Page 50 of The Art of Loving Lacy
“Dane, you’ve been watching me like a hawk. You’ll know,” she said with a smile.
He nodded. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay. I appreciate it.”
“Okay.” He took a deep breath, as if he were the one who was afraid of sharks. “You okay?”
“Yeah, I’m good,” she lied.
He must have heard the hitch in her voice, because he squeezed her hand. She was thankful for the strength of his grip and the surety of him.
“You can hold my hand, but remember, no falling in love,” he teased.
She nodded, unable to pry her voice from her lungs.I’m fine. I’m fine. I’m fine.
They walked past the last two models without stopping and followed the signs to the shark exhibit. Beneath the arched entrance, Lacy came to an abrupt stop. Before them was a wall of glass, behind which were three sharks passing in quick succession. Lacy held her breath and looked around. The tank wrapped around the room, and the sharks followed a pattern around the room and then back again.
“They can’t touch you, Lace,” Dane assured her. “I’m right here, and I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”
Lacy’s eyes were locked on the sharks as they swam a streamlined path around the tank.
“Lace?”
“Yeah?” I can’t do this. “I think I’d do better if they weren’t so big.”
“Let’s go, Lace. No need to push it,” he said.
Face your fears.Lacy closed her eyes and said, “Ask me questions.”
“What?”
She looked up at him, trying not to allow her urge to bolt to take over. “I can’t walk in there, but ask me questions about them. If I’m concentrating on facts, it’ll help.” She held his arm with her other hand. “They can’t touch me. I know that. But my heart is thundering, and I feel like I want to run away. Danica said to face my fears, and I’m trying my best. Please ask me questions.”
“What kind of sharks are they?” Dane asked. His eyes never left her face.
He stepped closer, and Lacy leaned against his side to settle her shaking body.Ohgoshohgoshohgosh.“Um…” She squinted, concentrating on defining the species. She looked at their shapes, their noses, the breadth of their bodies, their tails. “Is that a sand tiger shark?” She couldn’t release his arm to point to the shark as it glided past. She heard the trembling in her voice.I’m fine. I’m fine. I’m fine.“Right there, that one.”
“That’s my girl. Yes, a sand tiger shark,” Dane said.
My girl.Lacy tried to concentrate on what he’d said instead of the anxiety that prickled her nerves. She narrowed her eyes and scrutinized the sharks.
“That one there, I know what that is.” Lacy looked at Dane, then back at the tank. “That’s a…Oh my goodness, I know this. Oh, oh, a nurse shark, and probably a female, based on the size.”
“You’re right on target, Lacy,” Dane said.
When she looked up, she was met by his proud smile. She couldn’t force a smile to her own lips, but she felt a swell of pride for not running away—or passing out.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“I think so. If I’m distracted, it’s much easier,” she said.
“I’ll try to remember that,” Dane said.
She didn’t miss the flirty note to his words.
“I think that’s enough torture for today.” It was a statement, not a request.
Dane guided Lacy down the hall. The minute they passed the large models, she felt the tension in her limbs ease.
