Page 79 of Before Dawn

A trainer appeared at the tank’s edge, carrying a bucket of fish. With practiced precision, he tossed the morsels into the water, instantly drawing the sharks’ attention.

“They’re so graceful,” she murmured. “It’s weird since sharks are violent.”

I glanced at her, a faint smile tugging at my lips. “It’s all about perspective. Even the most dangerous creatures have their own beauty.”

She turned her gaze to me, and for a second, I forgot where we were. There was something about the way she looked at me—curious, open, like she was trying to figure me out.

The trainer approached us with a friendly smile. “Would you like to feed the sharks?” he asked, gesturing toward the bucket.

“Really?” Her face lit up, excitement flickering across it like sunlight over water. “Yes, please!”

With gentle guidance, she tossed a piece of fish into the tank, and her laughter bubbled up when the sharks rushed forward to claim it. I captured the moment on my phone, like I did with every other moment where her smile burned itself into my memory, where her joy softened something in my chest.

I liked seeing her like this. Completely in the moment. Happy. Calm.

After leaving the shark exhibit, we entered the aquatheater, where a crowd had gathered to watch playful sea lions perform acrobatic tricks. We found seats near the front, and I couldn’t stop sneaking glances at her—the way her hands clutched the edge of her seat, how she leaned forward, completely absorbed.

“It’s like a dream come true,” she whispered, her voice soft with awe.

I grinned. “I can imagine,cariño.38”

A trainer approached us with a warm smile. “Would you like to learn some tricks to communicate with thesea lions?”

Her eyes widened, and she nodded eagerly. “Of course!”

I watched as she learned the hand signals, her movements careful and focused. There was something about her that got to me. Maybe it was how she threw herself into things, how she let herself feel without hesitation. I’d spent years around people who calculated their every move, but Abigail was just herself.

“Growing up, my parents always took my sister and me on adventures.” She paused, her smile soft. “As I got older, I promised myself I’d do things like this, but I never got the chance. Being here today reminded me to appreciate life even more.”

I nodded, warmth spreading through my chest. “Experience is everything. I’m all about adventure, and growing up in the Caribbean, there was no shortage of it.”

“I bet there was,” she said, smiling up at me.

As evening approached, we grabbed her flowers and headed toward the exit.

“Did you have fun?” I asked.

“The most fun!” she exclaimed. “Today was amazing. I love sea lions, and feeding the sharks was unforgettable.”

“And let’s not forget your grumpy crab friend.”

She burst into laughter as we reached my car. “I’d never forget him.”

I opened the car door for her, pausing for just a second as she slid in. It wasn’t just about the way she looked—it was the way she fit into this day, into this moment, beside me.

She settled into the seat, then tilted her head. “Is this the part where you take me home?”

“This is the part where I take you to dinner, Red.”

She raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing in her eyes. “How much do I owe you—”

“As long as you’re with me, don’t worry about paying for anything,” I interrupted, my voice firm but gentle. “I should’ve told you to leave your wallet at home.”

Her eyes widened slightly, something flickering in them before she gave me a soft, appreciative smile. “You’re too kind.” Her voice was quiet, almost uncertain. “I’m sorry, it’s just a bad habit to ask.”

I shrugged, playing it off like it wasn’t a big deal, even though her reaction settled in my chest. “It’s nothing, Red.”

But her words “bad habit” stuck with me.

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