Page 92 of Swept Up In You

Today was the day.

They were going to hop on that boat and literally sail off into the sunset together.

Because Taylor still didn’t have many nautical miles under her belt, they were taking the first leg nice and slow. They’d keep close to the coast and make their way around the peninsula first as a practice in more protected waters. That way, they could ease into boat life and make sure this really was what both of them wanted. Then, they’d begin their main leg to Melbourne.

Things had ramped up so much in the lead-up to this day, Taylor had only just realised she hadn’t thought about Liz at all lately. Her fingers no longer twitched to check her Instagram, and she felt sofree—like she was finally letting go, living her life and not letting Liz or her past dictate her choices or haunt her thoughts any longer. The future was looking bright, especially with a certain blonde alongside her.

She took two large backpacks out of the van, closing the doors and making sure everything was locked. Thankfully, Taylor was able to keep her car in the storage yard while they were on their trip.

“I thought I saw a familiar van in the yard,” Sam said, waltzing over.

She looked up, the sight still taking her breath away. Sam had her hands shoved in her cut-offs, her hair lightly blowing in the breeze as she walked over, the beatific smile on her lips making Taylor light up in return.

Sam slipped her arms around Taylor and looked at her seriously. “Are you one hundred percent sure about this? It’s not too late to hop in that van and drive away.”

“I drove away once, and I learned my lesson. I’m not going anywhere. Am I certain about this trip? Definitely not. But you?”—she pressed her lips to Sam’s—“Positive. Our trip is scary and exciting, but I’m so ready to try this together. And I’ve loved every minute of what I’ve learned so far. Doing the real thing is going to be the biggest test, but I think I’ve got a pretty good crew.” Taylor winked, giving her a lopsided smile.

“I mean, Belle could learn to be a little more useful on deck,” Sam said with a straight face.

“She is very proficient in cuddling and dolphin whispering, at least.”

“This is true.” Sam chuckled, then nudged the backpacks with her toe. “What are these?”

“Uhh, I may have bought a couple of things to put on the boat.”

“Babe! We don’t have the space.”

Taylor held up her hands. “Wait, wait, wait. I know exactly where we can store them out of the way.Anddon’t you want to know what’s in them?”

“More tools?” Sam shrugged.

Taylor barked out a laugh. “No! Although don’t tempt me…”

Sam stood, hand on her hip, lips quirked.

“I’m kidding!” Taylor added. “I got usinflatablepaddleboards.”

Sam’s eyes lit up. “Seriously? But those bags look too small.” She studied the packs as if not quite believing what she was seeing.

“Exactly. They take up way less space than my rigid board, AND we can have one each.”

“How decadent,” Sam said, moving to the bag to unzip it. “Wow, they really are just all rolled up in there.”

“Yup. Wanna walk them down to the boat together? Maybe along the marina?” she paused. “If we have time, that is?”

Sam checked her phone, then picked up a backpack. “Oof, they’re heavy. We’ve got time, let’s go,” she replied, hoisting it onto her shoulders with a little help from Taylor.

The packs were heavier than they looked, and Taylor was regretting her suggestion with every step. They’d passed the marina and were coming up to the spot overlooking the ocean where they’d chatted on her first walk with Sam. How her life had changed since then.

“I have to say, our new home has a much bigger backyard.” Taylor swept her arm out to the open ocean. Sam looked puzzled before realisation dawned on her face.

“You’re so stupid. I love—” Sam coughed, cutting herself off, her eyes blowing wide. Taylor did the same, stunned on the spot, as Sam cleared her throat and continued, “—that about you,” she finished weakly.

Did she almost say I love you?Warmth bloomed deep in her chest. Did Sam love her already? Taylor knew she hadn’t felt like this before. She thought she’d loved Liz, but knowing how she felt now with Sam changed everything. It still scared her. It was all still so early, so new and so exciting. She wasn’t sure she was ready to say itjustyet, but soon. Very soon.

“The last time we stood here on the way to meet Manny, I certainly couldn’t have expected to be back here right now, about to leave together on said boat.” Her mind was a whirl of all thestudy and training she’d been doing recently. She hoped she was ready.

“I remember talking about the lightning from my bedroom window, andIcouldn’t have expectedyouto completely turn my life upside down and inside out—especially during that last storm. I feel like thunder is going to turn me on every time I hear it now.” Sam laughed, giving her a wicked grin.

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