He winks. “Yep, I thought you’d like it, and if you’re open to sharing the experience, I’d like to escort you.”
“That sounds wonderful, Brax!”
I turn sideways to hide the blush in my cheeks and reach for a cube of cheddar. The thought of seeing the famous dive site has me so excited… seeing it with him makes me want to jump out of my skin.
“Can you believe I’ve been living here for six years, and I’ve never seen it myself?” He shakes his head playfully and smiles when he sees the surprise on my face. “It’s time.”
Neither of us has addressed the reason we agreed to meet yet. “I suppose we should talk about work,” I offer. Is it appropriate to steer the conversation back to work, or has that ship already sailed?
“We can talk about anything you like, but first, tell me a bit about you and why you’re here alone,” he says. “And why do you want to see the statue?”
The question cuts straight through me, but how do I explain? While I finish my drink and place it on the table, I ponder my response. The accident is part of my life I hoped to hide, and yet I feel safe sharing it with him.
Brax shared intimate details about his life with me, and I have the feeling it wasn’t easy for him. When he meets my eyes, the softness I see reflected helps me find the courage I need to share my story.
Even if nothing happens between us, we may end up working together. It’s better if he hears it straight from me.
“I’ve always loved water, and when I was young, I’d imagine myself swimming somewhere deep in the ocean, like a mermaid.”
I pause, gazing into the distance. He tops up my glass, not saying anything, clearly sensing the shift in my mood. We eat and drink some more, and little by little, I open up to him. There’s no easy way to share what happened next in my life, so I may as well spit it out.
I tell him about the car accident and how I was paralyzed for a year. As my parents used their savings to pay for treatment, the situation at home was tense. Maddie stepped in both emotionally and financially to help.
When we learned that I needed specialized surgery, the type we couldn’t afford, we prayed for a miracle. We'd reached a dead end, and I was struggling to accept my fate.
During that time, I fantasized about being a mermaid, wanting the freedom it promised. Even though it was silly, the thought helped me survive many dark, lonely days and nights.
He’s shocked at first, and when I describe the role Reid played in my life, he’s in awe. I describe how Reid and my sister fell in love, and how he paid for the surgery that helped me walk again.
“Without Reid’s help, I’d still be in a wheelchair. Which would have been fine…” My voice trails off to a whisper. “I worked hard to regain my strength and health and vowed to never take it for granted again. So I push my body to the limit to see what I can achieve. Hence the running. I understand now how good it can feel regardless of your shape.”
Brax leans close and tips my chin up with his finger. His eyes glisten with unshed tears, and he holds my gaze. “If none of those things had happened, you wouldn’t be here now. With me.”
“I’m sorry I upset you. You have enough to deal with in your own life.”
“You didn’t upset me,” he assures me. “I am sorry for everything you suffered, but I’m proud of you for where you are today. Believe it or not, I understand why you love mermaids.”
“You do? I wanted to be a mermaid ever since I was a little girl, but as far as I know, there are no jobs available. Trust me, I even checked on seek.com.”
Brax tips back his head, roaring with laughter. Good. The joke worked. It lightened the mood.
“I miss ice skating. I miss the strength, power and grace that comes from being an athlete. I miss the sensation of flying.” He looks at me thoughtfully. There’s no bravado in his eyes, only humility.
“I’m ashamed of myself, Sara. Annie gave me and Chase a place to live away from the limelight, but I ran away from life and everything I loved. I’ve spent the last few years hiding behind my aunt’s skirts.”
Brax cups my chin and gazes deep into my eyes. “Except I didn’t realize how much I was missing out on, until I met you.”