Page 25 of The Tides Between Us

Her apartment was right along the beach, so we took the main road that led into a busier part of town. It was technically off-season in Orchid City, since most tourists flocked here when it was colder in other parts of the country. This past week, however, had left streets relatively crowded and most of the locals were dining at the restaurants.

Regardless of whether there were tourists or not, the weekends were always busy around here. I wasn’t sure what type of food Giana liked, so I picked Huxley’s Grill. They were known for their fresh fish and according to Google, they also had a wide range of food that catered to people who didn’t enjoy seafood. I wasn’t sure if Giana liked seafood or not, especially with her views on the ocean and what humans were doing to it.

It was hard to find a restaurant along the coast that didn’t serve seafood.

Their parking lot was full and I circled around before pulling back out onto the street. There was an open spot about a block away. After putting the car in park and killing the engine, I quickly hopped out. Giana was just about to open her door when I reached it. She shook her head with a playful look in her eye. I held my hand out to her to help her out, and there was no hesitation as she slid her warm palm against mine.

I helped her onto the ground, but after she was steady on her feet, I made no move to release her hand. My fingers slid between hers and she curled her fingers around my hand. My heart pounded against my rib cage and a ball of fire built in the pit of my stomach. I wasn’t sure if she would pull away, but instead she settled into the comfort between us.

Hand in hand, we fell in step beside one another as we walked down the busy street to Huxley’s. I called earlier to make a reservation as soon as Giana agreed to go on a date with me. We were lucky to be able to get in tonight as I managed to grab the last reservation they had available. Giana stayed beside me with her hand in mine as I led her through the restaurant to our table.

It was tucked away on their back deck, in the corner that provided a little bit of privacy and a more intimate feel. The sun was beginning to set to the west and they had strings of lights hanging from above. A small candle was burning on our table and I pulled out Giana’s seat for her before she sat down.

The host left menus on the table with promises that our server would be by soon. I thanked him, pushed Giana’s seat in, and then took the one directly across from her. Her bright blue eyes were on mine and she adjusted herself in her seat momentarily as she lifted up the menu. I studied her for a moment, my breath caught in my throat as I watched the way her eyes scanned the page in front of her.

It almost felt surreal, sitting here across from her in this moment. She was slowly working her way under my skin. She was already cemented inside my mind, and being around her was the only way to satisfy the craving my soul had for her. It was a strange phenomenon. I had never felt so connected to someone on a spiritual level. I wasn’t quite sure how to explain it, but I could feel it deep within the fibers of my soul, and that was the only thing that mattered.

When our server arrived, I was about to order for Giana, but she shook her head at me. Her jaw was set and a storm was brewing in her eyes. She lifted her chin, her eyes meeting the girl standing by our table. She pointed to a cocktail she wanted on the menu along with the food she had chosen. I ordered mine after Giana and our server disappeared from the table.

Giana’s stormy eyes were instantly on mine. She pulled out her phone and began to type away on it. I was momentarily thankful because even though I had learned some sign language, there was still a lot I didn't know. And judging by the look of irritation on Giana’s face, she was going to have a lot to say.

Giana

I appreciate you trying to be helpful, but I don’t need you to speak for me. I have my own ways of communicating with people who don’t know ASL. And I was honestly doing quite fine with it before you arrived.

Damn. She stared at me with such intensity that her words hit my chest with force. Instantly, there was regret on my part. I wasn’t trying to overstep in any way, but it seemed like it made things easier for her the last time we went out.

“I’m sorry,” I told her, my voice quiet as I ignored the noise of the restaurant around us. “I just assumed it would be easier if I told her what you wanted. That way you didn’t have to deal with it yourself.”

She lifted the phone, her fingers moving with lightning speed across the screen before she showed it to me again. There was a flash of anger, hurt and sadness, all mixing together within her irises.

Giana

You assumed. You didn’t even bother to ask me. You just decided to take it upon yourself to speak for me.

I swallowed roughly over the lump that lodged itself within my throat. I had clearly offended her, which was not my intention at all. I wasn’t quite sure how to proceed. I tilted my head to the side as I watched her expression settle and soften. She pulled the phone back to herself.

“You’re right,” I admitted as a breath of defeat escaped me. “I shouldn’t have assumed and I didn’t mean to offend you. It was insensitive of me, and the last thing I want to do is make you feel uncomfortable. From here on out, I will follow your lead, Giana.”

She shook her head. Her shoulders hung low in something that resembled guilt.

Giana

I don’t need you to follow my lead. I just need you to ask next time. I spent many years having other people speak for me and if I can help it, I don’t let it happen anymore. I prefer my independence and my own voice, even if it is a little different than how others communicate.

I reread her words three times for good measure, letting them seep in as I stared at the screen. I can’t imagine what life must have been like for her. To live in her shoes, to experience the tragedy of losing your sense of hearing. To then learn a different way of communicating that most people don't understand, only to have others try to speak for you like you lost your own voice.

“I promise I will never take your voice from you, princess,” I told her as the honesty tangled itself within my words. She couldn’t hear my words, but I hoped she could still feel the intensity and the way I fucking meant them. My expression was soft, my eyes desperately searching hers. “Your voice will always be yours and if you ever need me to help you with something, I will let you tell me.”

A ragged breath escaped her and the smallest smile danced across her lips. She nodded, lifting her fingertips to her chin before pulling them away.“Thank you.”

I smiled back at her, just as our drinks were brought over to the table. There wasn’t a part of me that was offended or bothered by her speaking her mind. It was exactly what I wanted from her. I wanted her to call me out on my shit, to put me in my place if she felt like I needed it. I wanted the soft and gentle side of Giana Cirone, along with the treacherous storms inside her that sent the waves crashing violently against the shore.

There was a side to her that stood tall and refused to let anyone knock her down.

I wanted every side of her.

The tension in the air between us began to dissipate and Giana changed the subject as she began to ask about my shoulder and surfing. I told her I wanted her to sign everything to me. I wanted to learn every fucking thing I could. A playfulness danced in her eyes and she agreed happily. Her shoulders shook with silent laughter as I struggled along with the conversation and she tried explaining different signs to me.

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