Page 7 of Hot Life

“As long as they don’t acquire a tank of hammerhead sharks, I think we’ll live.”

He was referring to when he’d saved me from falling into a tank two years ago. He’d never told Cedric, thank god, but he didn’t pass up a chance to tease me about it in private.

“Yeah, well, you’ve got more bite than any ocean predator.”

He gave my neck a soft nip that sent tingles down my spine. “Damn right, Queen.”

We walked in silent leisure, only separating to peer into bright waters and watch various underwater life swim idly by. When we made it to the beluga whales, I gasped. They’d been off limits the duration of my internship here, undergoing medical treatments. And having learned my lesson about sneaking into restricted areas, I resisted the urge to find them. But suddenly they were before me, swimming as gracefully as mermaids in the floor to ceiling exposed tank.

“Wow,” Des breathed beside me. “They’re magnificent. I’d love to photograph them.”

I wandered closer and noticed a sign in front of the tank.

Pardon the beluga whales’ absence recently. Tilly, our female, is expecting!

Looking up with wide-eyed wonder, Tilly appeared before me like magic. So close, she waded vertically, revolving her moonlight-white fins. Her deep, soulful eyes peered directly into my soul. She was pregnant. I swallowed back emotion.

“She likes you,” Des remarked with a grin. “Did you read the sign? She’s pregnant too How about that?”

And then I broke.

Tears poured down my cheeks, and I struggled to catch my breath. Desmond had me in his arms in an instant. I gripped his shirt and buried my face in his chest as emotion racked through me. My loving and confused husband ran his fingers through my hair. “I’m here, baby. It’s alright. I got you.”

Tilly swam beautifully, peaceful and contented. Growing her calf as she danced and twirled like the ballerina of the sea. So sure, so radiant, she just existed in tenderness and faith. I envied her in that moment. I was envious of a whale.

When I pulled back, Des wiped tears from my red cheeks. “How embarrassing.” I sniffled, not daring to look around to see if anyone else had walked into the area and witnessed my breakdown.

“It’s just us,” my husband assured me, reading my mind. “Anything you want to talk about?”

I finger-brushed my curly red hair to detach my cheeks from my salt tears. “No, I’m sorry. Tilly, the beluga, she’s just going to be such a good mom,” I replied, still choking back emotion. It wasn’t a lie. Tilly would be an amazing mother. Beluga whales took exceptional care of their young. And that was it. Another sign of my ineptness. Whales could experience the miracle of life with ease. Why couldn’t I?

Des smiled softly. “So are you, Queen. You know that, right?”

I snorted, tugging at his hand. “Can we go, please? I’m tired and my parents are coming over later.”

After eyeing me for a moment, he jerked a nod.

As we wandered through the maze of fish tanks toward the front, a child jumped into our path. His big brown gaze fixated on Desmond’s silver titanium prosthetic. Des typically wore jeans, but the heat had forced him into basketball shorts. Not that I minded one bit. He was sexy. The boy pointed and asked, “Are you a robot?”

I winced and my heart sank. I knew my husband was accustomed to the stares and questions by now, but I wasn’t sure I’d ever get used to it. I wished he could exist in public spaces without being treated like a new attraction in the aquarium. But he always handled it with unwavering grace and confidence. However, no one had asked if he was a robot until now.

Des dropped to a kneel in front of the kid, keeping his prosthetic front and in sight. Allowing the boy to inspect freely. “I’m not a robot but my leg is pretty cool, huh? What’s your name?”

“I’m Miles,” he replied absently. “Did you get hurt?”

My chest tightened, and I looked around for his parent before spotting a mother looking frantically until she met my gaze. I offered her a small smile as she made her way over, taking Miles’s hand. “I’m so sorry, sir,” she said. “I hope he didn’t offend.”

Des only smiled. “Not at all. Miles was just asking questions. And to answer your question, buddy, I did get hurt. But doctors gave me this and it helps a lot.”

Miles nodded. “I fell off the trampoline once. It hurt. I’m sorry you got hurt too.”

“No worries, buddy.”

With that and pained smiles from the boy’s mother, they took off. Des and I walked silently to the car. Once we were driving, I asked, “Does it ever bother you…being different?”

It was a loaded question, and it squeezed my throat the instant it left my lips.

He considered for a moment, casually turning the steering wheel of his truck. “No, it doesn’t bother me. I’m happy to be here.”

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