Page 83 of Make Out With A Merman

Finally, I don’t feel like I’m drowning.

The others are on the dock when we swim back.

Torack’s eyes are wide. Julie’s got a hand over her mouth. Hazel’s holding up a glowing charm like she’s directing airport traffic.

But all I see is Callie.

Still in my arms. Still breathing.

Stillmine.

We climb up onto the dock soaked, scraped, shaking but whole.

Torack crouches beside me, eyes flicking over my chest. “You did it.”

I shake my head slowly.

“No,” I say. “Wedid.”

His brow furrows.

I look over at her.

At Callie.

The girl who glitter-bombed her way into my guarded heart and refused to let me fall without her.

“The rupture didn’t close because I was strong enough,” I say.

Callie’s eyes meet mine, surprised.

“It closed because of the tether. Because she found me. Held me.Choseme.”

Torack exhales.

Julie smiles, small and full of something that might be awe.

And me?

I take Callie’s hand.

Press it to my heart.

And finally let myself believe.

I’m alive.

Because she didn’t let go.

That night, after the dock’s quiet and the kids are asleep, we lay together in the field just behind the cabins.

The grass is damp, the stars are fierce, and for once, the lake doesn’t feel like it’s watching.

I’ve got her in my arms.

No pressure. No storm.

Just Callie.

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