Page 198 of Banter & Blushes

The instructor chuckles. “You didn’t almost die. Take a minute, and we’ll try again.”

I shake my head. “No way. Sorry. I’m out. I’m a land mammal for a reason, apparently.”

The boat captain laughs as he helps me back on board.

“Bri?” Reid’s voice filters through my anxiety. “Hey, it’s okay.”

I drop the mask, and take off the flippers, my heart pounding. “I—I can’t. I’m sorry.”

He steps closer, eyes full of concern. “You’re okay. You don’t have to do it.”

The captain offers to stay on the boat with me, so I wave Reid away when he offers to cancel this excursion. I didn’t want to ruin his dive because I can’t handle it.

“I’ll be fine,” I say, sinking onto one of the benches. “Go be a majestic merman or whatever.”

Reid hesitates. “You sure?”

I nod, forcing a smile. “Positive.”

Once they’re gone, the silence and bobbing waves don’t help. My stomach churns in that warning way, and I glance at the boat captain nervously.

“Um . . . if I were going to be sick, where should I…?”

“Over the side,” he says casually, pointing. “But maybe not when they’re directly under the boat.”

My eyes widen. “I’m not about to throw up on Reid!”

The captain just chuckles and offers me a ginger chew. “It wouldn’t be the first time someone threw up out here,” he says.

I survive somehow. And when Reid comes back on board talking about the sea turtles and coral gardens, I pretend I’m not miserably jealous that my brain didn’t let me enjoy it with him.

“Hey,” he says gently when we get back to the resort. “You okay? You’ve been quiet since the boat.”

“Yeah. Just embarrassed.”

“Don’t be. I’m glad you tried.” He nudges me. “Besides, We can try snorkeling tomorrow instead. I’ve been told it’s more ‘sea cucumber-friendly.’”

I laugh, and he smiles like making me laugh was the best part of his day, not the underwater wonderland he got to see.

“I’m worn out.I think I could use a nap,” Reid says once we’re back in the room and changed.

“Me too,” I say, pulling back the covers on my bed and climbing in. “Want to leave the balcony door open a bit and let the breeze through?”

“Sounds good to me.” Reid goes over and opens the door some, allowing a soft ocean breeze to move through the room. “Get some rest,” he says, climbing into his own bed.

Exhaustion from the day, and the panic attack, has me falling asleep in minutes. When we wake up, it’s almost time for the luau we booked.

“What are you looking forward to the most?” Reid asks, buttoning his light blue shirt. He looks so handsome in his laid-back resort wear, his skin bronzed from the last few days in the sun.

“The fire dancers, I think. I’ve always wondered about that since I saw Lilo and Stitch.”

Reid laughs. “Only you would think of Disney movies in Hawaii.”

I shake my head and pin him with a fake glare. “Not true. Didn’t you see the Disney store at the airport?”

He shakes his head. “Okay, so, you and a bunch of little kids.”

I stick my tongue out at him. “I’ll never be too grown for kids’ movies.”

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