Page 7 of Changing Tides

“I’m fine,” I shout.

I’m about to swim to them when a voice interrupts my movement.

“Looks like someone wants to be friends,” the man says with a chuckle, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he grins.

The little fish flies out of the water again and splashes water in my face as he lands by my chest.

“Well, he’s an awfully persistent thing, isn’t he?” I reply playfully.

He laughs, and it echoes through the water.

“Absolutely. But I can’t say I blame him. Showing off for a pretty girl.”

My heart skips.

He paddles toward me and stops once he reaches my side, water droplets glistening on his skin.

“I’m Sebastian, by the way,” he says, extending a hand.

“Avie,” I reply, shaking his hand with a smile.

“Didn’t I see you on the beach the other day?” he asks.

“I’m not sure. Maybe,” I lie. “My friend and I arrived on the island on Sunday.”

“Where are you staying?” he asks.

“At The Stanhope Grand Resort on Waikiki.”

He grins. “Yeah, I’m sure it was you.”

“We did notice some guys surfing. Was that you?”

He bites his lip and nods. “Yep, me and my buddies are here to catch some waves for a few days before heading back home.”

I open my mouth to ask where home is when a whistle sounds, drawing our attention to Alex standing aboard theCoral King.

“I think that means my time is up,” I mutter, disappointment in my voice.

I slide my eyes back to his.

The sun has dipped lower, casting a warm amber glow over the water.

“It was a pleasure to meet you, Avie.”

“Same,” I say.

He kicks his feet and begins to float away on his back.

“I hope we run into each other again,” he bellows, and a flutter of excitement dances in my chest at the sound of his deep voice.

“Maybe we will,” I call back.

I swim over to the boat and take Alex’s hand as he helps me climb aboard. I grab a towel from the basket on the right and wrap it around myself. I pluck the fins from my feet and walk to the bench seat where Amiya is chatting with the hot crew guy.

“Hey, I lost you out there,” she says as I take a seat.

“Did you have a good time?” I ask.

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