Page 17 of The No Falling Rule
Chapter 6
Mia
Snorkeling? I haven’t swum in years.
When we went to Colombia for Rain and Xander’s wedding—our friends from Azalea Creek—all I did was lie under the sun. I think I only dipped my toes in the water once.
“Shit, I didn’t think about asking,” Diego murmurs as we drive around the resort. “Do you know how to swim?” His voice is timid, almost a whisper, like he’s afraid of embarrassing me with the question.
“Yeah, I know how to swim. I grew up spending my summers in the river near my family’s place.” A small smile creeps onto my lips as the memory floods in—one of those vivid ones that never really fades.
My parents worked long hours, tending to the animals, planting, harvesting—you name it. So I spent most of my free time with Carly.
We’d been at the river, like we always were during the hot summer months. After breakfast, we’d pack snacks, water, towels, and a book before hopping on our bikes to ride down to this little cove about a mile from home.
I remember that day—it was extremely hot. I didn’t want to sit still and listen to Carly read about Nancy Drew solving all these incredible mysteries—I just wanted to be in the water. But Carly loved her routines. She was determined to read the book first, then swim, then head home. Like always.
The moment she started reading, I stood up, took off my shorts, and crept toward the riverbank. Carly was so absorbed by the story she didn’t even notice me slip into the water—or maybe she did and didn’t want to argue.Either way, I waded in until I was floating, face toward the sunny sky.
That’s when something pulled my ankle.
The water swallowed my cry before I could even scream. I kicked and thrashed, but whatever had a hold of me was incredibly strong. Panic flooded my lungs as I sank deeper. I tried to fight, but I was out of breath and exhausted.
Suddenly, I got pulled up by a strong hand, my lungs burning as I blinked up at the cowboy who’d pulled me from the water.
“What were you doing, kid?” he scolded, shaking his head. “Don’t you see how dangerous the river can be?”
“I was playing in the water and something dragged me down,” I said defensively between ragged breaths.
“You mean this?” He held up a ratty piece of cord.
“But itpulledme down. I swear,” I insisted, tears stinging my eyes.
After wiping my face with the back of my hand, I pulled on my shorts and biked home. I was angry, embarrassed. Scared.
I clear my throat and bring myself back to the present.
“But I haven’t swum in a long time,” I say timidly instead, not wanting to share the real reason for my hesitation.
I’m nervous Diego will see me as clumsy, or childish—someone not worth his time.
It’s unbelievable how something that happened so long ago can still make me feel so small.
“We can do something else, if you’d like.” His tone is calm, steady.
“No, no. Let’s at least try snorkeling. If I’m a complete disaster, then we can think about a plan B,” I say, sounding way more confident than I feel.
He gives my thigh a quick squeeze, and a shot of desire shoots through my body.
“That’s my girl,” he says with a wink.
My core throbs at his words.Hisgirl? Good God, what I wouldn’t give to hear him say that while kissing me senseless.
When we arrive at the marina, Diego shuts off the golf cart and walks around to help me out. Our hands find each other instantly, like we’ve been doing this forever.
There’s a single catamaran docked, gently swaying in rhythm with the tide. My eyebrows shoot up when I spot about fifteen people already on board.All these people for one boat?
“Mr. Grosso, good morning,” says a tall man as soonas we step aboard.
