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The relief was palpable, the weight of fear lifted from my shoulders, and that sweet feeling of joy came rushing back.
“I did it, Rocco.”
“You did, and I’m so proud of you.”
His words filled me with a sense of accomplishment, a feeling that I had conquered my fear and emerged stronger.
I lifted my head, and he slowly leaned in. I moved my lips closer, and we kissed. It was not only something special we shared, but he helped ease that fear. Truly, everything seemed possible and right with him. “Thank you.”
He kissed my forehead. “Very warm. Let’s get you an ice cream.”
I grinned. “Ice cream for lunch. Sounds great.”
We thanked the parasailers and changed boats, and then Rocco asked that we stop at the small boathouse bistro. We ordered tropical sundaes and espressos before sitting under an umbrella by the dock. I gazed around and noticed that mostseats were empty, save for a family with a baby. The mother was knitting, and I did a double take when she lifted her head. My mouth dropped open, and I touched Rocco’s hand.
“Is that Mahala?” She was an icon in pop music.
“Probably,” he said with a shrug.
The starstruck moment passed, and the sundaes and espressos arrived. We thanked them, and then I asked Rocco, “Where have you parasailed before?”
“Croatia on my own and Hawaii with the family. It was a good vacation.” He stared off, then took a sip from his cup.
“Is there any place you’d like to see that you haven’t been?” I asked and ate a spoonful of the sundae.Yummy.
He paused to think. “New Zealand, but that will change soon since I have a sci-fi story I’m considering filming there.”
“That sounds cool. Do you always visit the sites of the movies you make?”
“Not really. A lot of things are computer-generated. And files are sent to me. But if I can do a location setting, I’m there. It’s magic watching all the pieces come together.” Joy radiated from him, and I loved to see it.
My heart also grew heavy. He rarely ever showed he was worried or sad about anything. “Do you still believe you can make—”
He placed a finger to my lips, his eyes dancing. “No negativity. You just flew through the sky like a bird. Let’s revel in our accomplishments.”
“Okay, I’m happy about that, but you can tell me when you’re sad.”
He exhaled. “You’ve seen more than anyone else…I rarely am or can dwell on it. Too many people are counting on me. I can only find another way. That’s what my grandpa taught me.”
I liked that. “He also taught me I can withstand a lot.”
He went quiet for a few moments. “You won’t have to withstand anything again, not with me.”
My heart swelled, and I didn’t say anything. I wanted to believe, just like him, that good things don’t have to end. We ate more of our sundaes, which were melting fast.
“That sundae was a great lunch,” I joked.
“It’s not lunch….” His voice trailed off.
“What’s up?” My brows raised.
His eyes widened, and he stood up, staring past me.
I turned to see what caught his attention.Oh God.Thick smoke was coming from further out on the water. I removed my sunglasses and could see some flames. Was it a boat? A jet ski? One of the villas?
“Wait here,” he told me. He left the table and spoke with the restaurant staff, his driver, and Zane, who I hadn’t known had arrived. They talked in a circle, and the driver gestured towards the boat.
I clasped my throat; my heart sped up.What’s going on?