Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 93307 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93307 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
We’re very far out at this point, the coast feels like it’s forever away, but the water is calm and there are no boats disturbing our path. Truthfully, it’s almost serene being out here like this. Normally, my overthinking tendencies would have me on edge, but for some reason, I just feel calm. Relaxed, even.
Because you trust him.
“Okay,” Mack says and rests his paddle in his lap. “We’re here.”
“Uh…” I look around and see nothing but water. “This is what you wanted to show me?”
“Not exactly.” He grins at me over his shoulder and then pulls his cell phone out of the pocket of his board shorts. With a few taps to the screen, the opening beat of an all-too-familiar song starts to play loudly from the speakers.
“You brought me out here to listen to Donna Summer?”
He shakes his head and flashes a wink at me.
“Okay…?” I retort on an incredulous laugh. And I almost joke that this is how people end up on faded “Missing” posters, but I am rendered speechless when I spot a school of five or six dolphins swimming across the water not too far from our kayak.
“That’s what I wanted to show you.”
Their silver fins sparkle and shine beneath the sun as their bottlenoses slice through the water with ease. Seeing them this up close is better than any nature documentary I’ve ever seen.
Frankly, I’m floored. Speechless. And it takes a good ten seconds before I can even form words at the sight.
“Oh my God, Mack,” I whisper, and my hand moves to cover my mouth of its own accord. “How did you know they would be out here?”
“I just happened to be playing a little music on my phone yesterday when I was paddleboarding, and it was like they could sense the vibrations or something. It’s either that or they’re huge Donna Summer fans.”
The dolphins are a playful bunch as they swim around in the sea, occasionally jumping out of the water and diving back in. “This is incredible. They’re so close,” I murmur. “I honestly think I could reach out and touch one if I wanted to.”
“I had a feeling you’d like this.” Mack looks over his shoulder again, his gaze locking with mine. “Good surprise?”
“Great surprise.” I tell him the truth. I even find myself reaching out to grip his shoulder with my hand. “I’ll never forget this. Thank you.”
He covers my hand with his own and gives it a gentle squeeze. “Happy birthday, Katy.”
Despite my injured foot and the fact that Anna isn’t here, it actually is a happy birthday.
Funnily enough, this right here, might be the best birthday you’ve ever had, and it’s all because of him—the man you used to tell yourself you hated.
Mack
Katy’s left leg pokes out from the blanket, her freshly tanned skin practically glowing from the extra few hours we spent out on the beach.
I’d only planned for us to be out there for an hour or two, long enough to show Katy my dolphin surprise, but when she got a second wind and wanted to lay out for a few hours, there wasn’t a chance in hell I was going to say no.
I stare at her long leg a little too hard, and the dishes clank on the table as I try to clear our DoorDashed pizza dinner at the same time.
The loud noise is enough to make Katy’s eyes jump to me, but I play it off with a sheepish smile and a wink. She’s on the phone with her parents—has been for quite a few minutes now—and despite the small space and my newfound closeness with Kai and Melissa, I’m trying not to eavesdrop too much.
I know she thinks it’s strange that I’m on a first-name, text-message basis with her dad, but it doesn’t feel anything but normal to me. I’m a people person, and to me, the more I befriend, the better. Everyone has a unique story and perspective and something genuinely interesting to add to my life.
“Yes, Mom, I promise I’m taking care of myself,” she says with her phone pressed to her ear. “The ER doctor is confident everything will heal up nicely and I’ll be off crutches in a week.”
I move to the sink to give her some space—and to make my pervy eyes face the other direction—and start washing up everything we’ve used so I can put it away. I’ve just put the last of the plates in the cabinet when Katy makes a simple declaration that makes my heart swell.
“Actually, it’s been a pretty awesome birthday, despite the whole foot injury. A really great birthday, in fact. Probably the best I’ve had in a while.”
I bring Katy a refill on her water and then head back to the kitchen to get out of her hair. I can still hear her talking, but I feel like maybe I’m at least giving her the illusion of privacy.