Page 27 of Obsession Under the Southern Stars

“I like the album,” he says as he navigates the one-way system.

“It’s Troy Kingi,” I reply, naming a popular Maori artist who lives locally. The song playing,All Your Ships Have Sailed, is funky and moody, perfect for a hot summer’s day. “Seemed appropriate.”

“Yeah, it’s terrific.”

He takes the road out of town, and soon we’re on Redcliffs Road, heading east toward the coast. The landscape opens up, revealing we’re on a peninsula, with Te Puna Inlet on our left and Kerikeri Inlet on our right. It’s a beautiful drive, with rolling fields and forests, huge houses and farms nestled in the dips, and the glorious bright blue ocean on either side. He follows the signs for the Cruising Club and the Marina, turns down a steeply sloping drive, and then we emerge onto a large car park facing before at least five long piers lined with boats.

“Wow.”

“I know,” he says, driving down to a space near the front and parking. “Gorgeous day for it, too.”

We get out and collect our backpacks, leave our cases locked in the car, and I follow him down to one of the piers and along to a boat at the end.

I’m not a sailor and know nothing about boats, but Joel told me this one is a 750 Pro Dive Boat belonging to MOANA, called, somewhat awfully,The Codfather. It looks like the perfect size for the six of us. Emma and Clive are already there, getting everything ready. Joel walks me through the archaeological equipment—the brushes and other handheld tools, the clipboards and waterproof drawing slate, waterproof paper, pencils, tags and cable ties, tape measures,diver’s compass, flagging tape, a hand-held GPS, an underwater metal detector, an underwater camera, and lots of other bits and pieces. He’s incredibly knowledgeable and knows all the equipment inside out.

It also becomes clear to me as the others turn up that even though Joel is the youngest, he’s obviously in charge of the team. Hori and Manu, already in their wetsuits, follow his instructions to check the scuba equipment. Clive is in shorts and tee, and it turns out that he and Emma will be staying on board, looking after the boat and all the equipment while the rest of us dive.

As I struggle into my wetsuit, I feel a bubbling sense of excitement. My days are usually spent in the conservation room at the museum, or working on exhibitions, so it’s a chance to get my hands dirty and my feet wet for once.

And I can’t deny that part of my excitement is about spending the day with Joel. It’s just because he’s a good friend, I insist privately, but I know I’m fooling myself. I still have no intention of getting involved with him, but a girl can fantasize, right?

Chapter Seven

Joel

Despite the fact that wetsuits are skintight, I’ve never thought of them as sexy garments. Maybe it’s because I’m so at home in them, and I just don’t think of them that way.

But then I see Zoe. Her suit is black with a turquoise band across the shoulders and turquoise arms. She looks incredibly hot. The neoprene clings to her bust, follows the curve of her waist, flares over her hips, and clings to her thighs. Wow.

Conscious that I can’t afford to get turned on when my own wetsuit leaves nothing to the imagination, I clear my throat and say, “All ready?”

“Yep,” she says. Her eyes are sparkling, and her dark hair lifts in the summer breeze.

I want to kiss her. But I force myself to turn away and say, “Come on then. Let’s get started.”

I make sure Hori and Manu are happy with the dive equipment, check a few things myself, then tell Clive we’re ready to leave, and before long we’re heading out of the inlet toward the island.

It’s fantastic to be out on the water, with a whole day’s diving ahead of us. Zoe’s sitting on the bench, keeping out of everyone’s way as we go over the dive plan. I can feel her gaze on me, and when we’re done, I go over and sit beside her.

“You okay?” I ask.

She nods. “I haven’t seen you like this before,” she says softly.

My eyebrows rise. “Like what? Bossing everyone about, you mean?”

Her lips curve up. “Partly. But normally you’re so laid back. Today you’ve lit up, as if someone’s plugged you in.”

I smile. “I like diving.”

“See! You’re smiling.”

“I smile all the time.”

“No you don’t. You hardly ever smile. But today you’re all…” Her gaze scans me. “Illuminated. You’re like Kiwa.”

“Are you trying to make me blush?” Kiwa was one of the male divine guardians of the ocean in Maori mythology.

“Maybe,” she says.

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