Page 47 of The Seashell of ’Ohana

Ian let out a belly laugh. “Let me warm you up. I’m going to let go.”

My toes sank into the sand, and water rose to my shoulder blades. I gasped, too cold to shriek. Just when I thought hypothermia was about to set in, Ian gathered me in his arms, and together we jumped the waves, letting the water buoy our leaps.

“There. Better?” He pulled back.

My body adjusted to the temperature, and it wasn’t as cold. Ian was right. Here. In the darkness. Just the two of us under the gorgeous moonlit sky, I could paint this. This view. This moment. But this feeling … My heart hadn’t settled back after its leap into the stars, yet.

I felt so small in the vast universe, in the endless dark sea. In a way, it was terrifying, but so tranquil. As if only the two of us existed and time was irrelevant. No pain. No suffering. No guilt. Just pure bliss. At one with myself and this amazing man in front of me.

“Was I right, Abby? Isn’t this the best?” Ian raked his wet hair back, looking like a water god, resurfacing to rescue me.

I needed to stop reading those fantasy books.

“It is.” I swayed with the water’s irresistible pull. “I’ve never gone night swimming before.”

“Then we’ll have to see what other things you haven’t done and do them. Do you have a bucket list? It’s okay if you don’t. Not everyone does.”

I spread my fingers and tapped the undulating surface of the water with my palms to avert my eyes. That close, his dazzling smile was bright as the moon, shaming the curtain of stars spread behind him.

Sure, we were getting to know each other as friends, but my God, did he have to be so distractingly attractive, with a bonus amazing personality? He was one hell of a package.

“As a matter of fact, I do,” I said. “The list isn’t long, though.”

Ian ran his fingers through his hair again, water dripping down his face. I wished he would stop doing that.

“That’s okay. You can keep adding to it. No list is ever final.”

“True.” I hopped with a wave pushing through and fluttered my hand under the water.

“I’ll share one of mine if you share one of yours.” He narrowed his eyes, daring me.

“You first.”

He chuckled, the rumbling sound pleasant and light. “My list is long, but one of them is skydiving. It’s at the very bottom of the maybe list.”

“What? You can’t have a maybe list. There’s no such thing.” I laughed.

“Why not? It’s my list. There’s no rule on how you create a bucket list. How about yours?”

I shifted sand under my feet. “One of them is zip-lining.”

“That’s a fun one. You’ll love it.”

“I don’t know. I’m afraid of heights. I should put that on my maybe list.”

Ian narrowed his eyes. “Remember, there’s no such thing as a maybe list. A wise, beautiful woman told me so, and I must listen.”

I snorted and fought the urge to swim away from his compliment.

“Anyway, there’s a place I know,” he continued. “It’s not too high, and I promise you’ll love it. We should go next weekend. We can invite the whole gang. How about it?”

Before I could chicken out, I said, “Let’s do it.”

Tyler had been asking to go zip lining, but I had no interest, thinking it was too dangerous for the both of us. I knew I was being overcautious, but I’d rather be safe than sorry. Regarding my son, I had to do everything in my power to protect him. Even if it was giving up a little fun. God knows, life was unpredictable. I needed to control what I could. But with Ian asking me to go with the gang, I became emboldened.

“Great. I’ll make the arrangements.” Ian’s eyes grew wider. “Abby, hold my hand. There’s a big wave coming. I’ll guide you. Jump when I tell you.”

I glanced over my shoulder toward the sea. A giant wave was just starting to break, and my heart hammered against my chest. Oh, God. Oh, God. I knew how to swim, but anyone who lived in Hawaii knew that even experienced swimmers could get caught.