Page 32 of Into the Blue

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I also wonder whether or not she’ll be able to help. She’s one of the highest-paid surfers in the world. The land for sale isn’t hugely expensive, considering what it is. A few hundred thousand dollars. Yet what it holds is priceless. I know she felt it, saw the awe in her wide eyes. And sorrow, when I’d told her what was going on. I hope I’ve done enough. I feel like shit, though, like I took her there on false pretences.

But the truth is, I wanted her to see the cave, even if she doesn’t end up buying the land. I wanted to share it with her. I won’t pressure her. Still, guilt nibbles at me as I work on her board, giving it a final polish. The day is almost over, and I want to see her again.

I’ve missed her.

Christ. I close up the shop, Jade’s board, wrapped in bubble wrap, under my arm. I carry it back to the compound, wondering if I should just leave it outside her cabin with a note.

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Feels like a chickenshit move.

Still, my throat is tight as I walk up the three steps to her door. I set the board down, leaning it carefully against the veranda railing, and knock. Maybe she’s not here. Maybe she went for a walk to watch the sunset.

Yeah, sure she did. I can hear movement inside the cabin, the soft pad of feet. The door opens, and she’s there.

Holy shit.

She’s wearing loose sweatpants, gathered at the ankles, sitting low on her hips. Her tank top is tight, the same turquoise blue as her sweatpants, and she’s not wearing a bra. Her long blonde hair is loose around her tanned shoulders, her face clean of make-up. My groin stiffens.

“Uh, I brought you this.” I clear my throat. I know I’m on a tropical island but I’m sweating more than usual. “Your board.”

Jade squeals, throwing her arms around me. “Thank you so much!” She releases me just as suddenly, going over to her board and crouching down, sliding the bubble wrap from it carefully. “Holy shit.” She runs her hand along the gleaming side of it, glancing up at me, her eyes wide. “I don’t think it’s ever looked this good.”

“It’s a beautiful board. Even with how old it is.” I’m not lying. When I was repairing it, I found the faint signature of a legendary California shaper from the seventies on the underside of the board.

“It’s my favourite.” I swear she has tears in her eyes. “It was a gift. From someone.”

My stomach tightens. I’m still hoping it wasn’t a gift from her boyfriend. I might have done a bit of googling late last night when the Wi-Fi was working. Saw quite a few posts indicating they’ve broken up, but it’s none of my business, plus, half of what’s on the internet is bullshit anyway. She is here alone, though. But all I say is, “Oh yeah?”

“Yeah.” She jumps up, her hands to her mouth. “I’m so rude! You’ve done all this work, let me get you a drink or something.”

“It’s fine,” I start to say, but she’s disappeared into the cabin. I hear her rummaging around, the clink of glasses, the buzz of the blender. She emerges a few moments later with two large glasses filled with a frosty red drink, a strawberry popped on the rim of each one.

“Daiquiri?” She quirks her eyebrow at me. “You know how much I enjoy them.” She grins, holding out a glass.

I laugh, because she’s mad in the best possible way, and take the glass. “Cheers.” I clink my drink with hers.

“Cheers,” she says. “And thank you. For everything. Forthe board, for rescuing me the other night, for taking me around the island, for letting me stay here. I owe you, Axel Black.”

The sunset sky reflects in her jade green eyes. She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I want to tell her she doesn’t owe me a thing, but that if she wanted to give me anything, I would like very much if she’d let me slide a hand inside that tank top she’s wearing, and maybe kiss her a bit.