Page 57

"Says the woman who arranged private access to a secret waterfall," Lila countered, floating on her back to gaze up at the canopy above. "I think you've got me beat in the grand gesture department."

Serena swam closer, water droplets clinging to her eyelashes and the silver streaks in her hair darkened to gunmetal. "Is it working?"

"Is what working?"

"My diabolical plan to make our remaining time memorable enough that you won't forget me the minute I board that plane."

Though delivered lightly, the question held a vulnerability that caught Lila off guard. She righted herself in the water, finding her footing on the smooth stones of the pool bottom so she could face Serena directly.

"As if I could ever forget you," she said softly.

Serena's eyes softened at Lila's words, the water around them catching ripples of sunlight as they stood facing each other in the hidden pool.

"Come here." Serena opened her arms.

Lila moved into the embrace without hesitation, the cool water swirling between their warm bodies as they held each other beneath the cascading waterfall. Serena's lips found hers in a kiss that tasted of mineral-rich water and unspoken promises.

They swam for the better part of an hour, sometimes playful—Serena showing surprising skill at underwater handstands that made Lila laugh until her sides hurt—and sometimes quiet, floating on their backs side by side, fingers interlaced as they watched sunlight filter through the forest canopy above.

"Hungry?" Serena asked eventually, nodding toward her backpack on the rocks.

"Starving," Lila admitted.

They climbed out, water streaming from their bodies as they settled on sun-warmed stones. Serena unzipped her pack, revealing a small feast: fresh tropical fruits, artisan bread, local cheese, and a container of something that smelled divine.

"The resort chef's special ceviche," Serena explained, arranging their impromptu picnic on a flat boulder. "Apparently, it's won awards."

"You really did think of everything." Lila wrapped herself in the light beach towel Serena handed her, touched by the thoughtfulness behind each detail.

"I'm learning from the best." Serena popped a piece of mango into her mouth. "You've been teaching me to pay attention to small things since I arrived on this island."

"Me?" Lila asked, genuinely surprised.

"The way you notice everything, like how the light changes throughout the day, which flowers bloom in morning versus evening, and the different bird calls." Serena handed her a slice of perfectly ripe papaya. "You see the world in high definition while most of us are watching the low-res version."

The observation surprised Lila. Few people had ever recognized that quality in her. Sophie had actually mocked it, calling her "distractible" when she paused to watch butterflies or admire cloud formations.

"It's just how I'm wired," she said, accepting the fruit. "Being present is natural for me."

"It's a gift," Serena replied seriously. "One I'm only beginning to understand."

They ate in comfortable silence for a while, the waterfall providing a gentle acoustic backdrop to their meal. Lila studied Serena's profile against the lush greenery, memorizing the elegant line of her jaw, the subtle arch of her eyebrows, the way droplets of water still clung to her hair.

"What are you thinking?" Serena asked, catching her gaze.

"That I'm capturing mental photographs," Lila admitted. "Moments I want to remember exactly as they are."

Instead of retreating from the emotional honesty as she might have days earlier, Serena simply nodded. "I'm doing the same."

She reached into her pack again, producing a small flat package wrapped in simple cotton cloth. "I have something for you. It's not... well, just open it."

Lila unwrapped the cloth to find a journal bound in buttery-soft leather dyed the exact turquoise of the lagoon they'd visited together. Embossed on the cover was a small spiral design that mimicked the shell she'd once shown Serena—broken, then healed stronger at the fracture.

"Open it," Serena prompted softly.

Inside, the cream-colored pages were blank except for a single inscription on the first page in Serena's precise handwriting:

For memories worth keeping. Thank you for teaching me to be present. —S.

Lila ran her fingers over the words, emotion tightening her throat. "It's beautiful."

"I know digital is more efficient," Serena said, a hint of her old self-deprecating humor surfacing. "But some things deserve to be written by hand."

"When did you even have time to get this made?"

"I have my ways." Serena's mysterious smile faded into something more vulnerable. "I wanted to give you something that would last beyond these four days. Something that represents what you've given me."

The simple gift held more meaning than the most expensive jewelry or lavish present. It acknowledged what had grown between them and recognized the impact they'd had on each other, yet made no demands about what might come after their goodbye.

"Thank you," Lila said, leaning forward to kiss her gently. "I'll treasure it."

Afterward, they packed up their picnic and swam one last time, diving beneath the waterfall to discover a small air pocket behind the curtain of water where sound changed quality, becoming both muffled and amplified simultaneously.

"It's like being in another world," Lila said, voice echoing strangely against the rock wall.

Serena pulled her close, water cascading just inches from their shoulders. "That's how I feel every moment I'm with you."

The simple truth in her voice made something expand in Lila's chest—not quite pain, but an ache of sweetness so intense it bordered on unbearable.

They left their hidden oasis reluctantly, bodies pleasantly tired from swimming as they retraced their path up the steep trail. The golf cart waited where they'd left it, but Serena made no move to start it immediately.

"What next?" Lila asked, combing fingers through her damp hair.

Serena smiled, that new, unguarded expression that transformed her entire face. "The day's just beginning."

The golf cart wound its way back down the hillside, Serena navigating the steep path with newfound confidence.

Lila leaned back in her seat, the journal pressed against her chest, her still-damp hair lifting in the breeze.

The morning's perfection had left her feeling almost buoyant, as if the island's gravity had somehow lessened.

"So where to now?" she asked as they approached the main resort area. "Or is that still classified information?"

"Still classified," Serena confirmed, that playful smile returning. "Though I will say it involves the ocean."

"The ocean narrows it down to roughly seventy-five percent of possible activities on a tropical island."

"Patience isn't your strong suit, is it?" Serena teased, taking a turn that led toward the eastern side of the island.

"Says the woman who answers emails at 3 a.m. because waiting until morning is unbearable."

Serena laughed. "Fair point."

They rounded a final curve in the path, and Lila spotted a small dock extending into a sheltered cove where resort staff rarely brought guests. Bobbing gently against the weathered wood was a sailboat, its white hull gleaming in the midday sun, sails furled but ready.

"You're kidding," Lila breathed, sitting up straighter. "We're going sailing?"

"I had a feeling you might enjoy it." Serena parked the cart and turned toward her, studying Lila's reaction with evident pleasure. "Maika mentioned that you sometimes watch the sailboats from the beach."

The small detail touched her deeply. This wasn't a generic luxury experience; it was personally crafted with her in mind.

"I've always wanted to learn," Lila admitted as they approached the dock. "But I’ve never had the opportunity."

A man in crisp white shorts and a navy polo spotted them and waved. "Ms. Frost, Ms. Skye, welcome! I'm Captain Miguel. Everything is ready for your afternoon sail."

Serena shook his hand. "Thank you for arranging this on short notice."

"My pleasure. It's a perfect day for it—steady breeze, clear skies." He gestured toward the boat with pride. "The Silver Whisper is one of our finest vessels. She'll give you a smooth ride."

As they boarded, Lila noticed the small table set up in the cockpit, complete with a bottle of champagne chilling in an ice bucket.

"Are you trying to get me tipsy on the high seas, Ms. Frost?" she whispered as Captain Miguel busied himself with pre-sailing checks.

"Just covering all bases of a proper maritime experience," Serena replied with mock innocence. "Though I've arranged for Miguel to teach us the basics, so we'll need to keep our wits about us."

The idea of Serena Frost willingly putting herself in the position of novice student sent a wave of tenderness through Lila. "You continue to surprise me.”

Serena's expression softened. "Good. That's the plan."

As the captain untied the mooring lines and the boat drifted away from the dock, Lila felt a curious mixture of excitement and melancholy wash over her.

They were sailing into perfect blue waters under cloudless skies, creating exactly the kind of memory she'd asked for—one worth keeping long after their goodbye.

The sails caught the wind with a satisfying snap, and the boat heeled slightly, finding its rhythm against the gentle waves.

Captain Miguel began explaining the basics of sailing, demonstrating how to adjust the lines and steer with the tiller.

To Lila's delight, Serena proved a quick study, her analytical mind grasping the physics of wind and sail with natural ease.

"You're a natural," the captain praised as Serena executed a perfect tack, bringing the boat smoothly about on a new heading.

"I have excellent motivation," Serena replied, shooting a glance at Lila that made her cheeks warm despite the cooling sea breeze.