Page 93 of On The Beach

I was supposed to leave the island in a day, and I didn't know what to do to convince Mick that we weren't ending just because I was going to Cambridge.

"There she is!" Franco called, tossing a flat stone into the waves. "You off saving the world tomorrow, Belle?"

"Well…." I grinned, plopping down beside Mick in the sand. "I might be saving a few lives soon." I held up my phone, the screen glowing with the email I'd waited months for. "It's happening, Mick—the second batch of results just came in, and we're seeing positive effects for Sanfilippo Syndrome in the kids." I could barely contain my excitement. "This is real progress. I have to get back to Cambridge to keep things moving!"

The whole crew broke into cheers and applause, with Nick even spilling some of his drink as he held it up in a toast.

"See, Mick?" Cato rolled his eyes. "You didn't ruin her career by dragging her to paradise."

I laughed, nudging Mick's shoulder, who looked most proud.

"Which brings me to…anotheridea," I said, looking at Mick meaningfully. "You, me, Reef Harbor—and Cambridge. Let's make it work. You've got enough money to charter a plane anytime you want, Dr. Augustus,andI need to learn to escape the lab and find my peacewithyou."

I could work in Reef Harbor but at a slower pace, for maybe thirty hours a week instead of seventy. I could take weekends off. I couldloveMick.

He blinked at me, and the laughter around us quieted as everyone leaned in, clearly invested in whatever crazy scheme was about to come out of my mouth.

"So," I continued, grinning up at him, "come with me tomorrow and help me. We split our time. Reef Harbor and Cambridge. Your money, my brain, plus your brain—we're unstoppable. Besides," I added, "you'll always have a tan. I'll make sure of it."

Mick looked at me, a slow grin spreading across his face. "So, you want me to follow you back to Cambridge, only to fly us both back here whenever we need a break?"

"That's the plan," I said, holding my breath and waiting for his answer. He glanced at Franco, who was giving him an enthusiastic thumbs-up. RiRi, who'd come out to investigate the cheering, put an arm around Cato, a big smile on their faces. Even Toothless Nick looked happy.

"And you promise to take breaks?" Mick mused.

"You'll never have to drug me again," I vowed.

"You know what?" Mick laughed. "I think that's the most genius plan you've ever come up with."

"About time, you both," Franco growled, "It's been fucking impossible to see the two of you fumble this shit."

Before I could reply, we heard Officer Ray Jenkins's voice, drawling in his usual unimpressed tone as he strolled by, hands in his pockets. "I hear I'll be seeing less of you, Belle. Leaving Mick here to be the troublemaker alone?"

"Not a chance," Mick shot back, laughing. "She's dragging me right along with her."

"Can you keep him there?" Ray wanted to know.

"Nah, we're going to be coming backallthe time," I told him. He made a face.

Everyone cheered again, and as I looked around at the absurd, wonderful mess that was my Reef Harbor family, I knew I wouldn't be giving any of it up—not Reef Harbor, not my work, and especially not Mick.

Later that night, Mick and I took a walk along the beach, just the two of us under a sky blazing with stars. The water lapped quietly at our feet, and for the first time in months, I felt like I could breathe. The ocean air was warm, and with Mick beside me, the reality of our new plan started to sink in.

"You know," I kicked at the sand, "for a guy who left it all behind, you're not so bad at managing a double life."

He chuckled, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "All part of my charm. So, you're really okay with this? Going between Reef Harbor and Cambridge?"

I looked up at him, smiling. "More than okay." I hesitated, my voice softer. "Mick, I…I love you."

He stopped, staring down at me, and in that moment, everything else seemed to fall away. "Belle," he murmured, pulling me close. "I've been in love with you since you showed up at Coral Cove looking for me."

Our kiss was perfect, right there under the stars—and that's exactly when I felt something sharp and searing wrap around my ankle.

"Ah!" I yelped, pulling back, hopping up and down. "Something just stung me!"

Mick's face went from love-struck to amused. "Did you step on a jellyfish?"

I hobbled over to a rock, clutching my ankle. "I don't know, but it's burning, Mick! Do something!"

---