Page 58 of Rescuing Mia

“It’s nothing.” She shakes her head, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. “I’m just... I’m just a little tired, that’s all.”

I reach out, covering her hand with mine. Despite the heat of the sun, her skin is cold to the touch.

“You know you can talk to me, right? About anything.”

She’s silent for a long moment, her gaze fixed on our joined hands. Her eyes reveal a struggle, fear warring with the desire to confide in me, but when she finally speaks, her words are carefully chosen, divulging nothing.

“I’m just—just dealing with some things. Things I thought I could leave behind, but—but they keep catching up to me.”

My heart aches at the pain in her voice, at the fear that seems to emanate from her in waves. I want to gather her in my arms, to promise her that everything will be alright, but I know that would be a lie.

Because the truth is, I don’t know what Mia’s running from. I don’t know what demons haunt her dreams or what secrets she’s carrying. But I do know one thing.

I wait until she meets my gaze, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

“Whatever you’re facing, whatever you’re afraid of… You’re not alone. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere. We’ll face it together, okay?”

A single tear escapes to trail down her cheek. I brush it away with my thumb, my touch lingering on the softness of her skin.

“Thank you,” she whispers, her voice thick with emotion. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but—but I’m glad you’re here.”

I smile, the warmth of it spreading through my chest. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

We sit like that for a long time, hands clasped, the silence between us heavy with unspoken fears and unspoken promises. I feel Mia’s inner turmoil, the weight of the secrets she carries, but I don’t push. She’ll tell me when she’s ready and when she feels safe enough to let me in.

As much as I want to stay with her to offer her the comfort of my presence, I have to join Pete for our second dive. With a gentle squeeze of her hand and a promise to return soon, I make my way back to the dive deck.

The second dive is just as thrilling as the first. The underwater world is a kaleidoscope of colors and life. Pete and I explore a new section of the reef, marveling at the intricate coral formations and the vibrant schools of fish that dart around us.

After our second dive, we break for lunch, taking an extended surface interval before dives three and four. Mia joins us, her smile a little brighter, her laughter a little more genuine. We talk and joke, sharing stories of our adventures and our dreams for the future.

“So, what’s your favorite dive so far?” Mia asks, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

I grin, leaning back in my chair. “Honestly? The fourth dive of the day, the dusk dive.”

Pete nods, a knowing smile on his face. “Ah, yes. When the day shift clocks out and the night shift clocks in.”

“What do you mean?” Mia tilts her head, intrigued.

“During the day, the reef is bustling with activity.” My excitement grows with each word. “Fish are out and about, swimming and feeding, but as the sun sets, they retreat into the safety of the coral, hiding from predators.”

“And that’s when the night creatures emerge,” Pete chimes in, his eyes twinkling. “Shrimp, crabs, worms… All the things that hide during the day come out to play.”

“That sounds intense.” Mia’s eyes widen with wonder, but her face is filled with apprehension.

“It’s magical.” I reach out, taking her hand in mine. “The water is alive with bioluminescence, and the creatures… They’re like nothing you’ve ever seen.”

“I can’t wait to hear all about it.” She smiles, squeezing my hand.

The third and fourth dives are everything I hoped for and more. The reef transforms as the sun dips below the horizon, the vibrant colors of the day giving way to the eerie, ethereal glow of the night.

I lose myself in the wonder of it all, my camera capturing the dance of the nocturnal creatures, the shimmer of the bioluminescent plankton, and the haunting beauty of the moonlit coral.

When I finally surface, my heart is full to bursting, and my mind reels with the incredible sights I’ve seen. I can’t wait to share it all with Mia and see the awe in her eyes as I describe the wonders of the deep.

I find her on the upper deck, her face tilted toward the stars, a soft smile on her lips. She turns as I approach, her eyes lighting up at the sight of me.

“Welcome back,” she murmurs, stepping into my arms. “How was it?”

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