“Where doyousee yourself?” he shot back.
“I asked first.”
He shrugged. “The thing is… I’d like to think I’ll be whereveryouare.” And he wasn’t even lying or playing the part. He truly felt like that.
Her cheeks flushed. Her grin widened. “You’re just saying that.”
Callum frowned and took her hands. “I told you before leaving London, in that pub. If I could spend the rest of my life carrying your boards in airports, I’d be the happiest man alive. I know we only made this official last night…” Alejandra snorted. “But I want to make something very clear to that beautiful brain of yours: I’m serious about you, Alejandra López Romero.”
“Great pronunciation.” She grinned.
“I’ve wanted to break no contact since the moment I left your room in Tarifa. I wanted to turn around, kiss you, and never leaveyou. But I was an idiot, and I nearly lost the chance to be here like this with you.”
Alejandra nodded, eyes soft. “Yeah. No contact was stupid. But you scared me. What I felt for you terrified me. During those months apart, I kept trying to find ways to learn more about you. I—I was stupid. I’m glad you sent that package. I’m glad you came to Ericeira. I’ve never felt this connected to someone. It was maddening because I had to focus on my career.”
She scoffed. “And now? You know you asked me what would have happened if I wasn’t injured? Now I keep thinking: imagine if you still had your career, but you’re miserable. Tons of medals, but nobody to cheer you up at the beach. And now, my career is in shambles, and besides my mind playing tricks, I’ve never been happier. And when I look at you, I see a future I never even dared to imagine.”
She took a breath, her fingers tightening around his. “I know we’ve only been boyfriend and girlfriend for less than twenty-four hours, but I think I’ve been falling in love with you for months now.” Her green eyes met his, solemn in the way she focused on him. “Callum Evans, I love you.”
He blinked, stunned. “Say it again.”
She leaned in, careful not to tip them into the water. “I love you,” she whispered, eyes honest and worried.
“Say it again, cariad.”
“I love you, cariño.”
He smiled, broad and pure. “Good. Because I love you too, Alejandra.”
He leaned to kiss her, tangling his fingers in her hair, dragging her closer. Her tongue danced with his, and he wanted more, desired more. She pressed her forehead against his. They sat there in silence for a long moment. Just the gentle lap of the water. Just their eyes, locked.
“You know,” Alejandra said eventually, “I’ve been thinking about the Blue Mind theory. I need to send Sofia a note.”
“Let me guess—about not including nearly being buried alive by a wave?”
“Yes.” She laughed. “Besides that.” Then she added, softer, “I want to tell her that the most calming thing I’ve ever experienced isn’t the sea. It’s looking intoyourblue eyes. So, maybe, the Blue Mind effect exists. And for me, it’s getting lost in the blue of your eyes.”
Callum reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. He didn’t know what to say. The softness in her gaze, in her voice. Nobody ever said those kinds of things to him.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “For helping me. I’m not free of the fear, but maybe… maybe now I see that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.”
“We’ll find it together,” he said, pressing his forehead against hers. “We’re endgame.”
Alejandra smiled brightly, and then eyed down the calm water under them. “Would you take a dip with me?”
Callum smirked, quite surprised. “Are you sure?”
“I think I need it, and maybe with you, I can stop…maybe I won’t think about it.”
Callum held out his hand, and she beamed up at him. Somehow, he understood why Alejandra won all those medals. There was a resilience in her he had never seen in anyone. The way she was facing her fear, after almost losing her life, that was extremely brave. And he was extremely proud of her.
50
ALEJANDRA
The Climb - Miley Cyrus
Stupid,illogical, and irrational. Those were the words she kept repeating in her mind. There was no reason why she should be scared of calm, crystal-clear water. They weren’t even that far from shore, which meant she could probably touch the rocky floor if she stretched enough.
