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I swallow hard, his gaze dropping to my lips, before I clear my throat and flip my board.

Halo-Halo.

My mom shouts from the crowd to Caleb. “I know that’s right!”

“You’ve got me hooked, Mrs. Taylor!” Caleb shouts back.

After we finished all of the questions, we won the compatibility test with 10/10 as well as Tia and Amir.

As everyone goes back to chatting, Barbara comes up behind us as Caleb and I start to stand.

“Looks like the next couple to get married is you guys,” she whispers in a giddy way. “Are you two thinking that far ahead?”

My body goes rigid as we turn toward her.

“We haven’t talked about it, but if he popped the big question…I wouldn’t say no.”

Caleb steps behind me, loops his arms around my waist, and plants a gentle kiss on my neck that sends my pulse into overdrive. “I’d get on one knee right now, if I could.”

I’d love for him to get on his knees too…

Oh, get a grip, Amelia.

“Look at my boy all grown up.” Barbara pinches his cheek. “I’m happy for you two. Me and your uncle are just like y'all. Can’t keep our hands off each other.”

Caleb’s hands still on my waist, as his chest vibrates against my back. “Information we didn’t need to know.”

She waves him off with a chuckle. “Oh hush, that’s a good sign you two are in love. When you feel like you can’t be away from the other too long, missing their warmth. It’s a good feeling. Hold on to that, alright?”

My gaze warms as she squeezes my cheek, and I can’t help but smile as she heads toward her husband.

“And now what do you really think about it?” Caleb says turning me around by my hips to face him.

“Of marriage?” I hum, pushing my curls behind my ear, I’m starting to get over stimulated with all this lovey dovey talk, sweat is starting to gather at the back of my neck.

Caleb pulls out a scrunchie from his pocket, handing me it.

“Thanks.” I take it, flipping my hair over and twisting it into a messy bun, pulling a few strands loose to frame my face.

“And, I do believe in it. I think it’s a beautiful way to show how committed you are to someone.

” I bite the inside of my cheek. “Seeing my parents happily married makes me want that someday.”

“Whoever wins your heart is one lucky man.”

Those words catch me off guard and my eyes snap to his just in time to see the faint twitch of his lips.

“Yeah, hopefully they don’t think I’m too much.” I admit, letting out a weak puff of air past my lips.

“It’ll never be too much for the right person. Trust me, princess.”

A few days pass and one of the things on Tia’s itinerary is paddle boarding. I didn’t complain about it but in my world, I belong on solid ground only. Am I a scaredy cat? Yes.

“So, let me get this straight, I’m supposed to balance myself on that ?” I ask the instructor, Luka, one more time, squinting my eyes toward the skinny ass board hanging on the rustic shop wall. “It’s quite small don’t you think?”

He shakes his dark hair, amused. “No, but don’t worry, I’ll be with you every step of the way.”

“And if I fall?”

“Then I’ll catch you or at least save you from drowning,” he says with a wink.

Oh. He’s flirting.

“No need. I’ve got her.” Caleb holds my hand, gently leading me toward the other gear.

Thirty minutes later we make our way to the beach while the rest of the family sits comfortably nearby, phones in hand and ready to film an embarrassing video of us if we fall.

How sweet of them.

“So, hold the board near the edges, kneel down to stand up, and when you get in the water, rise with your chest.” Luka instructs as we practice on the sand first. “Keep your knees, elbows, and waist slightly bent and have your feet facing forward.”

I follow his directions exactly, bending down as Luka moves behind me making sure my hands are in the right position.

Heat spreads through my body, and it’s not from the sun, nor from Luka, but from Caleb. He’s watching me or correction… staring.

Arms folded, head tilted, analyzing my every move. His gaze feels like it’s burning right through my bikini.

Caleb takes long strides toward me, tucking the board under his arm, holding the paddle in one hand. Luka must notice as he backs away almost instantly to go help Tia and Amir.

I squint up at Caleb, the sun in my eyes doing nothing to hide the ridges of his muscles on full display. His sunglasses push back his hair, and a few brown strands fall across his forehead. He looks as handsome as ever.

He ducks down to my eye level and swiftly takes off his sunglasses. Then he places them on my face, his fingers brushing my temples as he adjusts them so they’re not crooked.

“He keeps hovering around you like a damn mosquito,” he mutters, rolling his eyes.

“Jealous?”

“Yes.”

Before I can process how quickly he answered, Luka claps his hands. “Alright it’s time to get into the water. Carefully attach the leash to your ankles.”

The words barely leave his mouth before Caleb's on his knees, taking my leash, securing it around my ankle with ease.

My core pulses (completely against my will) and is definitely getting the wrong idea about him being on his knees. Dang it.

He peers up at me fastening the straps, his thumb grazing my ankle before pulling away. “There.” He then briskly fastens his own.

We step into the cool water, the sound of our family and friends cheering us on drifts from the beach. Ignoring the noise, I set my board down and steady myself, climbing on and settling into a kneeling position.

Gripping the paddle, I plunge it into the water, propelling myself forward as I edge deeper into the waves.

I bend my knees and use the board for balance as I push myself up to stand. I wobble, muscles trembling as the board rocks beneath me, but I force myself to find balance and stand tall.

“I did it!”

“You always can,” he says, paddling in small motions beside me.

We paddle around for a few minutes, getting the hang of it, then a small ripple throws me off balance, water almost splashes all over me but thankfully I catch myself.

“Careful.” Caleb’s eyes rake down my body and my breath stutters. “You’re gonna get wet.”

I tsk, murmuring to myself. “Too late for that.”