Page 43 of Totally Wrecked
That’s the only plan we have. All of us are spent, and before the sun has even fully set, we all crash out.
DAISY
Iwake up, heart racing.
It’s still nighttime, and someone is screaming. I look over to the little girl beside me. “Ssh, Keyara, it’s alright, I got you,” I say, my heart thumping.
As I tighten my arms around her, I feel Leander’s warm arms reach over me to place a hand on the little girl’s trembling shoulders. “Hey Key, don’t panic. Are you dreaming about being out at sea?” he asks her. “I was just dreaming about having a conversation with a cute little stingray, the whole thing was veryFinding Nemo.”
Her sobs lessen, and she shakes her head. “It wasn’t a fun dream,” she whispers and presses her head into my shirt.
“Why don’t you tell me about it,” I suggest. “If you tell your bad dreams then they will never come true.”
“Is that true?” she sniffs.
“Sure it’s true,” says Leander.
“I dreamt that you all disappeared. I was going to be all alone here forever.”
I hug her tightly. “Oh sweetpea, we are right here. We are in this together, and together we will be OK. Leander and I are going to look after you until we get you back to your mom and dad. Promise.”
Leander passes her a coconut shell and she sips at the water.
“Go back to sleep, Key,” he says, leaning over and stroking her.
She snuggles back into my arms, and Leander returns his spooning of my back. Keyara shifts out of my arms and rolls over. Her steady breathing lets me know she is asleep again.
“Thank you,” says Leander. I feel him kiss my hair and I turn my head towards him. His face is luminous under the glow of the moon.
We stare at each other, just inches apart. We might die on this island—in fact, it is extremely possible that we only have days left to live. So I am questioning my sanity, because all I can think about right now is Leander kissing me.
I can rationalize it, because maybe it’s natural to want every ounce of pleasure possible in the face of death. And if there is a time to throw caution to the wind, this is it.
But still, Daisy…get a grip!
Leander leans forward and presses a soft kiss on my forehead.
“You have no idea how much I want to kiss you right now,” he whispers.
Oh don’t I?
In an unspoken accord we pull apart, aware of the little girl sleeping only inches away. We don’t discuss kissing again, we just lie together in the warm night, my head resting on Leander’s arm. I feel at peace.
We snooze for a little while. I come to when Leander shifts his arm from beneath me.
“Daisy,” he whispers, then presses his forehead against mine, “my Daisy.”
My mind flashes to Killian. My Killian.
Leander is convinced that all the guys will be in the life raft, awaiting rescue. I pray that’s true. If there had been another woman onboard, and she was with them in the raft, would I be upset if Killian found comfort in her arms?
No. No I wouldn’t. In fact, I think it’s a shame there is no one to kiss him and hold him. I can’t exactly see Harvey giving him snuggles.
Poor Killian.
Leander tightens his arms around me, and I mentally send an embrace to Killian. I hold him in my mind, as Leander and I hold each other.
And at some point, I fall asleep again.
