “I need to know you’ll be my sea star.”
“I will.” The words left my mouth, binding us together in a way that only we could understand.
“So, this might not be the right time, but seeing as how you’re already in the water…” Kai grinned as I looked around.
“Oh, my God. I’m in the water.” My lungs seized and for a split second, I panicked. Then his hand grabbed mine. My breathing regulated. Instead of feeling like the water would pull me under, I felt like it was there to support me. I stretched out on my back and let it lift me.
“Should we go thank the Emerald Princess for bringing us together? I figure she deserves the credit.” Kai laid back and floated next to me. “Are you ready to get back to diving?”
“I think I am.”
We climbed back onto the boat, then Shyla anchored close enough for Kai to transfer his gear over. I didn’t know where the tides would take us, but I could be sure about one thing. Kai and I belonged together.
He’d given me my life back, and I wanted to spend the rest of it with him. I couldn’t ask for anything more than that.