Page 138 of Damaged

I frown. “No. But how’d you know that’s where I was?”

“You mentioned it the other day.”

I’m pretty sure I didn’t, but my brain might be slipping from my anxiousness.

We have a long breakfast together. Their flight out isbeforemy boat’s departure, and my stomach knots as I start counting down the hours until they’ll have to call a cab to the airport.

Maybe I’ll say screw this and go back with them. Maybe I won’t spend three months on a boat. Maybe I’ll apply for graduate programs and live in a little apartment with Steve as I get a master’s in archeology. That’s not the worst idea.

I have options. While treasure hunting may be the closest thing to living my dream, this feels… rash. Everyone I talk to about it thinks it sounds super cool. And I guess it is. It’s once-in-a-lifetime stuff. The thing you do before you have a boyfriend and more responsibilities.

Three months. It goes quickly anyway. Might as well get one more big paycheck and then be a student again. And I won’t be a broke student. I won’t have to work weekends or weeknights while taking classes. I can focus on my studies. Excel in them.

So, I have a plan. Be brave. I’ll do this and move on.

When I see Hailee and Alana out to their cab, it’s an emotional goodbye. At least for me. I shed a couple tears.

“You’re going to have the time of your life, Sophia. It’s hard before you’re there, but trust me,” Hailee says. “Three months is nothing.”

“I’ll email you Steve pictures every week. Expect a big drop on Sundays,” Alana says. We all hug, and then I’m waving at the tinted windows of the taxi and laughing because I can only barely see the flash of movement as they wave back.

The silence after their departure makes me nearly ill. The distant sound of waves. The whoosh of wind through the palms. I’m all alone and about to be surrounded by strangers, most of whom have far more credentials than I do.

What if they treat me like the new girl? What if they’re mocking and not very nice? After all, my job isn’t the most serious role on the research vessel. I’ll make social media videos, and only after my video quota is complete will I be a research assistant.

It’s no use worrying until I’m there, but I can’t help it.

Pretty soon, it’s my turn to call a cab.

The boat is leaving from a pier up the shore from Nassau’s main marina. I spot it well before the cab is close.

The boat is enormous. It’s white with the big black radar rotating on top. The back of the boat is open and flat. It could be used for a helipad, but I can see two submersibles being stored there.

Okay, that’s pretty cool. I have a little bit of excitement next to my anxiety. My luggage is taken aboard as soon as the cab pulls to a stop. There’s a circus of activity. Men are using a crane to put cargo in the back, and a few members of the media are taking pictures and setting up cameras.

Everyone is running around, and I don’t even know which gangplank to use to board, since there’s one towards the front and another closer to where they’re loading crates.

“Sophia, right?” A woman in a tan suit and bright blue heels comes strolling over to me. It’s Melissa, the woman who first DM’d me for the job.

“Yeah,” I say, a little intimidated by her suit and height. She’s at least 6’1” in her heels.

“Great to see you. Bernard loved you in that photograph.”

I don’t like the sound of that.

“I’m busy, but Michael here said he could show you around. I can give you a more thorough tour and introduction to your duties once we’ve set sail.”

“Sophia.” I hear a familiar voice. I turn to see Michael. He’s wearing a Hawaiian shirt and cargo shorts. He holds his arms wide for a hug, and I smell him before we even embrace.

The scent is a little sour. I’m sure he’s been working all day in the sun, but there’s not a hint of deodorant. I need to not judge. This is probably a crazy day for everyone.

I turn to say goodbye to Melissa, but she’s already gone.

“How was your flight?” he asks.

“Oh, I arrived a few days ago. I was in the Bahamas, so I made a vacation out of it.”

“Nice! You know how to do it. You ready?” He gestures towards the boat.

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