Page 62 of Buzzer Beater

He nodded. “Yeah we did.”

I could have kissed him then. This experience was something I’d remember forever.

“Come on.” He called.

He headed back to the boat and I followed, grateful to Samuel for helping me back in with all my gear. He worked quickly to remove everything while I stood there with a stupid smile.

“Did you have fun?” Sara asked me with a knowing grin.

“That was amazing.”

“I’m glad to hear it. You guys can go get changed, lunch will be ready when you’re done.”

“Thanks.” I was still in shock over what just happened.

She helped me unzip my wetsuit before I headed back to the room to change. I couldn’t believe what we’d just done. It was exhilarating. Unbelievable.

After I dressed and pulled my hair into a messy braid I went back to the deck. Colin was sitting at a small table with place settings in front of him. The plates held tacos.

I sat and took it all in.

“You got tacos?” I asked. “It’s the one thing I haven’t had since we got here.”

“Of course. It wouldn’t be the perfect day without it.”

He remembered that I like tacos. I tilted my head. “Is that what this is supposed to be?”

“Well, yeah? Isn't it?” His face held hope that I didn’t have the heart to take away. Plus, before today I never would have thought swimming with whale sharks was at the top of my bucket list, but now that I’d done it, I couldn't imagine anything better.

“It is.”

Was…was that a blush I saw? Colin Brassard was blushing?

I chose not to point it out, instead I took my first bite of taco. “Mmm, this is amazing.”

“I’m glad you like it. We don’t have very many other options.”

I shook my head and laughed. “That would have been a problem, huh. What if I changed?”

“You have, but I knew your one food obsession wouldn’t.”

I sat the taco back on the plate. “You think I’ve changed?”

He nodded. “Of course. We both have.”

I took in a breath. He was right, but I didn’t know if he’d noticed or not.

“Do you like your job?” he asked. “As a project manager?”

I shrugged. “I enjoy working on things that can help make people’s lives easier, but it’s not as fulfilling as I thought. At the end of the day it’s just a job.”

“It’s not your passion.” He seemed to understand.

“Right.”

“You wanted to go into research and development for pharmaceuticals. What happened to that?”

I looked down, a little embarrassed. “I got this job offer right after graduation. I wasn’t hearing back from any pharma companies, so I took it.”