Page 41 of A Simple Reminder

Sophie’s lips part slightly, intrigue flashing in her eyes. “You went for the third one, didn’t you?”

“Of course I did,” I say, a huge grin spreading on my face as if I’m proud of my failure. “I wanted to impress her so badly, I didn’t even consider that I’d never actually dived from that height before.

I pause for a moment, the embarrassing details flooding back. “So, there I am, climbing up to the highest point, feeling every eye on the beach tracking me. I mean, the climb itself was nerve-wracking. And when I finally made it to the edge, looking down at the water so far below, my heart almost jumped out of my chest. It was so high, Soph, and I started contemplating not jumping. To just turn around.”

Sophie chuckles. “You didn’t jump, I hope.”

“I wish I hadn't,” I admit with a laugh. “I stood there a good long while, trying to muster the courage. Unfortunately, people started cheering, egging me on, and well pride is a tough thing. I couldn’t back down, not with Manon watching.”

“And?” Sophie prompts, wincing again but clearly engaged.

“And I jumped. But it was less of a dive and more of a… Well, a screaming flail. I hit the water so hard, belly-flopping in front of everyone. It knocked the wind right out of me. I came up sputtering, and gasping for air, my dignity nowhere to be found. Even the lifeguards were trying not to laugh while saving me.”

“Oh no, Liam! That sounds painful.”

“She never spoke to me again. It was bruising in more ways than one,” I admit. “But you know what? It put things into perspective for me. I learned a valuable lesson about trying too hard to impress someone.”

“That you should never dive to impress a girl?” she teases, a playful glint in her eyes.

I laugh, shaking my head. “Not quite. More like, to not try to impress a girl who doesn’t see me. To save those efforts for someone important.” She watches me curiously as I speak. “I guess what I'm trying to say is that the person I want to impress now is someone who really gets me. Not just the surface stuff—the dives, the jokes—but the real, sometimes quiet, sometimes complicated person underneath.”

My gaze drifts off momentarily, lost in thoughts of how–for Sophie–I’d dive off hundreds of platforms if it meant impressing her. “That girl deserves the world. And for her, I’d belly-flop from any height,” I add, my voice lowering with sincerity.

As my eyes meet hers again, they carry an unspoken connection, a silent acknowledgment that perhaps, just perhaps, she understands that she is very much the main character of those thoughts.

“All done,” the tattoo artist announces, a note of satisfaction in his voice as he steps back to let her see the mirror. His announcement snaps us back to the present.

Sophie gets up slowly, moving to the mirror with a mix of eagerness and nervousness. Her hand reaches up, touching the small, beautifully detailed tattoo delicately. It's three forget-me-nots.

“It's perfect,” she breathes out, her face lighting up with a radiant smile. She turns to me, her eyes shining. “Thank you, Liam.”

“No need to say th—ouff.” My words are cut short as she crashes into me. Her arms wrap around me, pulling me into a tight embrace.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, my hand instinctively caressing the back of her head. She doesn’t answer. “Sunshine?” The nickname slips out effortlessly. It suits her perfectly—she’s radiant, her smile warming me up like the sun’s rays, a warmth I can’t shake, no matter how hard I try. And every time she's not around, I’m left cold, craving her warmth.

Her eyes meet mine as she looks up, and they look even lighter with the tears filling them. “Can you take a photo, so I can send it to my dad?” she asks, her voice quivering slightly with emotion.

I kiss the top of her head. “Of course I can,” I assure her, feeling a tug at my heartstrings. She releases her grip on me sooner than I’d like. If it were up to me, I would have held her for much longer, just to ensure she felt safe.

Taking her phone from her, I get ready to capture the perfect shot of her new tattoo. Before I snap the photo, I gently move her hair aside to ensure the tattoo is fully visible. My fingers slide over the soft skin of her neck, and I notice goosebumps erupting under the light touch.My touch affected her.The thought sends a quiet thrill through me, but I focus on the task at hand, capturing a photo that she’ll be proud to share.

She takes the phone back and sends it to her father. “Okay, now on to the next tattoo?” she says with a playful smirk.

“The next tattoo?” I echo, a bit confused. “There isn’t a next.”

“I’m getting one on my finger like you.” She’s completely serious, her eyes steady on mine.

I glance down at the Arabic scribble on my finger,Nasib.

“Why would you get that?”

“Because meeting you feels like destiny,” she explains, her voice soft but firm. “Being with you here now, it feels like it was always meant to happen.”

NINETEEN

SOPHIE

PRESENT

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