Page 58 of Lemon Drop

“Not like this!”

A little farther out, the sandy bottom gave way to patches of coral and dark, moss-covered rocks. Brilliant yellow fish darted between the coral formations, while a pair of blue-and-yellow angelfish swam lazily beneath us. Saadiq handed me a snorkel mask he’d brought along, and I spent several minutes floating face down, completely fascinated by the little world beneath the surface.

When I lifted my head, he was watching me.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Why you smiling?”

“No reason, Apple. You having fun?”

I couldn’t hide my grin. “So much!”

“Good.”

He reached for my hand and guided me toward a large rock formation where the water was shallow enough for us to stand.

“Look down there.”

I adjusted my mask and followed his pointing finger.

A sea turtle was gliding along the edge of the reef, its wide flippers moving with a beautiful grace. I grabbed Saadiq’s arm so hard he laughed.

“Baby, I see it!” he said.

“She’s beautiful!”

We floated quietly several yards away, watching until the turtle disappeared into deeper water. I surfaced with the biggest smile on my face. He pushed the few pieces of my hair that had escaped the swim cap away from my face.

“I’m glad I brought you,” he murmured.

I looked away before he could see how completely he was getting to me.

“Come on. Race you back to the yacht.”

He raised an eyebrow. “You sure you wanna do that?”

“Don’t tell me you scared?” I teased, turning his words on him.

“Of you? Never.”

I tilted my head to one side. “Then put your money where your mouth is, Mr. Masters.”

He laughed. “What we betting?”

I considered it for a moment.

“Winner gets to decide what we doing tonight.”

His smile turned positively wicked.

“Oh, you about to lose, shorty.”

“We’ll see. On your mark. Get set⁠—”

I shoved him backward and took off.