Page 91 of The Scientist

“How?” I asked breathlessly. It was so incredible. It was like someone had plunged neon glow sticks right under the surface of the water.

“It’s a chemical reaction from various organisms living in the ocean. It causes them to emit this blue light near the surface of the water. It’s usually triggered by motion, which is why you can see it so well near these rocks.”

My eyes were completely transfixed on this impossible phenomenon happening right in front of me. I couldn’t tear my eyes away. It looked like something out of a fairytale.

“It’s so beautiful.” The smile I was wearing felt fixed to my face. “I don’t think I’ll ever want to leave.”

“We have some time. Look as long as you want,” he said in a hushed tone.

Second only to helping my mom get into the trial, this was the most amazing thing anyone had ever done for me. Both gifts were from the man standing next to me. I looked up at him, and his eyes seemed to be shining just as brightly as the water, but they were even more beautiful to me.

“Okay, but I think I’m starting to get cold again,” I lied as I took his arms and wrapped them around me, my back pressing into his chest. He laughed softly, pulling me in closer as I looked out, watching the bright blue water dancing across the rock line. The moment was so perfect with the ethereal glow of the moonlight shining above us in the stillness of the night… I couldn’t help myself. My brain was always thinking musically, and there was one song in particular playing through my mind.

“When the night has come,” I started to sing softly. “And the land is dark. And the moon is the only light we’ll see. No, I won’t be afraid. Oh, I won’t be afraid. Just as long as you stand, stand by me.”

He leaned down and his breath tickled my ear as he said, “I could listen to that sound all my life and never grow tired of it.”

I turned in his arms to look up at him. His eyes moved over my face with infinite tenderness before his gaze locked with mine.

“I know I’ve already said it and so has everyone else at this point, but would it be crazy if I told you again how incredibly beautiful you are?”

I smiled. “Not when it’s coming from the only person I want to hear say it.”

He lifted his hand to cup my face and stroked his thumb along my cheek. I closed my eyes briefly at the softness of his touch, and my heart started to beat rapidly in my chest. I could feel my pulse throbbing all the way up my neck. I took his free hand and placed it over the center of my chest so he could feel how fast it was beating.

“Tell me why it does that,” I whispered.

His lips were parted, and he was breathing a little more heavily as he lifted his fingertips to brush along the side of my head just above my ear. “Your amygdala, just here, is readying your body for fight or flight,” he said softly. He brushed my hair back and smiled before saying, “Which will it be?”

I looked down at his mouth, aching to have it on mine. “Well, I’m definitely not going anywhere.”

He leaned down and captured my lips with his. This kiss was different from the first one. It wasn’t rushed or full of the same overpowering intensity. It was gentle and slow-burning, leaving me aching all over.

One hand held my neck, while the other grasped my waist. I placed my palms against his chest and took my time memorizing the way his lips moved against mine. The kiss deepened, and I wrapped my arms around his neck as he pulled me in close. I exhaled raggedly through my nose as he took his time kissing me, our tongues dancing slowly across one another.I don’t know how long we stayed like that, but after what only felt like minutes, I heard the captain behind us clearing his throat.We pulled apart, laughing.

I assumed he told Lex in Spanish that it was time to get going because Lex took my hand and walked us back to our seats at the front of the boat. He wrapped his arm around me without me having to ask this time, and I leaned my head against him, feeling happier than I’d felt in a very long time as we made our way back to shore.

Chapter 21

My mom’s birthday was tomorrow, and I still hadn’t found anything for her. The three of us—me, my mom, and Carl—were just planning on having dinner together at home since she couldn’t really go out. She was tolerating food a little better these days, so I decided I was going to make her favorite—chicken and veggie stir fry. I had tried all week to find her a gift but to no avail.

When Saturday came around, Lionel and Sarah offered to go shopping with me. We spent the morning on the hunt at some of the more eclectic shops until I stumbled on the perfect thing, an antique watch that looked just like the one my grandmother used to wear. I knew she would love it.

Lex was working again today, but he still texted me throughout the day.

Alexsander Strovinski:I’m usually the one having to tell everyone to put away their phones and get back to work. But now I’ve got mine glued to my hand, thanks to you.

My face split into a stupid, sappy grin.

Hadley Olivier:You’re the boss. You can do whatever you want.

Alexsander Strovinski:I’m serious. This time I’m really putting my phone away.

Hadley Olivier:No, you hang up first.

Alexsander Strovinski: …….

I guess I should let him get back to work. He had been trying to do so for an hour now, but I kept sending him suggestive texts and dirty emojis.