Page 54 of The Tides Between Us

Giana

I didn’t do any of it. You can thank Crew, our veterinarian, for his amazing surgical skills.

There was a twinge of jealousy that bubbled beneath the surface. It was a foreign feeling, but when it came to Giana, she had awoken a lot of feelings I never experienced before. I knew Crew was just a coworker. He was no threat at all. Yet I couldn’t help but feel jealous at the fact that he got to see her almost daily. He got to see her when I couldn’t.

I refrained from typing out my feelings to her. There was no need and no place for them here. It was something I needed to just swallow down and push to the back of my mind. Giana was mine and no one else’s.

Declan

I don’t want to talk about Crew and his skills.

Giana texted me back immediately and I could imagine the scowl on her face.

Giana

You have nothing to worry about with Crew… or anyone for that matter.

Declan

I’m well aware of that, princess. I know you’re mine. I just miss you and it’s starting to get to me.

I lifted my gaze back out to the ocean, knowing if she were sitting on the beach at this exact moment, she’d be staring at a completely different ocean. My mind was a complete mess. She had inched her way into my heart and infiltrated every fiber of my soul. I couldn’t think straight, couldn’t see straight.

All I could see was her.

Giana

I know. This whole thing sucks and I just want to see you.

I wouldn’t be able to fly into Florida for at least a month, unless it was literally for a night or two during the week. I contemplated it, I just wasn’t sure I could even get away for that long—not with all of the different events I’d been having to attend. Next week, I’d be leaving to go on a tour with different competitions at various beaches around the world. I wasn’t sure how I could make it work.

Declan

Come see me.

Giana

You want me to fly out to California?

It made total sense. Even if she only came for the weekend, we would still be able to have time together before I had to go on tour. I had a surfing contest this Friday, but it was local. It wouldn’t take up much of my time since I only had to surf one day.

Declan

With my schedule, I don’t know when I’ll be able to fly to you. I’m literally fucking dying here, Giana. Please come stay with me, even if it’s only for a night or two.

The three bubbles popped up and disappeared. My stomach sank. I was a fool to assume she would drop what she had going on just to come see me. I was the one who moved back here, after all. She may have told me her thoughts and insisted I didn’t give it up for her, but I ultimately made the choice. I could have canceled my flight that day and I didn't.

My phone vibrated in my hand again. My heart pounded in my chest as I unlocked the screen and read Giana’s message.

Giana

Of course I’ll come. Tell me when and I’ll be there.

I smiled. My girl was coming to see me.

For the first time in what felt like forever, my soul felt like it was at peace.

CHAPTERTWENTY-NINE

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