Page 54 of Forking the Billionaire

Ziggyhad made Esme laugh wholeheartedly. Even though they weren’t dating, he looked at her like he wished they were. And I still hadn’t found out what kind of caramel was her favorite. Something local, I assumed. I didn’t want to care, but for some reason, not knowing bothered me.

Why was he here? Had Esme invited him?

“Good morning, to those of you who are just arriving.” Ziggy turned toward the group, waved his hands, and flashed a smile as blinding as the sun. “Ready for some fun, party people?”

A few cheers came from down the shore where Layana’s sisters were standing.

Realization hit me like a crab claw to the back of the ankle.

Ziggy was the snorkeling instructor.

I felt my muscles tense even though there was no reason for it.

Ziggy demonstrated how to properly put on fins, snorkel, and flotation vest.

“Remember to breathe normally through your snorkel. Don’t hold your breath,” he said. “When you bite down on the mouthpiece, make sure it's snug. You don't want to be tasting seawater for the next week.”

A chuckle rippled across the group, as if that was somehow a hilarious joke.

“We’ll start by practicing this first step,” Ziggy said as he gestured for everyone to follow him into the water.

The ocean was my happy place. All I needed to do to reclaim my chill was focus on the sensations that always calmed me—the heat of the sun on my skin, the crisp scent of salt blowing through the air, and the rhythmic sounds unique to the sea.

I waded into the bath-warm water, relishing the weightlessness I felt as we left the shore behind. I tried to focus on being present, and on staying near Gabriel since he was the whole reason I was here.

“You ready for this?” Layana asked Gabriel.

“With clear instruction and proper safety, I’m sure it will be fine,” he said.

“No. It won’t befine,”she said with a wry twist of her lips. “It’ll be epic.”

Everyone followed Ziggy’s instruction to float face down to try out the gear. I went along with it, like a blade of seaweed riding the current.

A school of electric blue and yellow tangs darted between my legs. Their cool scales brushed against my skin. I could be present and enjoy this outing. I could?—

Again, Esme laughed. Again, I bristled.

This time it was more of a chuckle of amusement than a reaction to something she’d found all out hilarious. But the effect was equally as distracting.

I tried not to think about the fact that Esme was very likely in the water beside Ziggy, messing around instead of following directions. It took more effort than I’d care to admitnotto look at her.

“And, everyone up,” Ziggy called as he swam out ahead of the group. “You’re all naturals. A-plus form.”

That seemed unlikely.

“Kick with your fins from your hips, not your knees.” Ziggy demonstrated the move with the grace of a mermaid. “Think of it as gliding, not cycling. And most importantly, keep yourmovements smooth to conserve energy and not scare away the marine life. Also, be sure you aren't kicking up sand that could damage the reef. Everyone ready?”

“Yes!” Layana called.

More enthusiastic answers followed. Gabriel offered a curt nod in response.

“Now we're going to swim out in a group. I'll point out some cool sights but please donottouch anything."

We kicked off, following Ziggy over the shallow sandy bottom.

The reef gradually came into view below me, a kaleidoscope of color and texture. Spiny sea urchins clung to the coral, while angelic trumpetfish drifted above them with fins lazily waving in the current.

I wouldn’t think about the past, or about how snorkeling reminded me of the father who had never been present for me.

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