Page 106 of Gravity

The room is dark and lanterns with soft lighting are dotted around the floor giving it a romantic feel, while fish in all shapes and sizes along with turtles swim around on the opposite side of the large glass wall.

As I take it all in, I register the fact that it’s after closing and that the Aquarium isn’t even open to the public.

“Grayson…”

He comes to stand in front of me, taking my hands in his.

“How…”

“It’s just the two of us, baby. For as long as we want tonight, we can stay here, lay back and watch the sea life glide by with no interruptions.”

I’m speechless, the lump in the back of my throat burning. My eyes give the place a once over just to make sure it isn’t a dream before I look back at him. “Just us?”

“Just me and my Shortcake.”

“But how… How did you even pull this off?”

“Because I could and because I love you.” He takes my face in his hands. “I told you, you deserve the world, Nora, and I meant it. You’ve been so lost at times since your dad, and that’s completely understandable, but I wanted to do something that would just make you breathe. Make you forget all the pain your beautiful heart is fighting against for a while. And what better way to do that than to bring you to the place you love the most. Under the sea.”

Just when I don’t think I can love him any harder, he proves me wrong, be it with a touch, a gesture, or just a look of security. How can one man have the power to make me feel like I’m worth everything and more in the simplest of ways?

Reaching up on my tiptoes, I place my hand on his jaw. “Grayson Bennett, have I ever told you just how much I love you?”

“You don’t need to. I can feel it.” He presses his lips to mine, pulling me closer so we are body to body. “You are everything to me, Nora. My best friend. My soulmate. The love of my life. I want to grow old with you.”

“You’re already old,” I whisper, grinning.

He chuckles. “My girl is getting her sass back. I love that.”

“I love you.”

He kisses me again with a passion that makes my knees buckle. I wrap my arms around his waist and hold on to him like I never want to let go.

“Come on,” he steps back. “We have food, drink, and soon enough, I want to dance under the sea with you.”

I raise a brow. “You? Dance? You are so bad at that.”

“Then we will sway.”

He goes over to a picnic blanket on the floor that I hadn’t noticed and takes out two glasses and a bottle of champagne. Wanting to be closer, I walk over to the turtles and place my hand on the cool glass. The urge to get in there with them is immense. I’ve not been diving since I’ve been home, and for the first time, it makes me realize how much I love everything about oceanology and how I’ve missed it.

“God, I miss ocean life. With everything that’s happened since I’ve been home, my love for it seems to have been put on the back burner. I need to get that back.”

“Are you thinking of going back to college sooner than you planned?” He asks surprisingly.

I shrug, not having thought that far ahead. “Maybe. If I can.”

He comes over and hands me a glass of champagne.

“I took the year out to be with Pop because I missed him so much when he first had his stroke. Studies kicked my ass while I was on campus, and I just wanted to be around him more. Taking the year out once I got my degree somehow seemed right. I’d get that time back with Dad that I missed out on and help him get stronger in the meantime. It just all ended a lot faster than we all intended.”

I swallow the sadness that has gripped my chest, not wanting to go to that dark part of my life tonight. Dad always told me to follow my dreams, and I have done that, but as much as I want to head back to college and continue with my studies to further my career in oceanology, the thought of leaving Mom tugs at my heart. And then there is Grayson. Although Wesleyan College is only a short drive away, I can’t bear the thought of not being close to him when I need it.

“Well, whatever you decide, you know he’ll be up there watching and being proud of you, Nora. As will I.”

“I know.” I smile. “I will miss you if I go back. I know that campus isn’t that far but the thought of not waking beside you...”

He tucks my hair behind my ear, his voice low. “No one says you have to go back. You only went there to escape your brother. Why not go back and study but stay at home? That way you can be with me and your mom. I know you’re worried about her.”