“I’ve got a present for you too, Sapphire.”
He gets up and disappears into the bedroom. A minute later he’s back, holding a neatly wrapped gift box. He sets it on my lap. My hands itch to tear into it like a kid.
I honestly can’t remember the last time someone gave me a present that wasn’t bought out of obligation or to fix a mess. An actual gift, picked for me.
“I’m sorry, I obviously can’t top your present. This is for you.”
“Please, shut up. This means more to me than you know.”
I open the box and lift out a long-sleeved UV shirt. It’s sky blue, a skeleton merman printed on the back. My fingers go over the bony ribs, the sapphire blue fish tail, its hair made out of seaweed. It’s badass, weird and exactly my style.
“Made it for you,” he says. “There’s this new surf shop at Starlight Bay that does custom work. First I met up with Zion, you know he’s a tattoo artist, right? I had him sketch the merman, then took the design back to the surf shop.”
He shrugs a little shy. “I loved it so much I had them make one for me too. Same design, but lilac and amethyst. I know you like those colors on me.”
I just keep staring at it because it’s perfect. He knows me, knows what I like. He’d remembered that stupid joke I made about our fish tails after the mermaid pool, and he actually brought it to life. He turned it into art. For me, for us. For the thing we love doing most, besides having sex, obviously.
“I love it! Matching shirts means we’re officially a surf team.”
“Like, the Saint Luna Mermen?”
I grab his arm. “Oh my god, yes! We could travel the world, do competitions. We’re good, I know we are! We just need more time on the waves.”
I yank the shirt over my head and hop onto the couch.
“After a flawless ride by his lover, McKenna is paddling toward that monster wave! Will he dare take it? It looks impossible, but he’s going for it anyway! Look at that amazing balance! He’s the best surfer the world has ever seen! Oh my god, no! He disappears into the break! But wait, what’s that? He’s through! He made it! McKenna makes it out alive and the Saint Luna Mermen are crowned champions!”
I crash into Yosh, grabbing his hand and throwing it in the air to celebrate our imaginary victory.
He squeezes my hand tight before yanking me to his chest.
It’s a bit absurd considering there’s a thick layer of snow on the other side of the window. But hey, dreams are dreams, and, Saint Luna, Bondi or Maui, I don’t know, they are all just a flight away. I can see that for us.
Yosh is still breathless with laughter, but there are diamonds in his eyes as he looks at me.
“You’re insane. And I absolutely love it. But please, sit down. There’s still something else inside that box for you.”
Another present? I lean back over the box and spot a Polaroid lying at the bottom. I pick it up and flip it over.
“I had to take a photo, I couldn't exactly get it past customs.”
It’s a set of chef’s knives. The picture was taken at Palm Oasis. I recognize the black marble counter from the island.
“Oh my god, they’re amazing, love. Wait, is this a hint?”
“Obviously. You told me Calvin’s knives were so shitty they didn't even slice through a bun. So I got you these and absolutely forbade Cal from even looking at them. He said he only reheats pizza, but thanked me for the gift anyway, because now you will be cooking for him.”
I grin. “Love Cal. I’m glad the three of us talked things through. It was necessary.”
“Agreed. I’m glad he apologized for SeaBreeze and admitted some heavy stuff he’s dealing with, including his drinking problem. I felt bad when he got emotional about Tiffy… how badly he’d messed things up with her.”
I snort. “Yeah. And then called in his newest girl right after.”
Yosh gives me a knowing look. “You and I both know how band-aid sex works. We’re simple creatures when it comes to that.”
I pat his chest. “See, this is what I like about you. Callie Coconut cheats on your bestie and you still give him the benefit of the doubt.”
He wags a finger in front of my eyes. “No, no, no. For that, I still wish him itchy, painful shingles. Right on that one spot between your shoulder blades you can’t reach.”
