Page 19 of Spencer

Spencer narrowed his eyes. “Uh, huh. Whereisthat Coast Guard patrol boat that was supposed to be here with support divers?”

Spencer got a huff of frustration from his skipper. “They received an emergency call from a trawler that was taking on water not too far from here. They’re ETA now, if all goes well with that, is unknown, but they think it will be more than an hour.”

That sucked, but Spencer wasn’t going to waste a second, lamenting. They’d either show up while he was under, or not.

Regardless, he had plans to implement.

For his next dive, he wanted not only to pre-lower extra air for his cutting tool, but he wanted to carry his only, additional sidemount tank, which he’d have strapped to his legs during the trip down. That would extend his breathing time so he could hopefully complete the next stage of cutting that needed to be done in one dive, while still retaining enough air to share with Tabitha on the way up, via a buddy regulator.

It was a solid plan.

Spencer watched the captain walk away.

He stood up straight after taking off his periphery equipment, letting the sun warm his chilled skin as he drank a bottle of water that Pietro handed him. Keeping himself hydrated was a must.

He took a huge swig, then paused.

Does Tabitha have any fresh water available to her?

It would suck if she couldn’t get to where she stored her supplies and she became dehydrated. Water—fresh water—was another key puzzle piece in combatting decompression sickness.

He’d have to watch her for that.

Pietro got up in Spencer’s face and waggled his brows. “So. You and the pretty lady, huh?”

Spencer was dragged from his worries by his friend’s nudge, which was accompanied by a lewd gesture he made with his fingers.

“Hey. Don’t be a dog, Pietro,” Spencer gruffed, scowling at the man while at the same time appreciating his attempt to lighten Spencer’s mood. “It’s not like that. I… I’m…interested in her.”

Pietro’s eyes went wide. “No. Seriously? As in…amore a prima vista?”

Love at first sight.Spencer translated, then gulped.

Was that even real, and… Could it be true?

Spencer’s brain dissected things.

What hedidunderstand was that right from the get-go, he hadn’t been interested in simply getting his rocks off with Tabitha. Not that he’d take that off the table, because the lady was a smoke show. But he’d just as equally found her fascinating. He wanted to be around her. Talk to her. Find out what made her tick.

So…

“I’m not sure,” he told Pietro honestly. “She’s certainly…someone special, and I want a chance to figure out exactlyhowspecial.” He glowered at his friend. “Just don’t talk shit about her anymore. Okay?”

“Ve bene. Okay,” Pietro clarified, with one hand held over his heart. “From now on I’ll view her as a dea intoccabile.”

“A what?” Spencer was confused. He’d been learning basic Italian from his shipmate, but this was beyond his meager skillset.

“An untouchable goddess, my friend.” Pietro kissed his fingers in appreciation.

Spencer laughed.

“You’re an asshole, you know that?” Spencer snorted.

“Ah, but uno adorabile.”

Spencer cuffed the guy playfully on the back of the head. “Yeah. Fucking adorable. Now help me get my gear ready for the next dive.”

Twenty minuteslater they finished amassing what Spencer needed, which included one extra tank should he need it. He was enjoying the slight sea breeze, thinking that with his remaining twenty minutes he might?—

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