SABRINA
Itook advantage of Cota thinking I didn’t understand and took off running. It felt good to run free and laugh without being scolded. It was a favorite game to play with the other dancers when we were children. Anything to get through the long days, and there were many of them. I used to wish for my parents to visit so I could tell them how many times I won so they would be proud, but they were never interested in anything but my dancing.
“Cota, I am sorry that I tricked you back there, but you will now know you better be watching.” I laughed as I boarded the yacht. “Wow.”
“I know, it’s amazing, isn’t it?” Jade said, walking up next to me. “It took me some time to get used to it myself.”
“I don’t know if I will ever get used to all of this lifestyle Cota lives.” I looked back to see Cota boarding with Sawyer. “I think this will be a fun day.”
“Yeah, it will. We get to explore some new islands. I can’t wait.” Jade lowered into a lounge chair.
“Is the rest of the family as nice as Sawyer and Cota?”
Jade didn’t hesitate for even a second. She just smiled and nodded yes. I was too excited to sit, so I made my way to the front of the yacht to have the best view of everything in front of us. For some reason, I thought Sawyer would be driving the boat, so I was confused as we pushed off the dock and both men appeared at the front of the yacht beside me.
“How nice for you that you don’t have to drive and instead can enjoy the beauty of all of this.” I said to Sawyer. “I see why you live here instead of the city.”
“Well, you may visit as often as you want, even if he doesn’t want to.” Sawyer nodded toward Cota. “I’m sure Jade will be thrilled to have you here often to help her with the wedding plans. I’m going to join my fiancée. You two have fun up here.”
“Do you feel bad that you didn’t get to have a wedding?” Cota asked without looking at me. “It was all so rushed. I’d bet it made you disappointed.”
“Yes, it did, or does, make me wonder what it would have been like to have a wedding. But I am very used to disappointment, so I no longer think of it.”
“Sabrina, I’m sorry about that.” Cota leaned on the railing, looking away from the water. “We can have a wedding.”
“I thank you, Cota, but I do not need a wedding. I am just so happy to be a free person.” I leaned the same as him. “Now, no more talk of this. Which island are we going to first?”
“We’ll be going about fifteen minutes out. The closer islands are already owned.” Cota pointed ahead.
“And you look at these for what?” I asked.
“We want to build an exclusive resort for people to get away in luxury.” Cota gestured to the blueprints. “I have lots of ideas.”
“You should go discuss those ideas with Sawyer. I will join Jade and keep working on my new tan.”
We spent the next two hours getting close to various islands but never stopping to investigate, until we finally anchored. The men called out that they were going ashore to look around. Jade and I decided we’d rather stay in the shallow waters looking for sand dollars. Forty minutes later wxxe had just gotten back on the yacht and wrapped in a towel.
“Look,” Jade pointed to the open water, “dolphins.”
“Are these the friendly ones?” I leaned over the railing as they came closer.
“They are all friendly. Would you like to swim with them?” Jade asked. “You are doing very good with your swimming.”
“This water looks very deep. I’m not so sure I am ready.”
“Hey, the dolphins are here. Let’s swim with them,” Cota said, joining us at the railing. “You’ve been waiting for your chance.”
“Yes, but it is very deep here.”
“I can solve that problem.” Sawyer called the yacht captain. “Move us as close as you can to the island.”
We watched as the yacht grew closer to the shore. The water still seemed deep, but not near as much. I looked around to see everyone removing their shirts or swimsuit covers. It appeared I was not going to get out of doing this.
They wouldn’t let me drown. I should trust them and do it.
I unbuttoned the coverup I was wearing and walked to the railing, looking from Jade to Cota.
“Last one in is a rotten egg,” Cota yelled, then hopped over into the water.