Page 107 of The Deadly Shallows

“If it wasn’t true, I’d take offense,” she said. “You want to go with me?”

“I’d love to. I just have to unfasten this heavyweight from my neck and grab my wet suit from the trunk.”

After the short drive over to Wrightsville Beach, Austin stepped into the ocean, water rushing over her toes. Broken seashells, left in the outgoing tide’s wake, tickled the soles of her bare feet. She looked at Caleb, standing at the water’s edge beside her, his physique highlighted by the remaining moonlight mixed with the breaking dawn. How had she gotten so lucky? And did he feel the same?

Before her mind went all the way down a rabbit hole, they had best hurry to reach the cove in time. “Shall we?”

“Definitely.” He grinned, a mischievous glint to his eyes.

Walking out, her feet sunk in the wet sand, squishing between her toes. Waves lapped higher and higher up her legs. Another dozen yards, and she dove under a breaking wave.

Reveling in the rush of adrenaline coursing through her, she swam for the surface. Now past the line of breaking waves, she leaned back into a float, letting the movement of the ocean carry her. The outgoing tide took her up and over the next line of burgeoning waves. The taste of salt water danced through her mouth, tickling her tongue.

Caleb swam to her side, bobbing seemingly without effort, only his head and shoulders breached the water. She straightened, treading water with only a breath’s span between them. Her heart throbbed, echoing through her ears, mingling with the melody of the waves.

He reached out, cradled her head in his right hand, and nudged her nose with his, dipping in closer. The moment she lifted her lips toward his, he engulfed them. He tasted of the salt of the sea as the lulling waves lifted them up and lowered them down—their kiss never breaking except for a breath of sea air. He encircled her waist with his left arm, pulling her closer still, and she melded into his embrace.

Time evaporated until Caleb eased back. A deep sigh escaped his lips as water rushed around her where his arm had just been. Still dizzied, she looked up at him.

He slowly trailed his fingers along the side of her face and across her jaw before skimming the pad of his thumb across her lips.

She took a deep breath, conflict vacillating inside. She wanted to stay right here in this perfect moment, but if they lingered much longer, he’d miss the surprise. “We better get swimming, or we’re going to miss it.”

His brow furrowed. “Miss what?”

She started swimming in the cove’s direction, warmth spiraling through her despite the brisk water lapping her face. She’d known Caleb’s soul was a deep well of goodness and loyalty not long after they’d met—despite their sparring early on. But after that kiss, he also possessed an intensely passionate side she definitely loved.

Swimming freestyle between the lines of forming waves, Caleb rippled through the water beside her.

She struggled to shake off the well of emotion they’d shared in that kiss. Clear your head. Focus on reaching the cove. Rolling her nose and mouth just above the water line, she inhaled the chilly air, praying it’d shake her out of the stupor.

Within another hundred yards, she saw they’d reached the cove just in time. She shifted to treading water, smiling as Caleb treaded beside her.

“Look,” she said, pointing at the horizon. The sun rose slowly, casting streaks of orange and pink across the sky. As if God were painting His canvas right in front of them.

Caleb spun to face the horizon. “Wow. Killer sunrise spot.”

She smiled. She’d never shared this with anyone before. But watching the sunrise was even more special now that she had someone she wanted to share it with.

He swam behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, resting his chin gently on her head. “It’s beautiful. Just like you.”

She smiled, wondering if they’d talk about what was happening between them—were they dating, courting, in a relationship? That talk had to happen sooner rather than later, but not in this perfect moment. Instead, she leaned back into him, his strong torso flush with her back as they watched the sun rise higher in the sky.

The opening riff of “Sweet Home Alabama” jolted Noah awake. Grabbing his phone off the end table, he fumbled it.

“Rowley.” He pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to shake himself awake as he looked at his watch—0640. Definitely time to get up. The coffee pot gurgled, brewing the pot Kenzie had preset last night before heading up to bed.

“Hey, boss,” Logan said. “Sorry to disturb you, but thought you’d want to know the license number came back as a stolen plate.”

“Why am I not surprised.”

“Stolen from a Floridian tourist visiting Wilmington.”

Noah sighed. “Another dead end.”

“But on a good note, Mrs. Hunter, the woman who remembered the catering van outside of the graduation, was able to provide enough detail for me to do a sketch of the logo on its side.”

Finally! A strong lead. “That’s excellent news.”