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I swayed in my chair; Jack chuckled. “Go to bed, Aslan. We’re up early again tomorrow, and I assume you’re coming with us?”
I nodded.
Never again would I let this man down.
I’d let my father down.
I’d let my uncle down.
Jack Taylor would be the one man I didn’t.
“Of course. I’m willing to do whatever you request of me.”
“Even though it means working on the ocean?” Anna asked carefully, her sun-browned hair catching the string of lights hovering above the outside deck where we sat like last night.
“I’ll make peace with it.” I shot Neri a look. The first look all night. “Eventually.”
She understood what I was saying.
That I was accepting her wisdom that I’d heal...eventually.
She gave me a smile, blushed a little, then looked at her plate.
Her usual energy and sunny vibrancy seemed dulled, as if clouds had cast over everything that made her Neri.
I wanted to make things right between us.
I wanted to apologise again for not handling my grief and all this newness well.
But I never wanted to be alone with her again—not because I didn’t trust myself but because I wanted Jack to trust me.
Standing, I gathered my dirty plate and reached for Neri’s.
“What are you doing?” Jack waved his hand and yawned. “No need to do that. We have a dishwasher, and its name is Nerida.”
“Aw, Dad. Really?” Neri pouted. “I have homework.”
“And if you want to earn your pocket money this week, you will do the dishes, water your veggie garden, and then do some of that homework.”
“Fine.” With a huff, Neri snatched the plates from my hands and stormed inside.
I stood there.
Not quite sure what to do.
Anna saved me from lingering like a fool. “Goodnight, Aslan. I’ll knock on your door when it’s time to wake up in the morning.”
I raked a hand through my hair and nodded. “Goodnight.”
Striding into the house, I deliberately didn’t look toward the kitchen and the clanking of plates in the sink. I didn’t catch Neri’s stare even though I felt it burn into me. I didn’t go anywhere near her.
I strode straight to the guest room and firmly closed the door.
* * * * *
I woke with a start.
I sucked in a haggard breath, tasting salt, hearing thunder, my fingers torn from—
