Chapter Twenty-Three

Lola

The day's dive comes to a close along with the sinking realization that we're about done here. I think Bree and I have gathered sufficient evidence to recommend that the museum do a full excavation of the Sirene Dansante .

Buzz has been updating Hal throughout the entire project, one, because I hate speaking to someone who feels they need to mansplain everything to me, and two, because Hal required it. Which is fine. I get that he wants to make sure the museum's funds are going to further research in maritime archeology and not being wasted.

But a little trust would go a long way.

With Bree's help, I'll begin writing up the report with our findings and organize our samples—minus the message in a bottle, though Perry said that he was completely fine if we needed to confiscate it for research purposes.

This is usually my favorite part of an investigation, yet this time feels bittersweet. We won't need to go out to the site daily, unless there's something we need to double check.

Perry is no longer needed in the same capacity as before. Well, for the job, anyway. As far as he and I are concerned, he's extremely necessary. In fact, I'm not sure how I'm going to make myself get on a plane and fly back to Rhode Island next week.

Especially when he looks at me the way he is now with his large hands on the wheel, driving his boat with expert-level skill. The secret flirty wink he sends me has my stomach fluttering. I can't help but wonder if his thoughts are running in the direction mine are. But the longer I stare at him, the more melancholy sweeps over me. Is he dreading the day I'll have to say goodbye? Surprisingly, he hasn't mentioned it, or even hinted at what will happen when things between us eventually come to an end.

The past few nights spent with him have been some of the best of my life. Even though he's not exactly a conversationalist, the way he treats me speaks volumes in itself. He gives me space to talk about anything and everything that pops in my head. He answers the gazillion questions I've thrown at him with the patience of Job. He even tries to ask similar ones to get to know me better.

In just a few weeks I've come to realize that he's everything I've missed in a partner. Hal's half-hearted attempts as a boyfriend could never hold up to the way Perry cares for me. And yet I'll have to let him go if I plan to go back to my job—my life—in Rhode Island. We're both aware that we have no real chance of staying together once I leave. I mean…how could it possibly work?

I've gone over the conversation Mom and I shared at least a hundred times. But the more I think about it, the more convinced I am that what she and Dad shared is different than what Perry and I have. They were younger, for one, whereas Perry and I are more set in our ways, our lives more established.

Mom also worked at a diner at the time and was still going to school, while I'm literally living my best life doing what I love. Getting to travel to do so is just a bonus. There are just too many variables to consider and not enough time to sort them all out.

I'm stuck in my thoughts when we make it back to the dock and Perry ties off the boat. I tell Bree and Buzz I'll catch up with them later at the fireworks, conspicuously hanging around while Perry does his usual routine to button everything up. Bree tosses me a look over her shoulder with a little wave of encouragement. She's been our biggest cheerleader since I told my friends of my and Perry's new development.

Jerica and I still haven't spoken since the day she warned me away from her brother. It makes me sad, but Perry assures me that she just needs some time. I completely get why she's so protective of him—he's an amazing person and her brother. But I also wish she knew that I'd never do anything to intentionally hurt anyone, least of all him.

I'm bent over snuggling Bertie, letting her soothing comfort ease my worries, when Perry's boots come into view. "I'm starting to think she prefers you over me." I slowly raise my gaze to see Perry's deep blue eyes crinkling at the corners.

"Never," I say, straightening. "She's a daddy's girl, all the way."

Perry's lips twist in amusement as his eyebrow quirks. I'm instantly hot all over with embarrassment. Why do I say the dumbest things sometimes?

"Already claiming the stepmom role, huh?" he says, moving closer. "That's a big responsibility. She eats almost as much as I do and sleeps for sixteen hours every day. Plus, I'm not sure if you've noticed this about her or not, but…" He makes a show of looking down at Bertie, then lowering his voice to a stage whisper. "She poops turds the size of a small animal."

I snort a laugh, and he wraps his arms around my waist. "I'm just saying, that's a lot to clean up, Lo."

I shake my head at his ridiculousness. "I think I can handle her." Slowly, I lean in and press my lips to his. "You, on the other hand, are another matter entirely."

He arches back with a look of mock hurt. "What are you trying to say, Miss Brighton?"

I dance my hands up his chest and lock them behind his neck. "I'm saying that you're a lot of work, Mr. Ford. You're grumpy more often than not. You growl at anyone who gets too close, and…" I chuckle as memories of what I used to think of him come to mind. "I was convinced for a bit there that you only spoke in ape."

He runs his tongue across his teeth with a shake of his head. "Lola, Lola, Lola. How could you…After how sweet and accommodating I've been…"

I lower my hands and push against his broad chest, but he keeps me locked in his arms. "What? You barely spoke! And when you did, it was usually to hurl some quippy insult at me."

"Wow," he says with a laugh. "I'm truly hurt. In fact, I'm not sure I want to watch the fireworks with you tonight. Maybe you should ask Weston to go instead." One dark eyebrow arches in challenge.

"You know, you're right. Maybe I should." I take advantage of his shock to squirm away, but he quickly grabs me from behind and hauls me back against his chest. With one hand planted on my lower stomach, he uses the other to skillfully trace a path with his fingertips, starting at my wrist and ending at my bare shoulder.

"If you even think about asking that idiot to be your date tonight, I'll go full-on caveman, tossing you over my shoulder and all." He runs his nose along the side of my face, eliciting a tickled giggle. "I mean it, Lola. You're mine for as long as you're in Willow Cove. Got it?" He punctuates his statement with a kiss placed right to the tender spot beneath my earlobe.

"Hmm," I hum, eyes closed. "Got it."

Wrapping both arms around me from behind, he gives me a big squeeze, then releases me. "Good. Now let's go. It's almost time to meet my brother."

I've never been as nervous to meet someone as I am right now. Perry assured me that Aiden will love me, but I haven't really had the opportunity to hang out with kids before now. No nieces and nephews or anything since I'm an only child.

Perry has siblings, my mind rushes to remind me. If you two got married, you could potentially have nieces and nephews.

The man himself reaches over Bertie's spot on the center of his truck's bench and places his hand on my thigh, jolting me from my brain's delicious reminder. "Is this okay?"

Ocean eyes connect with mine, and I'm momentarily stripped of the ability to breathe. "Yeah. Totally."

At my encouragement, he swipes his thumb back and forth, sending goosebumps prickling along every inch of my exposed skin. When I shiver, Bertie snorts and nestles closer to Perry, giving him better access to me. "Cold?"

"No, I'm good." And boy, am I good. In fact, good doesn't quite cut it. I'm elated . On cloud nine. In celestial places with this man touching me like he is. I reach down and lace my fingers through his, and he squeezes my hand in return.

"I'm glad you're coming with me to get Aiden." He flashes me a small smile, then clears his throat. "I feel like I should warn you about my dad and stepmom, though. They're not exactly…friendly."

I note the tightness around his eyes, the worry lingering in his expression. "Don't worry. I won't take offense to anything they say or do."

Some of the tautness in his face eases. "Thanks. I mean, they're well-bred enough not to be too rude to your face, but there will no doubt be a hefty dose of passive-aggressive snide remarks." He winks exaggeratingly. "Southern-belle style."

I chuckle and cover our joined hands with my free one. "Perry, it's fine. Really. I'm just happy to get to meet your brother." A twinge of anxiety creeps into my stomach. We'll also be meeting up with Jerica at the fireworks tonight, and seeing as we haven't been on the best of terms, I'm nervous about how things will play out.

For Aiden's sake, I'll be my usual sunshiny self, but Jerica sort of seems like she might be a loose cannon when she's upset. I don't exactly relish being on her bad side.

"I'm sure he'll tell you all about how he's going out for soccer this year," Perry says with a smile so bright my heart warms. It's obvious how much he cares for his brother. "He's extremely excited. Especially since his mom hasn't let him play any sports up till now."

"Oh, really? Why not?"

He sighs, then flicks on the blinker at a turn. "Honestly, I don't know. She's a helicopter parent, though, so that probably plays into it. I've been dying to teach the kid how to tackle. We usually toss the football around when I go over there."

"Ah, that's right. Jerica told me you played football."

His smirk paired with the way he drags our joined hands over my thigh sparks a flame in my belly. "Sure did. Wide receiver."

Images of Perry running across a football field in uniform flit through my brain on hyper speed. "That's so cool. Wish I could've gone to your high school to see that."

Perry's smile widens, bright teeth flashing in the dim, dusk-drenched truck. "Lo, if you'd gone to my high school, there'd be a couple of kids in between us right now."

The sparks that started earlier ignite into a full-on inferno inside me. My eyes search for his, and when he turns his head toward me, we're locked in a stare down.

"Did you really just say that to me?" A tight, high-pitched laugh squeaks out of me. "Once again, Mr. Ford, you've rendered me speechless."

His eyes go back to the road, but that thumb of his never stops moving against my thigh. "No words needed." His shoulders lift on a shrug. "I just know that if you'd walked into my life sooner with all that bright light of yours, I'd never have been able to look away."

I swallow hard against the sudden, completely uncalled for swell of emotion that builds in my chest. That was, by far, the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me. So sweet, my chest physically aches with the need to be his. For longer than the time we've been given.

For…ever.

I want so badly to say it out loud. To break the bubble of happiness we've created for ourselves and bring up what we both know is coming. But I can't. Because talking about it would only sour the moment. And tonight, I just want to pretend that I'm his and that he's mine, and that we have a bright future ahead of us. Even if there's no way that wish can come true.

So instead, I say, "If you had come into my life sooner, I wouldn't have laid awake so many nights wondering what was wrong with me. I'd have realized earlier on that I deserve to be happy with someone who sees me and likes me for who I am."

There. Truthful and to the point.

"And I definitely wouldn't have wasted so much time on Horrible Hal." I laugh, and he does too, easing us away from the seriousness of before.

"I'm glad life gives us second chances," he says. "Aren't you?" His eyes hold mine for a silent second, in which I nod.

"Yeah. I really, really am."