Page 78 of Tiger's Voyage

Dinner consisted of a bass that Wes and Kishan had speared. It looked very nice, but I couldn’t touch it. Kishan held out a forkful asking me to at least try it, but I pushed his arm away. I filled up on salad and bread instead, noticing that Ren was missing from the table.

Changing the subject, Wes mentioned that we’d be docking in Trivandrum in a couple of days. “Every year Trivandrum has a giant beach party,” he explained. “All the surfers, divers, and the townspeople go. It’s a great time. There’s music, food, dancing, girls in bikinis … in fact, why don’t you come with me? You all should. Everyone’s invited.”

Mr. Kadam chuckled, “I think I will be staying on the boat, but you all go and enjoy yourselves.”

“Girls in bikinis? No wonder you want to go,” I teased. “But I’m not sure I’m up for a bikini babe kind of party.”

Wes shot me a dimpled smile. “Ah, now if I’d a had a pretty sweet young thing like you on my arm, I wouldna even notice them other gals.”

“I’m sure,” I giggled.

“How about it, Kelsey? Will you go to the party with me?”

“I’ll think about it and let you know tomorrow.”

Wes grabbed my hand as I rose and kissed it while Kishan growled softly. “Don’t make a feller wait too long. A feller waitin’ on a gal can get ornery’er than a huntin’ dog that’s treed its squirrel.”

“I’ll definitely keep that in mind. I think I’ll walk the deck for a while. Goodnight, Wes.”

“’Nite.”

Kishan quickly rose behind me, taking my hand. “I’ll walk with you.”

Hand-in-hand, we walked around to the other side of the boat and stood at the railing. I pointed out some dolphins that were swimming near our ship as if they were racing us. We watched them until they swam off.

Kishan leaned forward on the railing, looked at me, then took a deep breath and stared at the water again. “I was wondering something. Are you seriously considering going to that party with Wes? Because I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“Why on earth not?”

“I don’t trust him.”

I laughed. “Didn’t you just go spear fishing with him? He could have shish kebabbed you, and he didn’t, so obviously you do trust him.”

“I trust him with diving, just not with you. He’s too … slippery. Too free with his compliments. Too flippant. Those kinds of men take advantage of vulnerable women. He’s not for you.”

“And how would you know what kind of man he is and, even more importantly, what makes you think I’m vulnerable?”

“Kelsey. Ren just broke up with you, and you’re still hurting from that. Youarevulnerable, believe it or not.”

“Well, vulnerable or not, I still get to make my own choices. You tigers can’t plan every aspect of my life. If I want to go with Wes, I will.”

“I know that. I … just didn’t think you were ready to move on yet.”

“Apparently, moving on is what I have to do.”

“That doesn’t mean you’re ready, Kelsey.”

I sighed. “Durga said I had to keep leaping. She said the point in life is to get across the river. She doesn’t want me to stagnate in the mud. So I guess I might as well get a move on.”

Kishan was quiet for several seconds, then said, “Are you sure you’re ready to take that leap?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

He turned to look at me and took my hands. “Then … I want you to consider going with me instead.”

I squirmed inside. “Go with you?”

A jumble of thoughts raced through my mind.Going with Wes to aparty was one thing. I could have fun with Wes and feel comfortable knowinghe didn’t expect anything from me. Going with Kishan was an entirely differentmatter. With him it would be like a real date. Was I ready to take that step with Kishan? No matter how much Ren or Durga pushed me to, the answerwas … no. Okay, let him down gently.