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This really was her kind of girl.

Sam grinned. “So, that drink?”

“Yes, please.”

Chapter Seventeen

Their legs swung over the side of the boat, the last glimmer of gold melting into the horizon, sparking the clouds above with a deep crimson hue.

“Red sky at night, sailors delight,” Sam murmured at the light show.

Taylor turned to face her, watching the bright colour light up Sam’s face. It made the light band of freckles stand out over her nose as she traced them with her eyes. Wisps of her hair gently floated on the breeze, glowing gold as they caught the rays. Taylor would have to sit on her hands at this rate to stop herself from reaching out and tucking them away.

“Well I’d hope so, with us staying out here and all,” Taylor said, a little nervous about the weather.

“We’ll be fine. I’ve left extra chain out on the anchor for the change in tides overnight, and remember, I’ve pretty much grown up on boats,” Sam replied, slipping her hand over Taylor’s. “Trust me.”

“I trust you.”

Taylor smiled at Sam, before looking back at the sunset. Whether Sam realised she’d left her hand on Taylor’s or not, shedidn’t dare move an inch. She was more than happy to play this little game again, whatever it meant.

Taylor’s heart picked up the pace at the thought. They still hadn’t talked aboutanythingrelated to what was happening between them—ifthere was even something happening. Maybe she was just making this up and it was all in her own head?

She felt her own face flame at the thought of reading the signals completely wrong. The sun had now almost slipped beyond the horizon. She hoped to god the last of the fading red would hide her colouring cheeks.

Movement to her left pulled her out of her thoughts. “Dolphins!” she said excitedly, moving her hand from under Sam’s to point at them. Damn reflexes.

“Oh wow, a whole pod. Good spotting,” Sam replied as three more surfaced in unison.

“Is there anything more magical?” Taylor watched them go past, almost in a trance.

“Not much.” Sam’s hand landed back on hers again.

Okay, not a mistake.

This time, she dared a glance back at her. This time, she wasn’t surrounded by her friends, or Sam’s. It was just them (and some dolphins) in the middle of nowhere.

Her heart pounded as Sam turned to her, gaze on her lips before slowly dragging up to meet her eyes. Fuck Taylor Time.

“Hi,” Taylor whispered, a small smirk on her lips.

“Hi.” Sam smiled back, dipping her chin before looking back and leaning forward ever so slightly.

Taylor followed suit, unable to pull her eyes away from Sam’s mouth. Being the considerate person she was, she still wanted to be absolutely sure…

“Do you want to?—”

Sam’s lips were on her in an instant. She’d barely been able to respond before Sam sat back, eyes comically wide as her hand flung to her lips.

She blinked, then scrambled up and away from Taylor. “Sorry, I’ve got to… uh… I’ve got to… I’ll be back.” Sam rushed off, scooting along the side of the boat and disappearing into the cabin. The sun slunk away at the same time, leaving Taylor staring into the darkness and wondering what the hell had just happened.

“Sam?” Taylor knocked softly on the cabin doorway. “Hey. Um, do you wanna talk about it?”

There was a shuffle as Sam walked over to the opening, nibbling at her nail and looking incredibly nervous.

“That is not how I imagined my first kiss with you.”

Her eyes rounded for the second time that night.