Page 75 of Deep Waters
A grin split her face. “You could, but you’re stuck with us now.”
She wrapped her arms around my shoulders in a second hug. I let myself sink into her soft embrace. Behind her, I caught a glimpse of Lucy mock-wiping a tear from her eye and mouthing,finally. Anya winked at me. I hadn’t just been forgiven. I’d been claimed.
Vi pulled back and looked me over. “Tell Zach that if he screws this up, he’s got four angry women coming for him. Gran will even bring Thumper.” She cocked her head. “Does Thumper count as five? I feel like her shotgun is definitely female. One in the throes of perimenopause. Thumper is forty-five if she’s a day.”
I laughed, a full-body laugh that cracked something open in my chest, and followed Lucy outside. Zach was waiting on the edge of the porch. He tucked me beneath his arm, his dimple flashing down at me, and for the first time in a long while, I was exactly where I belonged.
Chapter 32 – Rae
We cast off after I finished work, slowly navigatingSailor Swiftinto open water before unfurling the sails. After two months living together in my boat’s tiny cabin, we were finally moving into a rental house large enough to feel like a palace by comparison.
Zach had suggested a sunset sail and anchoring near Brown Island for the night as our farewell to the live-aboard life. Gentle winds made our progress slow but steady as we cut across the ferry route and navigated between other boats anchored offshore. Zach seemed fidgety, clambering around to adjust lines that didn’t need adjusting.
The ferry chugged into view in the distance, the sun sinking behind the hills limning the boat in fading rays of golden brilliance. We set our anchor, working in tandem.
Zach slipped his arm around me, and we faced the sunset, letting the peace embrace us. The scent of brackish water filled my lungs. I let my exhale wash away the worries from the day. In the morning, we’d finish packing, and the gang would arrive to help us cart our boxes to our new place. But for tonight, Zach and I could simply enjoy the water.
Wind ruffled my hair, whipping long waves across my face. He turned me in his arms, tucking the rogue strand back into place.
My entire body melted into his embrace, my nervous system recognizing it for what it was: my safe place. A home I didn’t have to earn. For so long, I’d measured my worth based on what I could do for others, but Zach loved me simply because I was me, not for what I could give.
Pushing up on my tiptoes, I brushed my mouth across Zach’s, savoring the hint of coffee and books he always carried with him.
“Are you going to miss living on the boat?” he asked, his voice gruff.
“There are perks to living on land.” I added a coy smile.
His lips spread, his dimple flashing. “Yeah? What might some of those perks be?”
“Oh, you know. A full kitchen. Bathroom. Showers I don’t have to walk down the dock to,” I ticked off on my fingers.
He chuckled, the low sound scraping along my nerve endings, sending a delicious thrill through me. Something about that deep laugh hit me harder than a rough kiss, the low vibrations of sound stroking in a phantom caress that brought me up to my toes again, our mouths a hairsbreadth away.
“What about me?” he asked plaintively, the light of mischief in his eyes.
I bit my lip. His question was meant to tease, but something about the moment demanded raw honesty.
“You’re critical to happiness. Now that I’ve had you, Zach Fenwick, I don’t think I could ever give that up. It would destroy me.”
His gaze darkened, any hint of humor fleeing from his expression.
“I’m not going to get a better opening than that…” He held my gaze, filling his lungs. “Rae Dawkins. Light of my life. Captain, my captain. I love you more than words. Probably why I’m struggling to find the right romantic speech. I want to live with you and love you forever. Whether on land or sea, you’re it for me.”
He paused, lip quirking up in a hint of his usual charming grin. “Whether you’ve known it or not, you’ve been as essential as breathing to me for years. The one person I could count on to understand. To see beyond the face I show the rest of the world. I can’t imagine my life without you in it, beside me.”
He squeezed my fingers in his, letting his full smile bloom. “I could lose everything and still be happy so long as I have you.”
His serious expression reached into my chest and squeezed, holding my heart hostage as I waited for him to finish. Hesitating to guess what was next.
“I want to be your husband. Have a family together. Show the world what love and loyalty look like, not just in the first blush of attraction, but as we grow together. Rae, will you marry me?”
“Yes,” I blurted out, unable to wait any longer. My laughter choked off as my chest hitched in a small sob. “Another minute and I was going to ask you myself. I love you, Zach. I want to be your wife.”
“And I want to be your husband.” His eyes lit, drawing me in. Our kiss sent the last of my thoughts scattering as I savored the new certainty that filled me. His mouth coaxed mine into something deeper, and I let go, bold and desperate to show him how fiercely I loved him.
Our breath came in wrenching gasps when we finally drew apart.
“Hold that thought,” Zach said.
