Chapter 3

I ignored her completely and pushed through the shop doors, nearly bumping into Julian who was walking out with oxygen tanks.

The moment his eyes landed on me, panic flashed across his face.

"Chloe?"

I acted like I hadn't heard him, brushing past his shoulder. But his fingers clamped down on my wrist, his brow furrowing.

"You can’t dive!"

I spun around, meeting his gaze coldly.

"Why can't I? I’m a grown woman. I don’t need your permission to live my life."

Julian’s grip tightened. That was his nervous tell whenever he was calculating his next move. Finally, as if making a grand sacrifice, he sighed.

"Wait here. I’ll take you."

I gave a slight nod. He let go.

Outside, Amber’s sweet voice drifted in: "Julian, are you ready yet?"

I stepped further inside, letting the glass door shut out the noise of the beach.

A young guy in a staff tee walked up to me with a bright, open smile. He had large, expressive eyes that gave him the endearing look of an eager golden retriever.

"Hey there! Looking for an instructor today?"

I glanced at him. Those eyes felt strangely familiar.

"I already have one booked."

His shoulders drooped slightly in disappointment, but he quickly bounced back, leaning against the counter to chat. He introduced himself as Dylan. I gave him polite, distracted half-answers.

Julian never showed up.

I waited on that bench for two hours until the last shred of my patience turned to dust.

Dylan, who was still lingering nearby, tilted his head in concern.

"Chloe, did your instructor ditch you?"

Embarrassment flared in my chest. To mask the sting, I shot him a sharp look.

"Don't you have work to do?"

He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

"I’m the new guy. Most tourists prefer the senior instructors."

I swallowed the bitter lump in my throat, forcing an easy smile.

"My guy bailed. Take me out instead."