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“Taylor?!” Sam rushed to the edge. “What thehellare you doing?” She sounded more exasperated than angry.

“Can you uh, help me up and I’ll explain?” she pleaded, hoping Sam wouldn’t turn her away.

“Okay.”

It wasn’t a no, and she’d take it.

“There’s a short ladder right at the back there.” Sam pointed to a dark section of the boat, cast in shadows from the stern light.

“Oh, great.” She moved to it, handing over her paddle and bag to Sam. Then she unleashed her ankle from the safety line, hopped onto the bottom ladder rung, and leaned over to pull the board up by one of the handles. Sam leaned over to give her a hand, the both of them pulling it all the way onto the deck. She hopped on after the board, and they manoeuvred it down theside of the boat in silence, loud breaths the only noise in the air between them.

Now that was out of the way, she needed to face Sam, who was standing with her arms folded near the cabin doorway, expectant.

Taylor rubbed at the back of her neck. “So you’re probably wondering why I’m here.”

“Understatement of the century. I can’t believe youpaddledout here.” Taylor thought she sensed a hint of awe in Sam’s undertone and puffed herself up slightly.

“Well, you didn’t make it easy to find you. But… I was determined.” She swiped her waterproof bag off the floor, unclipping it and shoving her hand inside, pulling out the now very droopy, very crushed hyacinths. Crushed blues, hurt like the eyes staring straight back at her, still waiting for answers. She winced and cleared her throat. “These were perfect a couple of hours ago, they were meant to be a token of my apology, now they kind of look like how I feel.”

“Dead?”

“Ouch. I was more going for messed up.” She held out the flowers regardless, which Sam took, the corner of her mouth upticking ever so slightly.

“Because I did.” Her eyes locked onto Sam’s. “Mess up.” She played with the buckle on the bag.

“The thing is… I am scared. I am still hurting from Liz. And I let those things dictate my actions. I didn’t have the answers, and I couldn’t see a way through with you leaving so suddenly, so I left. Because I thought it would be easier.”

Sam took a step forward.

“Wait.” Taylor held up a hand. “In doing that, I hurt youandI hurt me. The second arrow and all that.” A soft smile. “But the worst part was, I didn’t listen to my own advice. You need to have the hard conversations, even if you don’t want to, and itdoesn’t stop at just one.” She squared her shoulders. “So, here I am, ready to talk, even if I don’t have any of the answers. And… I’m sorry.”

“That was quite the speech. When she wants to talk, she doesn’t stop,” Sam joked.

“Sorry.”

“Enough apologising.” Sam closed the gap, reaching up to press the sweetest of kisses to Taylor’s lips. “I accept the first one. And the flowers. Or, well, the thought of them at least.” She laughed briefly. “Come inside so we can talk, and before any more moths dive-bomb you under this light.”

Taylor grabbed a towel out her bag to quickly dry off her legs, then dashed into the cabin. She didn’t need to be told twice. She pulled her phone out next, sending off a quick text to Jess to let her know she’d made it safely and to give Belle extra cuddles tonight.

“Hot chocolates?” Sam said, flicking the kettle on.

“Please.” Taylor made herself comfy on the lounge and pulled on the hoodie she’d brought with her for extra warmth.

“What else have you got in that Mary Poppins bag?” Sam eyed her from the kitchenette.

Taylor felt a little sheepish. “I packed everything I’d need to stay here the night, just in case. But I’m just as happy to paddle back after we talk, I don’t want to intrude.”

Sam fixed her with a look. “Don’t be ridiculous. You’re not going anywhere tonight, I’m not a monster. And who are you intruding on? Me and the seven dwarves?” she scoffed as she brought their cups over.

“Well, I don’t like to assume…”

Sam rolled her eyes and sat down.

Chapter Thirty

“I’m glad you’re here,” Sam said, blowing on her hot chocolate across from Taylor.

“Me too,” replied Taylor, giving her a lopsided smile.