Page 38 of Love, Take Two

"Ready?" I ask, adjusting my linen shirt over board shorts as Vada emerges from her room.

"Almost," she says, as she ties a cover up over a black bikini that makes my brain temporarily short-circuit. The top showcases curves I've been trying not to think about all week, while the bottoms sit low on her hips in a way that makes my mouth go dry.

“Christ, Vada," I breathe, my eyes traveling over her body before I can stop myself.

"You like it?" she asks with a smile that suggests she knows exactly what effect she's having on me.

"I more than like it," I say honestly, stepping closer until I can smell her perfume mixing with the ocean breeze through our open windows. "You look incredible."

"You clean up pretty well yourself," she replies, her hand briefly touching my chest in a gesture that sends heat straight through me. "Though I have a feeling this cover-up won't be staying on long."

The way she says it makes my pulse spike with anticipation for whatever tonight brings.

The other wedding guests mill around the elegant setup of The Crown, everyone looking effortlessly beautiful in the kind of resort wear that photographs perfectly in golden hour lighting. Derek appears beside us with his usual enthusiasm, though thankfully he seems more focused on the evening's mystery than on providing commentary about our obvious attraction.

"Anyone know what this 'sightseeing excursion' actually involves?" Maya asks, joining our small group with obvious curiosity about Erika's cryptic planning.

"Erika's been acting secretive," I said, noticing them talking to resort employees near a boat dock instead of the dinner area. "But the swimwear dress code hints we're doing something on the water."

"Water activities at night," Vada adds thoughtfully, her hand finding mine with the automatic ease that's characterized our entire week. "That's either very romantic or slightly concerning."

Before anyone can speculate further about the evening's plans, Erika approaches our group with obvious excitement.

"Ready for the most magical evening of the entire celebration?" she asks, gesturing toward the boat where catering staff are arranging elegant appetizers rather than a full dinner.

"Light fare," Vada notes with appreciation. "Smart choice for whatever you have planned."

"You'll see," Erika says with secretive satisfaction as we board the stunning catamaran.

As the boat begins moving toward open water, I settle beside Vada on the cushioned seating, hyperaware of every point where our bodies touch. Her cover-up has shifted, giving me glimpses of smooth skin and black fabric making concentrating on conversation practically impossible.

"So," she says quietly, accepting champagne while her free hand rests on my thigh, "any theories about tonight's destination?"

The casual touch makes thinking difficult, especially when her thumb starts tracing small patterns against my leg.

"Something requiring swimwear," I manage, my hand covering hers before she can drive me completely crazy with the gentle stroking. "Beyond the obvious, I'm trusting Erika's planning."

Twenty minutes into the cruise, we enter a secluded bay surrounded by dramatic cliffs and completely untouched by development. It's breathtakingly beautiful and completely private.

As our boat settles into the calm water, a gentle wave breaks against the hull. For one moment, there's a shimmer in the dark water—a faint trace of blue-green light flickering and disappearing so quickly I'm not sure I saw it.

"Did you see that?" someone whispers.

Another wave rolls toward shore, this one larger, and suddenly the water erupts in trails of electric blue light that spiral and dance where the wave breaks. The entire wedding party falls silent, mesmerized.

"Oh my god," Vada breathes beside me, her grip tightening on my hand.

A third wave builds, and this time when it crashes, the whole bay seems to come alive with ethereal light. Brilliant blue-green trails swirl through the dark water like liquid electricity, creating patterns that pulse and fade and reform.”

“Is this real?” someone gasps, and I realize the entire group is standing at the boat's railing, watching in stunned silence as nature performs magic right in front of us.

"Bioluminescent plankton," Erika finally explains, her voice filled with wonder despite having planned this surprise. "Microscopic organisms that create light when the water moves. It's completely safe to swim in…" her voice fades away as she is speechless.

But no one moves yet. We're all transfixed by the ongoing light show as the bay continues to pulse with otherworldly beauty. Every ripple creates new patterns, every gentle wave brings fresh spirals of electric blue that illuminate the dark water like scattered stars.

"I've never seen anything like this," Vada says with awe, and I can see tears of wonder in her eyes as another wave creates a particularly spectacular burst of light across the entire bay.

"Most people never do," Erika adds softly, never taking her eyes off of water. "We're lucky it's this strong tonight."

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