Page 18 of Unmoored

It’s easy to feel drawn to Eden’s coy flirtation, or even his hapless enthusiasm. But this is what I’ve been waiting for: the currents hidden in the depths. In this moment of unrestrained laughter, something raw and real glitters like a droplet of water when the clouds break.

Eden wipes his eyes and catches his breath. There it is: a sudden shift in his expression, like he’s hurrying to rearrange himself into a pretty, alluring version of himself. But then Eden starts giving me the weirdest look, which probably means I’ve been staring for too long… again.

“Hm?” I grunt.

Eden clears his throat, gently wrapping his hand around my arm. “Nothing. It’s just… you’re looking at me like I’m—” he suddenly cuts himself off, but not in time to stop the flash of something painful in his eyes.

I saw it earlier today. I might not know what Eden’s been through, exactly, but I’ve seen it before, too. A lot of people find their way to Sunrise Island when they need to heal.

“Mmm?” I hum, reaching for Eden’s hand.

He gives it to me with a startled glance, a flash of a tentative smile. A nervous quiver runs through him, and sparks race up my arm as I lace my fingers between his. I squeeze his hand as tightly as I dare… and I wait for whatever he’s ready to tell me.

Eden’s still staring down, with a troubled frown, like he’s trying to find words. When he finally looks up at me, I offer him a smile for strength. He smiles back at me, nervous but open. “It’s just… nice,” he says at last. “Being here.”

Thank god.

Mainlanders tend to have one of two reactions when they come here. Most of them think Sunrise Island is either a pretty day trip or a cult. But sometimes, newcomers set foot here and feel the same pull as the rest of us islanders.

If you’re supposed to be here, Sunrise Island calls you home.

“Glad you like the place,” I tell him, but before my chest can swell with pride, I catch Eden’s little smile. “Uh—you did mean being on Sunrise, right?”

Eden’s smile grows as he gently swings our intertwined hands back and forth. “I meant being here… on this date, with you. All of it’s nice.”

A blush creeps up the back of my neck as he beams up at me, and my chest floods with nervous excitement.

I hope Eden gives me the chance to learn everything about him. I want to get to know every version of him—grumpy, stubborn, polished, raw, demure, boisterous. I want to learn how they fit together. I want to be able to read the forecast on his face like water. I want to anticipate the currents underneath. And I think he’s one of the few people who could keep on surprising me along the way.

How the fuck do I say any of this to him?

Thanks? Yeah, that’s bad.I think you’re nice, too? Even worse.Thanks, glad you think I’m nice? Fuck, no.

“Good,” I finally manage, my voice hoarse. “I’m glad you’re here, too.”

Eden finally looks away, just glowing away as he studies the mailbox. “Mmm. So, was this the pretty view? Do you have a Canada Post fetish?”

I snort, shaking my head. “We’re close. It’s just down this path, if you’re still up for it.”

“Oh, yes! Take me, Captain,” Eden moans breathily, swaying his weight into me. Then he bats his lashes. “To the pretty view, that is.”

Hoooolyfuck. I know Eden’s just trying to get under my skin… but it doesn’t stop it from working. All I can do is gulp and shake my head, tugging him along toward the path.

“Thanks for the clarification. It’s very difficult to read you,” I tell him, straight-faced.

Eden dissolves into giggles, finally letting go of me to pick his way along the single-file path down to the ocean cove. “Stay close, so I don’t get lost.”

“Mmhmm. I’ll be right behind you,” I promise.

Every step of the way.

ChapterSix

EDEN

All of SunriseIsland is pretty, but this place might just be heaven.

Mud and rock pools stretch between us and the Pacific Ocean. Beyond them, the water rolls on and on, disappearing into the blue of the clear June sky. I can’t tell if it’s a shoreline I see in the distance, or just a mirage.

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