Page 114 of Tides That Bind

I’ve walked on tight ropes. I’ve climbed beams, dangled fromrings high above the ground. But I’mterrifiedbecause there is no safety net, no arms to catch me.

Just the water.

“Leap of faith, yeah?” Riley’s voice sounds, as if he’s reading my thoughts.

“Ablindleap of faith!”

I mean it literally because I shut my eyes again and dip just enough for a little leverage. The gentle push tosses my feet from Riley’s shoulders and all of my body follows as I flip backward off him and into the ocean.

I land feet first and well beneath the surface. And it’s here I stay, in this pocket of calm below the roar of the tide above me, for just a few seconds. Because even though Nate’s body is buried somewhere else, even though I can’t summon him every time I dream, I know I’ll always find a bit of him here.

I did it, I say toNate.We did it.

And that’s when I realize we’ve done a lot in a few months, Riley and me.

We’ve gone from hating each other to looking out for one another, to working toward a common goal because we both love Lucas.

And I know that’s what would make Nate happy—seeing his two favorite people on the same side, on therightside.

When I break through the surface, I find Riley turning his head left and right rather frantically and I feel bad.

“Hey,” I call out, smiling when he turns. “Wedidit.”

With one hand resting on the board, Riley treads over. Beneath the surface his other hand snakes around my waist and he leans his head to me.

“Maybe you’re right,” he whispers. “Maybe we are the magic.”

I press my lips to his. Even though magic can’t be explained, it certainly can never be wrong. And isn’t that what we are? Riley and I are the thing that can’t be explained or rationalized.We’re the thing that has you not believing your eyes, the wonder that inspires a sharp breath because you simply can’t believe it.

On land or offshore, whether I’m gripping the rug with my toes or flying off his shoulders and taking a blind leap of faith through fresh ocean air, I drown—happily—in our magic. With walls down, it’s not even willingly.

I can’t stop kissing him.

“You have to go.” Riley laughs at my lips, but he’s the one who holds me in place with a hand to the back of my head. His lips are lined with salt water, but inside his mouth is strongly sweet. And isn’t that him entirely? Gruff and rugged on the outside, but soft beneath tanned skin that always faintly smells like sunblock, even after he’s showered.

I finally do leave. Fifteen minutes later, I’ve peeled off my wetsuit and am practically skipping to my car.

“You know, I had a feeling that this was all Riley’s thing.” I jump when Silas’s voice sounds from behind me.

Closing the trunk where I’ve dumped my bag, I turn, tightening the towel around my waist. He stands in his uniform, his cruiser parked down the street. For a second I think filing the complaint was enough. He’s here to give me Tides back.

But Silas’s car is empty.

“I was planning to come to your place after my shift. Saw your car.” He presses his mouth together tightly when he pauses before adding, “And Riley’s.”

My eyes drift to Riley’s Jeep parked two spots over.

“This is his place of business,” I remind Silas. “Why wouldn’t he be there? And it’s a public beach. Why shouldn’tIbe here?”

Silas tips his head out to the surf. “You two were looking awfully cozy out there.”

“Did you come here to give me my dog back?” I ask, changing the subject immediately. Because as far as I’m concerned, that’s the only part of my business that involves Silas.

He sighs and shakes his head angrily. “Harper,whatare you doing?”

I jut my head back. “What amIdoing? Getting our dog back, that’s what I’m doing. If you don’t have him, I have nothing to say to you, Silas. You, your police friends, whoever, you can talk to my lawyer, alright?”

“Your lawyer?” Silas asks as I walk around to the driver’s side door. “Or your boyfriend? What’s it been? Barely six months?”

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