22. Maya

Chapter twenty-two

Maya

A fter a few hours of restless sleep, I wake up feeling slightly more grounded. The events of the past 24 hours are still fresh in my mind, but knowing Levi is safe and the poachers have been apprehended brings a sense of relief. I take a moment to collect myself before heading out to meet Levi.

We decided to meet at the beach, a place that has always brought me peace. As I walk along the shoreline, the waves gently lapping at my feet, I see Levi waiting for me. He looks tired but relieved, a small smile playing on his lips when he sees me.

"Hey," I say softly as I approach him.

"Hey," he replies, taking my hand. "How are you holding up?"

"I'm better now," I admit. "Just trying to process everything."

He nods, understanding. "Me too."

We walk in comfortable silence for a while, letting the rhythmic sound of the waves soothe our frayed nerves. Eventually, we find a spot to sit down, and Levi turns to face me.

"We've been through a lot," he says, his voice gentle. "But we still have work to do. The project, the turtles... we need to finish it."

I smile, appreciating his dedication. "You're right. Now that we know what's been causing the decline, we can focus on helping the population recover."

"And we can work on raising awareness," I add. "Get the community involved in conservation efforts. The more people who know about the situation, the better."

Levi nods, his eyes lighting up with enthusiasm. "Exactly."

I look at him, feeling a surge of warmth. "I'm glad you were the boat captain that the center hired, Levi. I admire your dedication to the preservation of the turtles."

He reaches out, gently brushing a strand of hair from my face. "I've missed you, Maya. Collaborating with you has reminded me how much I care about you."

My heart skips a beat at his words. "I feel the same way, Levi. Being with you again has brought back so many memories. It makes me realize how much you still mean to me."

He takes my hand, his grip warm and reassuring. "I don't want to lose you again. Not after everything we've been through."

I squeeze his hand, feeling tears prick at my eyes. "You won't."

Levi and I continue to sit in companionable silence, the weight of the past days slowly lifting from our shoulders. The beach, with its soothing waves and soft sand, feels like a sanctuary. Here, with Levi, I feel safe and hopeful for the future.

Levi stands and offers me his hand. "Come on, let's take a walk. There's something about the ocean that always helps clear my mind."

I take his hand and we stroll down the beach, the warm breeze ruffling our hair. The rhythmic sound of the waves is calming, and I find myself smiling more freely.

"I've been thinking about the project," Levi says after a few moments. "We've made some real progress, but there's still so much to do. Especially now that we know what's been happening with the poachers."

I nod, "Education and awareness are key. If people understand how important these turtles are, they'll be more likely to help protect them."

Levi squeezes my hand. "Exactly. And I think we should also look into setting up more protected areas. Maybe even work with local authorities to increase patrols during nesting season."

"That's a great idea," I say, feeling a surge of enthusiasm. "And we can organize more community events, like beach cleanups and educational workshops. Get everyone involved."

Levi smiles at me, his eyes shining with pride. "You've always had a way of bringing people together, Maya. It's one of the things I admire most about you."

His words make my heart flutter. "Thank you, Levi. And you've always been the one to get things done. We make a good team."

"We do," he agrees. "And I don't just mean for the project. I've realized how much I've missed having you in my life. Working together these past weeks has made me see that."

I stop walking and turn to face him, my heart pounding. "I've missed you too, Levi. More than I realized. Being with you again has brought back so many memories… and feelings."

He steps closer, his hand gently cupping my cheek. "I don't want to let you go again, Maya. I want to be with you."

My breath catches in my throat, tears welling up in my eyes. "I don't want to lose you

either."

He leans in and kisses me, a gentle, tender kiss that sends warmth radiating through my entire body. When we pull apart, I feel as if a great weight has been lifted from my heart.

"We'll make this work," Levi says softly, his forehead resting against mine. "No matter what."

"Yes, we will," I whisper back.

Eventually, the sun sets completely, and the first stars begin to appear in the sky.

"Are you hungry?" Levi asks. "There's a little place nearby that makes the best seafood. We could grab an early dinner."

"That sounds perfect," I say with a smile. "I could definitely use a good meal."

We stroll to the quaint seaside restaurant, the kind of place that feels warm and welcoming as soon as you step inside. The aroma of grilled fish and fresh bread fills the air, making my stomach growl in anticipation.

We find a cozy booth by the window, and Levi orders us a seafood platter to share. As we wait for our food, we talk about the project, our plans, and our hopes for the future.

"I think we should also look into partnerships with other conservation organizations," Levi suggests. "There's so much we can learn from each other and more we can accomplish together."

"Definitely," I agree. "And maybe we could apply for some grants to fund our efforts. There are a lot of opportunities out there for projects like ours."

Levi nods, his eyes alight with excitement. "We're going to make a real difference, Maya. I can feel it."

Our food arrives, and we dig in, savoring the delicious flavors and enjoying the easy conversation. It feels so natural, being here with Levi, sharing a meal and our dreams.

After dinner, we leisurely walk back to my place. The night is clear, and the stars seem to shine a little brighter.

"Thank you for tonight," I say, turning to face him. "I'm glad we finally talked."

"Me too," he replies, his voice soft. "I guess we should meet at the center in the morning to see if there have been any new developments."

"Definitely," I say with a smile. "Goodnight, Levi."

"Goodnight, Maya," he says, leaning in to kiss me gently.

As I watch him walk away, I feel a deep sense of contentment. We've faced so much together, and I know we're stronger for it.