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Taylor rolled to face her, letting go of Sam’s hand to trail her fingers along the curve of her hips. “I had the best sleep last night,” she murmured, eyes following her fingers on Sam. The movement made goosebumps spring up along her torso as she shivered under the touch. “I think I could get used to this.”

Sam closed her eyes. “Me too.”

“I guess you better tell me these plans of yours. See if we can actually make a go of this crazy idea.”

So they went through everything: how far ahead Sam had planned, her stopovers, expected weather patterns (luckily, they were heading into Summer, the best time to start the trip), food staples, budgets… There were so many things to consider.

They also talked about all the question marks with the trip if they did this together. What about Taylor’s job? How would Jess feel if she broke the lease on their rental? Would Belle be comfortable on the boat? The last one was a hard limit for Taylor, so it looked like they’d be doing another sleepover on the boat with the three of them to test things out.

Taylor sat across from Sam on the couch, leaning back in thought, papers scattered everywhere over the table, and Sam’s laptop sat out with a million tabs open.

“This is a pretty big commitment for a new relationship. Are we insane for doing this?” Taylor said, echoing Sam’s thoughts as they stared at everything out in front of them.

“Probably, but it feels right. In here.” Sam placed her hand over her heart. “Everything with you has been about following my gut. I mean, when is ‘the right time’ to do anything in life? It’s what it means for us. I want this to work, but I’m also happy to build in some safeguards for us if it all turns sour. I won’t lie, living in such close quarters together is going to be a pressure cooker environment.”

“Having lived in the van already, I know I can do small spaces for long periods, so that shouldn’t be an issue for me. And as for us, I feel the same. I want this to work. I know we’ll figure it out.”

Taylor’s confidence in them was reassuring, especially to know they were both on the same wavelength.

They continued going through all the questions and options they could think of until they’d worn themselves out.

Sam was relieved, though, that Taylor had kept her promise. She’d been open to discussing all the details, even without all the answers. She hadn’t shied away from any topics and they’d managed to already sort out a number of things—namely, Taylor putting herself forward for managing the boat, making sure it would be shipshape before their departure, as well as being Sam’s liveaboard maintenance queen. How had she got so lucky?

Matt had just flipped the closed sign on the window and locked the front door, making it the perfect time for Sam to talk to her dad. It was now or never.

“Hey Dad?” Sam asked, still sitting at the computer so she couldn’t see his face over the other side of the counter.

“Yeah?” He neatened up some rope, looping each offcut so it was ready to put out the next day.

“Um, I just wanted to let you know that Taylor is my girlfriend.”

“I know, you introduced us already.”

She tried to bite her tongue.

“No, I mean, we’re dating. She’s mygirlfriend, not just a friend.”

“I figured as much,” he said, no change in his movements as he continued his usual closing routine. “We should have her over for dinner on my boat one night.”

“That’s it?”

His brows furrowed as he came around the counter to look at her. “What do you mean? Should we do more than dinner?”

“No, the dinner’s fine. I just… I dunno… expected a bigger reaction to me coming out to you.”

Her dad just shrugged, a smile on his lips. “You’re an adult, and you seem happy. Lighter. And that’s all I could want for my kid.” His face crinkled at the edges. “Plus, you talk about Taylora lot, so it wasn’t too hard to put two and two together. Oh, and walking in on you two almost kissing was a pretty big giveaway as well.” He chuckled to himself.

“Oh, you saw that, huh?” Sam’s face heated at the memory.At least that was all he saw.She got up from her chair and crossed the space to wrap her arms around him. He stopped what he was doing to hug her back, a big bear of a hug that made her feel so loved.

“What’s this for?” he asked.

“Everything.” She squeezed him. “Being so cool and understanding with me, sorting out everything with the business… I’m so lucky to have you in my life.” She pulled away, eyes getting unexpectedly teary. Having built up and put off the conversation for as long as she had made her realise all the emotions she’d been hanging onto, wearing on her constantly. Stepping out to the other side? It felt good.Reallygood.

His hands landed on her shoulders as he looked down at her. “You okay?”

She wiped at her eyes and sniffed. “Yeah, they’re good tears. I’m just relieved.”

“Oh, Sammy.”