Page 62 of The Love In Sunsets

“Yeah, same.”

Eloise tilted her head back and closed her eyes. “You don’t get seasick, do you?”

“Not that I know of,” he said, laughing. “I guess we’re going to find out.”

Eloise nestled into Kiel’s side and relaxed. Between the motion of the boat and the sun beating down on her, she grew drowsy, and she fought to stay awake. When Dune’s voice came over the intercom, she righted and began looking around.

Everyone on the boat stood, doing exactly what Dune advised against. He barked out, telling people to move slowly. The boat slowed down and everyone waited. A palpable sense of excitement washed over her as the crisp ocean breeze tousled her hair. The boat rocked gently, moving with the waves.

Eloise's eyes scanned the horizon in anticipation, searching for the telltale signs whales were nearby. “Look there,” she pointed to a lull in the water.

The sound of distant spouts rang out, a thrilling chorus that drew her attention. Eloise's heart quickened as she followed the sound, her eyes locking onto the towering plumes of mist erupting from the surface.

The excitement on the vessel increased, as did their voices. People told others to quiet down, as if they thought whales could hear the humans. Maybe they could. The deck buzzed with activity as everyone readied their cameras and binoculars, eager to capture the moment. Eloise watched in awe as a massive humpback breached the water's surface, its colossal body glistening with droplets, as if performing a grand salute to their presence. It was a breathtaking sight.

“Holy shit,” Kiel said as he held his phone.

The whale breached again, and this time it brought two other friends and everyone on board grew silent. Did they really just witness a triple breach?

“Did you see? Did you capture that?” she asked Kiel who nodded.

“That was spectacular.”

Dune came to them. “Did you see the triple?” he asked enthusiastically.

“We did. Kiel caught it on video.”

“Nice. Send it to our email. We’ll give you full credit online,” Dune told him.

They were able to travel with the whales for a bit longer until they disappeared. On the ride back, Eloise again found herself snuggled against Kiel.

After they docked, they stopped for an early dinner at Diego’s. Thankfully, none of her friends were there and they were able to enjoy a nice meal without having to dodge daggers from Fraser.

On the walk home, they stopped at the beach and walked barefoot in the surf. Eloise showed Kiel what seaglass was, and then they spent the next hour or so looking for more. When he found his first piece, he held it up proudly and snapped a picture.

Her mood was subdued by the time they made it back to her place. She needed to talk to him about the next few days but wasn’t sure how to broach the subject. It wasn’t that she didn’t think he’d understand, it was more like she couldn’t give him a solid timeline on when she’d be done.

They watched TV for a little bit and then went through the motions of changing their clothes and brushing their teeth. Eloise stood there, wondering how this had become a thing—how one night turned into all of them and how she let her job slip her mind. This was why she didn’t date, or if she did, she didn’t stay involved past a few dates. Being sidetracked didn’t work in her favor.

Kiel held the covers back while she crawled in. He scooted in next to her and she easily became the little spoon. His fingers drew circles on her arms while she stared at the wall.

“I know something’s bothering you.”

A tear fell from her cheek. She wiped it before it hit his arm. “I need to work,” she told him.

“Okay.”

When another tear fell, she didn’t bother catching it. “You don’t understand. Having to work means I can’t see you for a bit,” she told him. When the words registered, his face fell. “I need to focus. To put all my energy, time, and well everything into my work. I’ve let us . . .” she motioned between them, “derail my plans. The showcase is important, and I promised my aunt I’d help out at the gallery. I’ve skirted my duties. I’m afraid if I can’t show her I’m responsible, she won’t even consider one of my paintings.” Tears streamed down Eloise’s face. She hated them and herself, mostly for getting involved with someone and falling for him.

Kiel sat up and angled himself over her. “Hey, look at me.”

Eloise turned slightly and then closed her eyes when their gazes met. He trailed his fingers down her cheek, wiping at her tears. “I don’t expect you not to work or paint. All you have to do is tell me you’re busy. I can chill with my family.”

“But I like being with you,” she told him. “I’m so torn up right now. Part of me wants to say fuck it and just be a beach bum and do everything we can together, but the other part is screaming at me to paint, to be creative, and I have to let that side of me win out.”

Kiel nodded and laid back down next to her. “So, tomorrow I’ll go home and then what, come by the next day?”

She stared at the ceiling. Saying, “don’t call me, I’ll call you,” wasn’t something she wanted Kiel to hear from her, but the words were there. So was her silence.

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