Page 91

The museum was darker and emptier than she expected.

Even knowing they’d be doing this after hours, she still expected more sta to be around. But as they followed Pablo up a set of stairs to their destination, they didn’t run into a single person.

“Head of security knows your here,” Pablo explained as they approached the entrance to the Gulf Stream exhibit.

“But his shift ends in an hour and then the overnight guys arrive. They aren’t so cool, so when he flashes the lights o and on in here, that means he’s leaving and you need to go too, okay? Back the way we came.”

Ari nodded. “I can’t thank you enough for doing this.”

Pablo smiled. “Your dad has helped me out plenty over the years. This is nothing. Just don’t leave this room and you won’t have any trouble, okay?”

“Okay,” Ari agreed. “Oh, and here, my mom sent you this,” she added before unzipping the bag Sloane was holding for her and removing the container on top.

His dark eyes lit up as he inspected the gift. “Irma’s arroz con pollo?” He whistled. “Now I’m the one who owes you.

Have fun girls,” he added with a wink before leaving them alone.

Out of the darkness of an exhibit closed for the night, they emerged into a room bathed in soft blue light. Instead of a ceiling, there was a huge, angled porthole. A skylight at the bottom of an ocean staring up at the waters above. What Ari had only seen in YouTube videos was truly awe inspiring in person.

Sloane didn’t speak, but she let go of Ari’s hand and stepped under what the sign by the door called the oculus, a thirty-one-foot lens acting as the bottom of a half a million-gallon tank. Under the glittering blue light, Sloane was so beautiful she was hard to look at, but Ari stared into the sun and let her retinas burn.

“This is incredible,” Sloane whispered as a hammer head shark cut through a school of fish just before a devil ray glided through the water like it was flying.

Ari agreed as she strode up next to her. Grazing her fingers against Sloane’s, she indulged in the intimate act of such a small touch before taking her hand again.

“I don’t know what I was expecting,” Sloane admitted.

“But I’m impressed.”

Ari smiled. “Did you think I’d take you for fast food or something?”

Sloane tore her attention from the sharks swimming above them to look at Ari. The blue light was creating a real-life filter and adding an ethereal e ect to what was already an unreal reality.

“Maybe the library,” Sloane joked, but it was halfhearted.

“Now let’s see what’s in the pack.”

Ari smirked, satisfied she’d come up with an unforgettable date. Without anywhere to sit, they sat next to each other on the carpet with their legs folded as Ari unpacked the spread. Grapes, strawberries, and a few kinds of cheeses were paired with a small fresh, baguette, orange and fig jam, and some kind of balsamic reduction her mom made. The Prosecco had been Ari’s idea, but as soon as she pulled it out, she realized the bag was empty. She’d forgotten the weird retractable cups she’d left drying in her kitchen sink.

“Wow, this is pretty nice. Did your mom help you?”

Sloane asked, popping a grape in her mouth.

“Not so great that I neglected to bring glasses,” Ari muttered. “Maybe I can ask Pablo—”

“Leave that poo

r man alone,” Sloane said with her hand on Ari’s forearm. “We don’t need glasses,” she decided, taking the cold bottle from her. With a few expert twists, Sloane popped the cork and took a swig. “Not bad,” she decided before handing it to Ari, who followed suit.

“So, does your mom plan all your dates?” Sloane asked after they’d worked their way through half the food.

Ari leaned back, resting her weight on her elbows. “Only the important ones.”

Sloane turned on her side, propping her head on her hand like a model posing for an oil painting. “So I should count myself lucky? Noted.” After a moment’s hesitation, Sloane picked up the same question but in a di erent form. “How many dates have your parents put together for you?”

Ari laughed, thoroughly amused with the prospect of a jealous Sloane. “Are you trying to find out how many

girlfriends I’ve had?”