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Title TBD [Note to Self: Wish I could magic a title!]
Draft Entry #5: Believe in Magic
The Nylon Pool is a sandbank in the sea. Nature lovers are drawn to its beauty, the white coral sand and schools of tropical fish. Dreamers come seeking its magical powers. They say swimming in the pool reverses the effects of ageing by ten years. Others swear that couples who kiss under its waters will be blessed with a lifetime of happiness. I believe in magic, but none of this stuff applies to me. I don’t want to look like my thirteen-year-old self ever again, so I’ll gladly pass on the anti-ageing stuff for now. I’d sign up for a guaranteed lifetime of happiness, but it’s only granted to couples.
Chapter Twelve
Early Tuesday morning, they boarded the boat at Pigeon Point. The sea was choppy, the wooden boat rocked. While her friends admired the fresh day and clear turquoise waters, Samantha had her head between her knees, overcome with queasiness. She didn’t complain. The destination was worth a little nausea.
As a local, Roman had negotiated a fair price to reserve the boat for the morning. After a moment chatting with the captain, he crossed the deck with his sure stride, making his way toward her, cotton shirt flapping in the wind, Wayfarer sunglasses catching a glint of sun, brown skin gleaming like bronze. He was as fresh as the day itself, yet the corners of his mouth tilted down with concern. ‘Naomi sends crackers.’
He handed her a sleeve of their favourite water biscuits. How did she get her hands on this stuff?
‘Thanks.’
‘She’s seasick, too.’
‘Is she?’ Samantha looked past him. Naomi was locked in Anthony’s arms and looked great.
He hunched low and cupped her face in his hands. ‘Now what can I do to make it better?’
This time when her stomach bottomed it had nothing to do with the motion of the sea. Samantha was used to his laidback demeanour. Who knew he could be this tender and attentive? By the looks of it, her friends were just as intrigued. Naomi watched from the cocoon of her fiancé’s arms. Hugo caught her eye and winked. Jen gave her two enthusiastic thumbs up. Jasmine gave her a break, only because the bank of coral reef visible through the glass-bottom boat had her transfixed.
‘I heard there was a wild party last night,’ Roman said.
‘It was pretty wild,’ she admitted. ‘I would’ve called you but I don’t have your number.’
He traced a finger along her hairline, catching the stray curls and moving them out of her eyes. ‘Are you trying to get my number?’
Samantha’s face warmed. ‘No, I—’
‘All you have to do is ask,’ he said.
‘That wasn’t what I—’
‘You don’t strike me as someone who has trouble asking for what she wants. Am I wrong about that?’
He was toying with her again. ‘You could have asked for mine.’
‘Give me your phone.’
Samantha took this as a dare. She slipped her phone out of the back pocket of her denim shorts, opened a new contact page, and handed it to him. He gave her a smile before he took it from her, typed in his contact information and, as an added bonus, told her which apps he used for international calls and texts. Samantha watched his fingers move over the screen. This might be a small step for some. For her, it was a giant leap. If he was in her contacts, he was in her life.
‘So,’ he returned the phone, ‘do you think we could go for a late-night swim sometime?’
She clutched the phone in her hand. ‘Let’s stick to daylight.’
Jason made his way toward them and sat down on the bench next to her. He was slathered in sunscreen. His curly brown hair was still wet and glistening from a morning swim. ‘Sammy, it’s been a while since we chatted.’
‘How goes it, Jason?’
‘Great. Exceptional. Perfect. And you?’
Her gut twisted with nausea. She took a deep breath. ‘Perfect. Never better.’
‘Good, good.’ He scratched his head. ‘Thought I might run something by you.’
